Little plastic thing on Superflexible D's

[JimmyM]

On my first set of Superflexibles, I got a D string with a little blue piece of plastic surrounding the string by the silks near the tailpiece. I broke a D last week and ordered another one. This time it's clear but it's still there.

My question is what purpose does it serve and why isn't it on all the strings?

[hdiddy]

It's a tone filter of some sort. Spirocore sets come with one too. I think the tube goes where the string contacts the bridge. I think it's supposed to reduce some high pitch stuff. I forget. You can search here and find out what it does.

[reedo35]

Hdiddy is right,sort of. The tubing serves a dual purpose as it muffles some of the high freq twang that can sometimes be too agressive ( especially on Spirocores)and it provides a cushion for the bridge. I have seen strings cut deeper into the bridge over time.

[Francois Blais]

I've read elsewhere it goes (still on the D string) in the pegbox, over the A string peg I think, to prevent damage to the D string, to make it slip freely.

Several months ago, I've asked TI for spares of these pieces of tubing, describing them as filters, and they didn't comment on their function.

I myself think of (and use) them as tone filters.

Regards,
François

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by francois

I've read elsewhere it goes (still on the D string) in the pegbox, over the A string peg I think, to prevent damage to the D string, to make it slip freely.
Regards,
François

That's interesting, I never heard of that, but it makes sense, as that is the area where strings usually break.

[JimmyM]

Thanks for the answers. I think I will do with the new string what I did with the old one...ignore it

[Jake deVilliers]

I think its to be used as a bushing on the A string roller to protect the string.

If it was to protect the bridge or cut down the banjo twang, surely the G string would have one too!