Could my tuners be severing the wrap on my strings?

[StrivingOn]

Just put a lightly used set of TI Super Alloys back on my Fernandez P Bass and the wrap on the G string separated making it not able to be wound up to pitch without slipping. Then, the same thing happened on the D string. So I dug into my spares and put on another G and D. The G is okay but the wrap on the D did the same thing. The edges of the slot in the tuner do seem rather sharp, but not unlike those on another Fernandez Jazz I have and I've never had a problem like this with it. Is this a drawback of trying to reuse strings or does it sound like my tuners need to be worked on or replaced? Anyone experience anything like this? Sucks to have a fairly new set of pricey strings and no single replacements available. I really liked the way they sounded too.

 

[michael_t]

Would you be able to provide a close up photo of the tuner posts for G and D?

Also, are you making sure those strings are the proper length for the bass, meaning only the tapered (or silked) ends are wrapping around the post, not the main body of the string?

 

[StrivingOn]

Here's some pics of both sides of the D tuner. Looking at it this close up its pretty gnarly and probably could cause the cut to the wrap. The third pic is one of the damaged strings.

 

[michael_t]

The edges of the slot in the tuner do seem rather sharp...
Is this a drawback of trying to reuse strings or does it sound like my tuners need to be worked on or replaced?

Looking at it this close up its pretty gnarly and probably could cause the cut to the wrap.

Thanks for the pics.

Looking at the second pic, I would say those rough edges on the post, combined with the fact these are used strings being re-installed, could well be the cause of the breakage. You might be able to file down those edges and make them smoother.

 

[StrivingOn]

I found a good deal on a used set so I'm just going to replace them. I might clean them up to have as a backup set. I'm paranoid about ruining any more pricey strings. Thanks for participating!

 

[Dropped D]

Those edges could do with some light filing. Easy to get back in shape and always nice to have spare bass parts. A set of small files can be found fairly cheap and always nice to have in the tool box.

For a quick fix you could wrap each half of the tuner with electrical tape to cover the sharp edges.

 

[iiipopes]

Yes, those edges on the tuner posts definitely need to be chamfered.

 

[StrivingOn]

So I got a new set of Gotoh tuners and went to install a new set of Chromes and damn if the same thing happened to the wrap on the G and D strings! What am I doing wrong? I calculate the length needed using the three fingers method, bend the string to a right angle, cut it about an inch down and then stick it in the tuner hole and begin wrapping. It has to be operator error but I don't know what to change in the process.