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Ball Ends Too Large for Thru Body Bass

benevan

benevan

May 2, 2002
598
461
Texas
#1
Recently got a Hagstrom H8-II 8-string and decided to put a new set of SIT strings on and immediately ran into a problem...

53487477088_5bcafc4267_k.jpg


The ball end on the octave strings won't fit in the thru body holes. The hole for the bass strings is big enough but not the octaves. Has anyone else run into this problem? My first string thru body bass and didn't even realize this could be a problem. I have reached out to SIT to see if they may offer a set that will work but I am guessing not.

I also have a set of Pyramid flats for this and the ball ends on all of those strings are smaller and will fit this bass, and of course the strings that came with the bass fit, but now I am a bit concerned. Is this a common issue for thru body basses? Is there a way to know what ball size various manufacturers use?

Since this is a bit of a niche instrument it may take a few sets/gauges before I settle in on what works best for me. With this added uncertainty really don’t want to throw a lot of money at string sets that may or may not even fit.
 
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#3
benevan said:
Recently got a Hagstrom H8-II 8-string and decided to put a new set of SIT strings on and immediately ran into a problem...

53487477088_5bcafc4267_k.jpg


The ball end on the octave strings won't fit in the thru body holes. The hole for the bass strings is big enough but not the octaves. Has anyone else run into this problem? My first string thru body bass and didn't even realize this could be a problem. I have reached out to SIT to see if they may offer a set that will work but I am guessing not.

I also have a set of Pyramid flats for this and the ball ends on all of those strings are smaller and will fit this bass, and of course the strings that came with the bass fit, but now I am a bit concerned. Is this a common issue for thru body basses? Is there a way to know what ball size various manufacturers use?

Since this is a bit of a niche instrument it may take a few sets/gauges before I settle in on what works best for me. With this added uncertainty really don’t want to throw a lot of money at string sets that may or may not even fit.
Click to expand...
Does a guitar string fit? as in, do guitar ball ends get caught by the octave string ferrules?
If so, there would be two useful implications:
- you can use a file to patiently file down one side of the problematic ball end, until you can remove it out of the string end loop. Then, replace it with an old guitar ball end. It doesn't matter if the loop is now too large for the ball: tension will keep everything in place (I had to do the above, in the past, and can attest to it working);
- you don't have to use prepackaged 8-string sets. Just get a 4-string short-scale bass set of your liking, and complete it with guitar strings (rounds or flats) of appropriate gauge (the bottom four from a guitar set will be long enough and work just fine).
 
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#4
michael_t said:
I really don't think that will affect anything negatively. It's not crucial that the ball end actually sits inside the recess except for the cosmetic aspect of it. I wouldn't worry about it.
Click to expand...
Eh, it would fit in the case odd, resting on the ball ends, not sure how it would interact with my belt/belly...

I think I would rather just use strings that fit...
 
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#5
HaphAsSard said:
Does a guitar string fit? as in, do guitar ball ends get caught by the octave string ferrules?
If so, there would be two useful implications:
- you can use a file to patiently file down one side of the problematic ball end, until you can remove it out of the string end loop. Then, replace it with an old guitar ball end. It doesn't matter if the loop is now too large for the ball: tension will keep everything in place (I had to do the above, in the past, and can attest to it working);
- you don't have to use prepackaged 8-string sets. Just get a 4-string short-scale bass set of your liking, and complete it with guitar strings (rounds or flats) of appropriate gauge (the bottom four from a guitar set will be long enough and work just fine).
Click to expand...
So I checked and a guitar string fits. I have a set of D'Addario's with a wound G I was going to install on my strat which seem to fit but the two middle strings are not quite long enough. With the thru body and long headstock on this bass, I could have some trouble finding guitar strings long enough for this. Barritone strings perhaps, as they are typically longer scale then standard guitar? Picollo bass, but there aren't many options for that and still could have an issue with the ball end?

I could of course buy custom/individual strings, but if I get bass strings, I know the length will be fine, but the ball end size could be a problem. Is there any way to know what ball end size the manufacturers use?

Hagstrom offers a set specific to this bass, but it seems to be nearly unobtanium. There is one listed on Reverb but it is quite expensive.
 
#7
benevan said:
not quite long enough
Click to expand...
Not long enough how? Does the bare core reach the post, at least? Or not even that?

Yes, I would expect baritone guitar strings to be a little longer. Of course, gauges should be in the ballpark of those in the S.I.T. set. For example, the top three from the Fender Super 250B6 would be right gauge-wise, and plenty long (they're made for the in-line headstock of the Fender/Squier Bass VI).

But seriously, consider just replacing the ball ends of the SIT trebles with smaller balls.
 
#9
The point of doing that is you buy a 4 string bass string set, and 4 individual guitar strings or 2/3rds of a guitar set - it makes finding strings easier. Hagstrom did you a favor.
 
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#11
benevan said:
Recently got a Hagstrom H8-II 8-string and decided to put a new set of SIT strings on and immediately ran into a problem...

53487477088_5bcafc4267_k.jpg


The ball end on the octave strings won't fit in the thru body holes. The hole for the bass strings is big enough but not the octaves. Has anyone else run into this problem? My first string thru body bass and didn't even realize this could be a problem. I have reached out to SIT to see if they may offer a set that will work but I am guessing not.

I also have a set of Pyramid flats for this and the ball ends on all of those strings are smaller and will fit this bass, and of course the strings that came with the bass fit, but now I am a bit concerned. Is this a common issue for thru body basses? Is there a way to know what ball size various manufacturers use?

Since this is a bit of a niche instrument it may take a few sets/gauges before I settle in on what works best for me. With this added uncertainty really don’t want to throw a lot of money at string sets that may or may not even fit.
Click to expand...

Not this specific issue, but I have a 2006 MIG Warwick Corvette STD 5 string. the channel on the tailpiece is too narrow for a non-tapered B string. The windings at the ball end diameter of the string is too large. I called Warwick-Framus customer service about this for a replacement with a larger channel. They said they were all cut this way and to find a machine shop and have them mill it out to suit.

Just to make sure I didn’t give you any ideas, DO NOT TRY to drill out and open that ferrule while it is in the bass. If you try that anyway, you have been warned.
 
#17
HaphAsSard said:
Not long enough how? Does the bare core reach the post, at least? Or not even that?

Yes, I would expect baritone guitar strings to be a little longer. Of course, gauges should be in the ballpark of those in the S.I.T. set. For example, the top three from the Fender Super 250B6 would be right gauge-wise, and plenty long (they're made for the in-line headstock of the Fender/Squier Bass VI).

But seriously, consider just replacing the ball ends of the SIT trebles with smaller balls.
Click to expand...
The guitar strings reach the post, but not enough left to wrap around.

I like your suggestion about replacing the ball ends, might give that a shot next.
 
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