Felt pads on strings. Should I leave them on?

[funkythumb]

For over the last decade, I've never used the felt pads at the ball end of the string. Someone gave me that advice eons ago.
I recently had a TB member advise me to keep them on.
I just finished putting on my first pair of Evah Weichs, night and day from the Spiros I've used. Lots more bottom on the D and G strings.
I put the felt pads on the G,D and A and accidentally forgot to put the felt on the E.
MY QUESTION: Is there a sonic difference in leaving these pads on or off?

[Marcus Johnson]

I guess a blindfold test would be the only way to find out for sure. My Evah Weichs, a really early set, actually came without the washer. I had some laying around from previous Pirastro strings, so I just stuck it on there. The set is really well balanced, so I've just left it alone. Whether the washer acts as a damper, I really don't know.

I guess if they are feeling and sounding good, I'd just leave them alone. But then, I hate changing strings!

[Francois Blais]

I think they're just meant to prevent nicks on the tailpiece wood from the metal balls.

[funkythumb]

I figured that they're used as buffer between the wood and metal.
....I hate changing strings too, Marcus...ugg...pain in the ass.

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey Funk, you're in a unique position to do a back to back comparison of an E string without/with a felt washer.

Please report back!

[funkythumb]

So far, the only thing I notice is that the E is alot easier to bow BUT I believe that that's only the case because of the new set up conditions. I'll put the felt back on and see if anything changes. ugg...if I have to take all of them off.
Here's another question. My G string sounds like it's got loose fibers inside the string. Pizz is good. Arco is fine except that it's a much, much different tone than the other strings; a much brighter sound that comes right out of the string in the lower register straight into my ear. The other strings, when bowed, sound like they're at a further distance away.
Do I have a bad string? I'm thinking of taking the bass to my local luthier to have him tweak the bridge. I guess he can tell.
Any advice?

[Francois Blais]

The string is probably still stretching; give it a few days to settle in.
Actually, two weeks is about the minimum delay to get a clear idea of the result.
(it's longer with synthetic core and gut than with steel)