How to make silks look good for ever.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Spray them with Plasti-dip spray that has been sitting in the garage for a year, let dry, enjoy. Even swap them on other Basses with out fraying. There is a downside though, it makes them Black


A D'addarrio Chrome Flatwound, normally Blue threads


Black matches my Bass, but it is available in other colors

 

[Bassic Playing]

Awesome, I've wondered about this ever since I began using rotosounds.

Thank you

 

[billgwx]

Frayed silk == mojo

I don't fret too much about it--if the silks get too frayed I just trim them back with some scissors.

 

[MICKUSS]

I burn off the stray fuzzies with a lighter.

 

[Root 5]

When the spray dries, are there any cracks when you wind them onto the tuner?

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I would think that any light poly clear coat would work just fine.

Alternatively, clear nail polish could work.

 

[fbny71]

I've used super glue...couple of drops between my thumb and index finger then just twist the silked end through quickly.

As an added bonus you get fake callouses!

 

[FourBanger]

Sound good first. I don't think this is the kind of issue the 'greats' have ever worried about.

 

[Bassamatic]

Wouldn't some hair spray do the trick??

 

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

When the spray dries, are there any cracks when you wind them onto the tuner?

Not that I've noticed with one swap. Im sure it would start to after a while if you swapped them a lot, but probably no worse than the silk would fray.

I would think that any light poly clear coat would work just fine.

Alternatively, clear nail polish could work.

The main reason I do it, is to change the color. If i did it strictly to secure the threads, I probably would have used some clear poly or shelac spray. There is enough of that stuff here.

Sound good first. I don't think this is the kind of issue the 'greats' have ever worried about.

As if the post has anything closely related to my sound, technique or experience

I posted it here, so the "not so greats" (You included) can have access to it and see what some one else has done. Maybe someone will benefit from this, maybe not.

Remember this thread?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/silk-wraps-strings-even-vs-staggered-913176/
What I posted in this one, is a solution to yours.

 

[FourBanger]

You'll have to excuse my crabbiness earlier. I had a fall down some stairs earlier in the week and tried to go last night without the muscle relaxers, hence I did not sleep well at all.

It was one of those parent's worst nightmare moments, falling while carrying your child. I did manage to allow her to fall on me and escape without harm, to her anyhow, though it meant I hit unbraced with an additional 30lbs landing on top of me.

So, a round on me, and here's to getting your bass exactly how you want it.

 

[Bass-Babe]

Spray them with Plasti-dip spray that has been sitting in the garage for a year, let dry, enjoy. Even swap them on other Basses with out fraying. There is a downside though, it makes them Black


A D'addarrio Chrome Flatwound, normally Blue threads
View attachment 322592

Black matches my Bass, but it is available in other colors

This just solved a problem with some ugly lime green silks on a black bass.

 

[GTHintz]

Ok this might be the answer to unsilked strings that i want to coat so my tuners dont get scuffed up.

 

[michael_t]

Ok this might be the answer to unsilked strings that i want to coat so my tuners dont get scuffed up.

So, are you saying silk on strings DOES protect hardware, contrary to the claim by some people it's purely cosmetic?

 

[GTHintz]

So, are you saying silk on strings DOES protect hardware, contrary to the claim by some people it's purely cosmetic?

You know that common ymmv slogan on here. That applies here. Certain strings definitely scuff up tuner pegs and that's why ive always liked silk on strings. Ive actually witnessed a couple instances on my basses. Enough so that Im leery of black tuners because i know what happens when you wear through the finish. Gold looks pretty bad too when you wear into the metal underneath. The worst strings for that I've noticed are Warwick red label roundwounds. They used to have silk but unsilked its really rough on your fingers as well as the tuner. Just stringing them reminds me of working with old bailing wire. Aside from that they don't sound terrible though.