How to Sting a Bass

[Buster666]

I have seen a whole smear of How to Videos on the web and they all seem to miss one or two things that I find vital to a good restring. I wish I had photos to illustrate what are hard to show in text.

First, I always put a sharp 90d bend in the end of the string about 2-1/2" past the Post before I clip off the end. This prevents the string from unwinging itself from the core. Not as big a potentiality on hex core strings, but why take chances?

Second, because most strings are wound clockwise looking down the string from the barrel or ferule end, I give the string a CW turn to tighten the wrap before I feed the clipped end into the post hole.

Third, and this is where I need a picture, I wrap the first rotation on top, INOW, going toward the sky, then cross over that first wrap and start winding down toward the ground, which locks the second turn over the first turn. This prevents the string from slipping on the post in the future. Visualise a dancer "On the Pole" at your local Gentleman's Club.

Fourth, I pull a lot of tension on the string as I finish tightening the string. Next I really press hard on the string where it goes over the top of the tailpiece adjuster to get a sharp bend there.

Fifth, I tune all the strings at least a half-step high to put a lot of tension on the system and leave it for five or ten minutes to "Set the Neck" before attempting to fine tune it.

 

[Jaco who?]

I like to use wasps, but there are some folks around here that think yellow jackets do a more thorough job.

 

[markdavid]

I like to use wasps, but there are some folks around here that think yellow jackets do a more thorough job.

I thought the exact same thing when I read the title but you beat me to it

 

[Buster666]

My ignorance is unbounded. What are wasps and yellowjackets?
Non'Catholics? Sleeping Pills?

 

[PSPookie]

My ignorance is unbounded. What are wasps and yellowjackets?
Non'Catholics? Sleeping Pills?

You wrote 'Sting' in the thread title.

 

[Buster666]

Duh! I get it now. I can't spell rite because I went to 2 much college and got a MA in English Lit..

But I thought Jimmy Haslip was the bass player in the Yellow Jackets. Wasn't Sting the gut in the Police. Some one call the cops.

 

[Sundogue]

I tend to kink the right angle and cut the strings about 4" - 4.5" past the post to get the string to wrap around enough times to force the last wrap all the way down to the bottom of the post. This gives the strings the sharpest downward angle going past the nut.

I also do not wrap the string around the post by hand. I let the tuning key turn the post so it pulls the string from my hand as I guide it under the previous loop. Wrapping the string around the post by hand may be quicker but it puts twists in the string.

 

[Jim C]

I like the 90 degree bend and also start the wind at the bottom of the post; down force is good especialy with a Fender IMO.
As the string starts to wind around the post, I will hold the striung up off the fretboard (with my third hand) and allow the tension to unwind at the bridge ...
Like allowing a yo-yo string to unwrap and come to rest so as not to create extra torsional twist on the strings
Hey, ya gotta worry about this stuff when you rarely change both the round wound and flats every few years!

 

[PJSShearer]

I string my basses in much the same way but don't go sharp - I give each string a strong slow pull away from the fretboard and then retune - do that three or four times a couple of hours before the gig and a quick tune up before you hit the stand will get you to the first break.