A Reminder About Stringing..

[Pyrrho Epoche]

For anyone that has started stringing their bass themselves:
You will notice, the key is to let the ball end spin freely, while winding, until it seats itself upon the bridge. This method should relieve you of numerous and common string issues.

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___________________________


"I've been using the same brand of strings for years... Super Slinky 45-100. With almost every set I install, the E string has that out of phase/flanged sound. I've read up on this and it appears..."

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/string-phase-flange-wobble-etc.1341745/

 

[WestyBassBob]

For anyone that has started stringing their bass themselves:
You will notice, the key is to let the ball end spin freely, while winding, until it seats itself upon the bridge. This method should relieve you of numerous and common string issues.

​

___________________________


"I've been using the same brand of strings for years... Super Slinky 45-100. With almost every set I install, the E string has that out of phase/flanged sound. I've read up on this and it appears..."

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/string-phase-flange-wobble-etc.1341745/

Never really thought about this but it makes sense. I’ve always ignored the ball end while focusing on getting those windings set right. First time I strung a bass I got the E string cross wound. That will definitely mess with your tubing.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Never really thought about this but it makes sense. I’ve always ignored the ball end while focusing on getting those windings set right. First time I strung a bass I got the E string cross wound. That will definitely mess with your tubing.

That is another good reminder; when winding, finish at the base of the post--not at the top or cross (overlap) windings

 

[Geri O]

For anyone that has started stringing their bass themselves:
You will notice, the key is to let the ball end spin freely, while winding, until it seats itself upon the bridge. This method should relieve you of numerous and common string issues.

​

___________________________


"I've been using the same brand of strings for years... Super Slinky 45-100. With almost every set I install, the E string has that out of phase/flanged sound. I've read up on this and it appears..."

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/string-phase-flange-wobble-etc.1341745/

Also, if one strings through the body, as I do with the B string only (That's how Mike Lulls are equipped), the string won't spin freely at the ball end, so be mindful of keeping the string straight as it's wound onto the tuner.

And setting witness points is an important part of my string changing process. Not everyone agrees with me, but the good news here is that...

Not everyone has to......

 

[micahwc]

I watched some video years ago by a guy who had a lot of good guitar setup videos; he had one about bass strings. He said to ensure the string is as straight and untwisted as possible when you wind it. So I basically pull the ball tight against the bridge and then install my strings, careful to keep the string from twisting. I've never had any issues with them doing this.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I watched some video years ago by a guy who had a lot of good guitar setup videos; he had one about bass strings. He said to ensure the string is as straight and untwisted as possible when you wind it. So I basically pull the ball tight against the bridge and then install my strings, careful to keep the string from twisting. I've never had any issues with them doing this.

If you don't notice any difference, then don't worry about it. I've tried both ways and after restringing, the warbling on the lower strings stops.

 

[Elmstreet]

What's the trick with bridges that hold the ball end from moving?

I have a bass that I am constantly having this issue with. I read up on it and realize it's likely due to string twisting.

I try my best to keep the string straight but I'm usually successful at it about 50% of the time.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

What's the trick with bridges that hold the ball end from moving?

I have a bass that I am constantly having this issue with. I read up on it and realize it's likely due to string twisting.

I try my best to keep the string straight but I'm usually successful at it about 50% of the time.

If I understand your question: The key is NOT to try to keep them straight. Leave the ball end hang, South of the bridge and let it move freely until you wind enough that it grabs the bridge, right at the end of your winding. This will ensure that there is absolutely no twisting.

 

[Boneless]

What I do with this style of bass is what Pyrrho Epoche right above me said, with the added step of straightening/ensuring the string is straight right before it latches onto the bridge, by pressing the string between thumb and index finger and sliding my fingers from the nut to the bridge, and let the string untwist itself. Sometimes the bridge will force the string to twist a little bit, because it likes the ball end at a certain angle, and nothing you can do with the above will straighten the string, so in this case, while the string has latched on to the bridge but with not much tension otherwise I get a small size Allen key, slide it into the ball end and rotate the ball end to where it should be. Then carry on winding the string, checking for any more rotation.

