E string too thick to fit through hole in bridge.

[PleromicPastry]

Help!! (j/k)

I just got a set of D'Addario nylon tapewounds for my acoustic Fender BG29. All the strings went in smoothly but I can't seem to get the E string all the way through the bridge hole.

What do you fellas recommend?

 

[Vinny_G]

Widen the hole.

 

[PleromicPastry]

That's what I was thinking but wanted to confirm with some experts. Thanks.

 

[Vinny_G]

I'm not an expert in bridges, but I don't see any other solution if you want to keep these strings.

 

[michael_t]

I'm not an expert in bridges, but I don't see any other solution if you want to keep these strings.

Would it affect anything if the ball end stuck out? Once it's tuned up to pitch, it would stay in one place securely, wouldn't it?

 

[PleromicPastry]

I'm not an expert in bridges, but I don't see any other solution if you want to keep these strings.

Well, I was thinking it might be suggested that I could remove the nylon near the base of the string if widening the hole wasn't a desirable option. I'll just see what others chime in with. I appreciate your input, Vinny.

 

[PleromicPastry]

Would it affect anything if the ball end stuck out? Once it's tuned up to pitch, it would stay in one place securely, wouldn't it?

So far it's staying in tune. It just looks like I'm a total newb (which I am) :blush:

 

[Vinny_G]

Would it affect anything if the ball end stuck out? Once it's tuned up to pitch, it would stay in one place securely, wouldn't it?

I guess. If the string is long enough and stays in tune, this shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Watchootognbout]

This happened to me twenty years ago.
I took a slightly larger drill and drilled the bridge hole larger.
End of problem.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Find a drill bit that fits the current hole and use the next size up and re-drill. If it still won't fit, step up to the next size up until the string fits.

 

[Mudfuzz]

You are just going to have to get a new bass to fit the string.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Isn't the thickest part of the string already through the hole?

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

It seems if anymore of the string goes through the hole, then the tapered, winding near the ball will be sitting on the saddle?

 

[stonetone7]

Isn't the thickest part of the string already through the hole?

That’s what I wondered. Maybe it’s the break angle that’s the issue?

 

[Watchootognbout]

It seems if anymore of the string goes through the hole, then the tapered, winding near the ball will be sitting on the saddle?

That’s what I wondered. Maybe it’s the break angle that’s the issue?

Look at the picture.

 

[TrevorR]

Well, I was thinking it might be suggested that I could remove the nylon near the base of the string if widening the hole wasn't a desirable option. I'll just see what others chime in with. I appreciate your input, Vinny.

That would have been my suggestion - the silk doesn't really do anything structural and it probably won't harm the string in any way. Though never done this with tapes so you may need to check out that the nylon tape remains anchored OK. Maybe leave some nylon on at the top and add a dab of superglue?

Used to do this with some string brands on my Wal where, with the silks on, it wouldn't sit properly in the bridge slots. Just take a razor blade or a sharp knife and gently and carefully slice along the silk wrapping and then pull it off/unwrap it.

Much rather do that than start reaming out the hole on the bridge!

 

[mellowgerman]

Well, I was thinking it might be suggested that I could remove the nylon near the base of the string if widening the hole wasn't a desirable option. I'll just see what others chime in with. I appreciate your input, Vinny.

Hi Vinny, I've stripped silk off of string ends with a razor to get them to fit through bridges on several occasions - most recently on my old Hagstrom Swede bass, with the E on a set of D'Addario flats. It won't hurt the string as the silk doesn't affect the string's structural integrity. Even if you ended up clipping the outer winding of the string a bit, there's a good chance the fact that it's behind the saddle, would still hold together just fine.
If you try it and it still doesn't fit, can always still drill then, but I would avoid it if I could.

 

[boxerrider]

I would open thee hole a little more. Work carefully to avoid splitting it.

Jeff

 

[iiipopes]

Like gebass6, I also had an acoustic electric bass with the same issue on the E string. A careful redrilling solved the issue.

To expand on the issue: won't it just be fine as it is? No. If you look carefully, the string also has a countersink for the ball which takes the tension. If you don't drill it so the ball seats properly, it creates a wedge effect that could split the bridge.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Look at the picture.

I am & it seems the thickest part of the spring is through the hole, hence the statement. I dont think those strings will work properly on that bass. The winding will be sitting on the saddle once the ball end is in the correct place.