Tying/splicing gut strings

[George700DL]

Anyone have a cool way of tying/splicing a broken [plain] gut string? I've seen plenty of basses with knots on the strings behind the bridge or the nut. Just wondering what the most effective, low-profile knot/splice would be.

My G broke last night at the nut, so I'm thinking about flipping it around and extending it behind the bridge (a knot between the tailpiece and the bridge).

This bass will be used in a performance in less than 2 weeks, so I'm trying to be creative here .

In the mean time, I'll shop for a replacement/backup.

Anyone been through this before?

George

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey George, what you need is a Carrick Bend, as shown here: http://www.animatedknots.com/carrick...matedknots.com

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Hey George, what you need is a Carrick Bend, as shown here: http://www.animatedknots.com/carrick...matedknots.com

Perfect!

Thanks Jake

[james condino]

I prefer the double fisherman's knot. It usually holds to about 85% of the breaking strength of the knotted material and will work for steel strings too! I use the same thing for the kevlar or other flexible style tailguts.


http://www.animatedknots.com/doublef...matedknots.com


j.

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by james condino

I prefer the double fisherman's knot. It usually holds to about 85% of the breaking strength of the knotted material and will work for steel strings too! I use the same thing for the kevlar or other flexible style tailguts.


http://www.animatedknots.com/doublef...matedknots.com


j.

We'll see just how much string I'll have to work with

[Nathan Parker]

A little off-topic, but I think I could spend hours on that knot website. I know it's a bit nerdy, but that is some spiffy stuff.

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by Nathan Parker

A little off-topic, but I think I could spend hours on that knot website. I know it's a bit nerdy, but that is some spiffy stuff.

It's pretty cool.

I've tied knots on gut strings before (other people's basses), and the strength of the knot was never really an issue - the issue was placement. Not much wiggle room. For this reason I never cut any extra string - I wind the whole thing on the peg, knowing that I'll be splicing it at some point .

George

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Hey George, what you need is a Carrick Bend, as shown here: http://www.animatedknots.com/carrick...matedknots.com

I used a simpler knot - wanted to use as little of the string as possible. Here:



So much for tuning the afterlength. Now the bass has proper village character...

Once again, physical force triumphed over brain power .

George

[juuzek]

Originally Posted by George700DL

It's pretty cool.

...I never cut any extra string - I wind the whole thing on the peg, knowing that I'll be splicing it at some point .

George

A guitar playing friend does the same. Many times he has broken the string and been able to knot the string, or retie the ball to the 'new' end.
Never tried this with a bass string. As a gut player, it's good to know it can be done!

One question- how did it break? You play arco, mostly, if I am not mistaken?

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by juuzek

A guitar playing friend does the same. Many times he has broken the string and been able to knot the string, or retie the ball to the 'new' end.
Never tried this with a bass string. As a gut player, it's good to know it can be done!

One question- how did it break? You play arco, mostly, if I am not mistaken?

Yes, arco, most of the time. It happened in the middle of the night when I was sleeping. It broke at the nut.. I suspected a combination of sharp edge and the air-conditioner being turned to 68 degrees - there is a duct near the bass.

But the string groove is very smooth with no sharp edges. So I covered the A/C duct, tied the string, and we'll see. It could have been a defective string as well, it's a no-name that I paid for with cash.

Speaking of guitars - I read BB King winds the whole string also.

George