Too thick?

BIGEJ2 · #1 10-06-2011, 01:22 PM

Never had this problem before. Just bought a set of D'Addario ECB81 strings for my EBMM SR5. The thread wrapped around the bottom of the low B string before the ball is too thick to fit through the bridge. I have used these strings on 4-string Fenders with no problem.

Any advice on making it work without damaging the bridge?

NKUSigEp · #2 10-06-2011, 01:27 PM

Take the bridge off and drill out the hole with a bit that's just ever-so-slightly larger and try it. Still too small? Try next size larger bit.

Or just use different strings on that bass.

5StringFool · #3 10-06-2011, 01:27 PM

The Chromes have a .132 low B, which is the fattest one I've ever had to deal with. Even if you remove the thread it may still be too big to fit through, I've had this happen to me on a couple of basses I owned. Honestly on my Schecter there was no other way but to take a drill bit and slightly enlarge the hole that the string fed through in order to get it to fit. It was definitely a modification to the bridge, but it didn't damage it.

Lo-E · #4 10-06-2011, 01:32 PM

If removing the silk doesn't get you enough clearance, I'd just use a different B string.

There are some basses I wouldn't hesitate to drill out but, personally, I wouldn't drill out a MMSR5. I imagine you can get a .128 single from somebody. Juststrings.com, maybe?

5StringFool · #5 10-06-2011, 01:35 PM

For D'Addario Chromes there is no other option for a 5 string, it's .132 or nothing. You could go to a different string gauge, but you'd have to mix string types or brands.

BIGEJ2 · #6 10-06-2011, 01:54 PM

Thanks guys. I may just order a different set for that bass and use the other 4 strings on something else.

Any recommendations on a set of flats that have a nice warm mellow sound without breaking the bank?

knuckle_head · #7 10-06-2011, 02:09 PM

FWIW - you can drill out a hole quite large and still have the ball end hold.

3/16" is quite safe.

Jay2U · #8 10-06-2011, 04:24 PM

I'm puzzled.

If it doesn't fit through the bridge, then how about the nut?

mmbongo · #9 10-06-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2U

I'm puzzled.

If it doesn't fit through the bridge, then how about the nut?

The ball end does not go at the nut!

5StringFool · #10 10-06-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2U

I'm puzzled.

If it doesn't fit through the bridge, then how about the nut?

I've had to file the nut slot slightly on the 5vers that I've put Chromes on to get the string to seat properly in the nut.

What kills me is why D'Addario makes the low B on a set of Chromes so flippin' huge. You don't run into this problems installing Chromes on a 4 banger because you have the option of several different gauges. Seems to me they would do the same for 5 string players, but no dice.

OOZMAN · #11 10-06-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringFool

I've had to file the nut slot slightly on the 5vers that I've put Chromes on to get the string to seat properly in the nut.

What kills me is why D'Addario makes the low B on a set of Chromes so flippin' huge. You don't run into this problems installing Chromes on a 4 banger because you have the option of several different gauges. Seems to me they would do the same for 5 string players, but no dice.

.132 isnt huge?

darkstorm · #12 10-06-2011, 09:20 PM

A good round narrow metal file, (rat tail style?) can also be used to make the holes a little bigger if you dont got a metal drill bit. I had to do that on a bass a few yrs ago.

5StringFool · #13 10-06-2011, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOZMAN

.132 isnt huge?

There are a few that are larger in diameter, but .132 is still larger than the B string on most 5 string sets that I've seen.

OOZMAN · #14 10-06-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5StringFool

There are a few that are larger in diameter, but .132 is still larger than the B string on most 5 string sets that I've seen.

A normal B would be considered a .130, .002 of a difference is a veeeeeery small amount.. I've just purchased a set with a .182, that would be considered large

SLaPiNFuNK · #15 10-07-2011, 01:05 AM

OP did you attempt to cut off the silk by the ball end? It is not keeping the windings on or anything like that, just cut and unravel is slowly if worried...

There are some other flatwound strings that are in the price range for a 5 string set of D'Addario.

Jay2U · #16 10-07-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

The ball end does not go at the nut!

I thought it was about the string not fitting through the hole in the bridge.

FunkMetalBass · #17 10-07-2011, 12:25 PM

Considering EB makes bass strings with a .135 B (no silk), there shouldn't be an issue fitting in a .132 string. Why D'Addario puts silk on a .135 B-string is the question.

OP, take the silk off. Problem solved.

knuckle_head · #18 10-07-2011, 12:40 PM

FWIW - unless it is a tapered B string there is a more-than-good chance that the string will be way in excess of .132 at the ball end. It will have the core twist which will be a minimum of twice the core diameter, and then the overwraps to secure the windings.

Silk is the least of concerns, and in fact will likely tear away on the mounting of the string if that is the only thing impeding it's seating properly.

5StringFool · #19 10-07-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knuckle_head

FWIW - unless it is a tapered B string there is a more-than-good chance that the string will be way in excess of .132 at the ball end. It will have the core twist which will be a minimum of twice the core diameter, and then the overwraps to secure the windings.

Silk is the least of concerns, and in fact will likely tear away on the mounting of the string if that is the only thing impeding it's seating properly.

This is exactly the case with the D'Addario Chromes .132 B string. I removed the silk on one of my basses and it still wasn't even close to slimming it down enough to fit the ball end in the bridge.