These bridges are crap. I shaging hate them.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

I’ve never paid attention to the ball end, but also never noticed any flanger warble. I hate stringing, really does a number on my wrist making all those turns.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I’ve never paid attention to the ball end, but also never noticed any flanger warble. I hate stringing, really does a number on my wrist making all those turns.

I have one of these for my battery drill, but never use it.
It works well though!

Amazon.com: Ducks Deluxe Twin Power String Winder for Guitars & Basses - ABS Plastic - Fits 1/4" Hex Screwdriver : Musical Instruments

Buy Ducks Deluxe Twin Power String Winder for Guitars & Basses - ABS Plastic - Fits 1/4" Hex Screwdriver: String Winders - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I never do that and I can swap a set of strings on a 4 string in about 15 minutes. I string it all the way through the bridge (or body) and snip off a bit at the top before winding it around (and downwar) the tuning machine

 

[mdogs]

45 years of stringing basses and have never done any of these things. Never heard of any of these things until Talkbass, I must either be magical or these things are wildly overblown. Come to think of it, both could be true.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

45 years of stringing basses and have never done any of these things. Never heard of any of these things until Talkbass, I must either be magical or these things are wildly overblown. Come to think of it, both could be true.

Funny, I have been doing my own installing for 20+ years and wondered why after a couple weeks or so, my strings started to warble. I would just replace them---I thought they were just dead. So, I reinstalled them and let the ball ends hang below the bridge, until they touched on their own... and no more warbling! My guess is they were just twisted ever so slightly.
Post in thread 'String Phase/Flange/Wobble, etc' https://www.talkbass.com/threads/string-phase-flange-wobble-etc.1341745/#post-21274348

 

[Killing Floor]

45 years of stringing basses and have never done any of these things. Never heard of any of these things until Talkbass, I must either be magical or these things are wildly overblown. Come to think of it, both could be true.

Same.

If half the things that happen to strings on TalkBass happened in real life business would close eventually.

 

[Boneless]

Roundwounds are very tolerant of mounting errors. Flats (traditional ones at least) are much stiffer and will complain if even a slight twist develops. I am convinced that setting witness points is superfluous and, with flats, it can be even harmful (I had to throw away a set of LaBellas because of this), but string twist can and does cause issues. On some basses more than others. I had a Peavey T-40 that particularly hated twisted strings, even rounds.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

The more I think about this, how are you all stringing your bass in a way that DOESN’T allow the ball end to hang free?

When I string my bass, I hold the string like this to keep the string tight from the tuning post and keep the wraps spiraling down. But doing this also inherently puts the slack of the sting back towards the bridge. I’ve found this to be all but necessary to keep the string from just unraveling off the post as you tighten it. Not saying it’s the “right” way, it just seems to work for me. So, for those who’ve had the twists form, how do/did you put your strings on?

 

[Brian Patterson]

The more I think about this, how are you all stringing your bass in a way that DOESN’T allow the ball end to hang free?

When I string my bass, I hold the string like this to keep the string tight from the tuning post and keep the wraps spiraling down. But doing this also inherently puts the slack of the sting back towards the bridge. I’ve found this to be all but necessary to keep the string from just unraveling off the post as you tighten it. Not saying it’s the “right” way, it just seems to work for me. So, for those who’ve had the twists form, how do/did you put your strings on?

View attachment 7005235

I follow this approach too - on the Hipshot KickAss bridge, however, you must orient the ball end somewhat vertically and to one side of the cavity to allow room for a screwdriver to make intonation adjustments. Otherwise a different position will block access...

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

The more I think about this, how are you all stringing your bass in a way that DOESN’T allow the ball end to hang free?

When I string my bass, I hold the string like this to keep the string tight from the tuning post and keep the wraps spiraling down. But doing this also inherently puts the slack of the sting back towards the bridge. I’ve found this to be all but necessary to keep the string from just unraveling off the post as you tighten it. Not saying it’s the “right” way, it just seems to work for me. So, for those who’ve had the twists form, how do/did you put your strings on?

View attachment 7005235

For years, I did the same as you, but had the slack in the middle and kept the ball end tight up against the base of the bridge.

 

[covermego]

And as a bonus, tape a piece of paper from the bottom of the bridge down past the strap button. One more way of keeping those ball ends from scratching your finish.