Just changed an E string for the first time (a Golden Slap to a Rockabilly) and got there eventually, but in the process of installing, the very end of the string started to unwind a little so I now have about an inch of metal winding sticking out the end. Is that normal, or have I inadvertently ruined the string before I finished fitting it by setting it off unwinding its core? Thanks for any opinions, sorry if this should be in Setup and Repair
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Double Bass Changing strings for 1st time...question!
- Thread starter RockinBones
- Start date
Just wrap something (silk or some other textile thread) around so that the metal winding cannot unravel more. Sometimes I use a piece of thin rubber tube with a hole slightly thinner than the strings diameter and move it over the unraveling position, keeping the metal winding inside the tube (i.e. if the winding is broken at the bridge).
Some drops of elastic glue may do the job too.
Your choice...
Some drops of elastic glue may do the job too.
Your choice...
Is it unraveling in the pegbox? DoubleMIDI's rubber tube idea is a good one. If it's in the pegbox, then a piece of heat-shrink tubing would work well if you have access to one. An alternative would be to wrap the end with a piece of electrical tape.
Thanks for that, have used some cotton wrapped round it several times and i'll put some electrical tape round that just to double it up. Cheers for the advice. New string plays much better at the higher tension anyway so it was worth it!
I didn't recommend heat shrink tube since the Innovations use a synthetic core.
For steel strings (no synthetics or gut, even inside) I would prefer the heat shrink tube.
I think the best would be silk or something similar. You can use as much or little as needed and it is very light. You can glue the fiber/thread ends to the rest of the silk or whatever you used for the winding.
I don't think you need electrical tape if you fix the ends with some glue.
I also heard that teflon tube (from a motorbiking shop) is good for the strings to glide over the bridge. I haven't tested it myself yet, but it is on top of my list of thing to try.
For steel strings (no synthetics or gut, even inside) I would prefer the heat shrink tube.
I think the best would be silk or something similar. You can use as much or little as needed and it is very light. You can glue the fiber/thread ends to the rest of the silk or whatever you used for the winding.
I don't think you need electrical tape if you fix the ends with some glue.
I also heard that teflon tube (from a motorbiking shop) is good for the strings to glide over the bridge. I haven't tested it myself yet, but it is on top of my list of thing to try.
