You suppose this is how Elixir got started?

[pi_r_squared]

Not sure if the fact that it even crossed my mind to try this is to embarrassing to post or not

ok, I built a fretless neck, it's not anything to brag about, but it functions (mostly) and wanted to mess around with tapewounds or something similar.

I was cleaning up a bunch of stuff, and in a bizarre twist of fate I ended up with a cheap set of Musicians Gear strings and a can of urethane in my hands at the same time.

Then I had an idea, or maybe it was just gas, too soon to tell I think.

Long story short....

Dip strings in urethane, air dry, repeat. Not sure what made me try this, I expected the strings to just go "whump" when I played them.

I strung one string "as is", still had ridges from the shape of the windings....pleasant surprise is, it actually had some sustain. Took it off, wet sanded it with 220, finished with 800 grit, still looked like a round wound string, but feels like glass. Did the same to the rest of the strings. I think each was dipped 3 times (maybe shoulda stopped at 2?) I need to find my dial calipers and see how big they actually got, I picked up an extra topnut and opened it up a little to accommodate them.

As crazy as this sounds, and I'm sure it sounds PLENTY crazy, I've been playing it on and off for a couple weeks, with no sign of losing the coating and they have a pretty cool feel to them.

Wait, it gets even goofier.

I didn't finish the neck, just some mineral oil. I was applying some to the back of the neck and got a little on the strings, wiped off all I could, but there was still a slight coating on the strings. This is probably sooooo wrong, but the feel is really cool.

I keep waiting for each string to "shed it's skin" like a snake, but they haven't yet.

Anyone else (who's willing to admit it? ) ever tried this? or am I alone in this insanity?

[joe vegas]

cool. man. doesn't sound "crazy" 'round this sector... if it WORKS, and you took care and time to try it, and you're getting something you LIKE sonically, congrats!!!
way too often ('specially in these "difficult times"®) we're subtly meant to feel like we have to tow the established aesthetic/technical party line, lest we suffer inevitable waves of chuckling condescension by... whoever. you obviously went with your intuition, and it seemed to have worked out.
all i can say is, don't be embarrassed. far from it. clips, please!

[spaz21387]

sounds like a cool idea to me. They might be better then elixers the older elixers felt like they were slimey. the new trial ones felt nice and not overly slimey.

[pi_r_squared]

I'd never compare these to Elixirs. They are WAY mellower, still might completely shed the coating in a couple weeks, and I doubt you could ever use them with frets, I'll see if my mp3 recorder can handle the low end when I get to use my big amp at rehearsal on wednesday, practice amp here sounds like crap when I try to record from it.

Bear in mind, I'm a COMPLETE noob when if comes to fretless, so you might have to plug your ears as far as the pitch is concerned.

[BogeyBass]

Well how wacky is that.

Im sure you have to understand that your opinion is biased a little, since it was your crazy idea, and your proud of it.

And yah for the most part, a coated string has to be coated with something.
And their is only so many coatings available. Most likely the "magic"
polymer is something close to plain jane finishes. Maybe they worked on the formula a little and application method. Maybe it is just urethane. and the secret application and drying process is what make the difference

So heck who knows, most likely the finish is holding up now, in a while in will start to peel and wear. Just like the real ones do.

But i think corrosion and dirt has been a strings known enemy for awhile, and it was a matter of time before someone said. Hey what if we just coat the strings? just like someone thought, Hey what would happen if we just plated the strings with Nickel. And so far what i understand nickel wound strings stand up the best.

[pi_r_squared]

Bogey,

To be honest, I've wondered about how a polymer (a natural dampener?) doesn't completely deaden the strings, or how filling all the voids with a polymer isn't as bad as filling them with dirt? I realize neither is the case, or elixirs would never work as well as they do.

I thought I was ending up with something like your picture, as it turns out, I ended up with strings completely encapsulated in urethane, more like some strange sort of smooth tapewounds (but with more sustain?). I think if I were to try this again I might lighten up a little on the coating. Unless by some strange chance the coating actually lasts a respectable time, then I'd probably try to repeat whatever I did te first time (if it turns out I like them).