I guess I was due... made a bonehead move!

[Wood and Wire]

Most of the big name string manufacturers are very understanding, and willing to go the extra mile, if you politely email their customer service.

Explain that you mismeasured, and incorrectly cut the string slightly to short, and ask if you can purchase a single string directly from them, as you've had no luck finding a store that will sell you a single.

In all likelihood, they'll send you a free string (if you're really nice, and self deprecating, you'll sometimes get an additional complete set of strings thrown in for free).

I've had great experiences with both D'Addario, and Rotosound customer service in that regard, and Ernie Ball Music Man have a great customer service reputation, so I'd be surprised if that doesn't extend to Ernie Ball strings.

 

[zuma]

If it's cut after the nut, could you just extend it?

View attachment 7216856

That's a simple square knot. This is G string and it's stable, it is thinner but there's no reason why same wouldn't work with A string.

EDIT: Oh, I see you found that single string online, cool.

What is this sorcery! Dang! I'm gonna have to try this.

It's definitely after the nut. What happened was quite comical. I measured the E string using the "2 tuners past" method, installed it, then moved on to the A and measured the same way, but guess what? I measured as if it were still the E string! D'oh! In effect, I only went "one tuner past". At first, it seemed like it would still work, but every time I got up to F# or so, it slipped and popped out.

 

[Isaac_James]

If you haven't already bought one, you might try reaching out to Ernie Ball. I did the same thing recently with a D'Addario string, couldn't find a single for sale anywhere so I reached out to the company. They just sent me a replacement at no charge.

 

[zuma]

If you haven't already bought one, you might try reaching out to Ernie Ball. I did the same thing recently with a D'Addario string, couldn't find a single for sale anywhere so I reached out to the company. They just sent me a replacement at no charge.

Hopefully there won't be a next time, but yeah, this is a good suggestion. I already bought a replacement though.

 

[Isaac_James]

Hopefully there won't be a next time, but yeah, this is a good suggestion. I already bought a replacement though.

Glad you found a solution. Hopefully there won't be a next time, but just in case, it's good to know that string companies are usually pretty cool about sending replacements if something goes wrong.

 

[zuma]

Most of the big name string manufacturers are very understanding, and willing to go the extra mile, if you politely email their customer service.

Explain that you mismeasured, and incorrectly cut the string slightly to short, and ask if you can purchase a single string directly from them, as you've had no luck finding a store that will sell you a single.

In all likelihood, they'll send you a free string (if you're really nice, and self deprecating, you'll sometimes get an additional complete set of strings thrown in for free).

I've had great experiences with both D'Addario, and Rotosound customer service in that regard, and Ernie Ball Music Man have a great customer service reputation, so I'd be surprised if that doesn't extend to Ernie Ball strings.

You're totally right. I should've thought of that. I should have pleaded "Big Poppa" Sterling Ball for mercy.

 

[zuma]

If it's cut after the nut, could you just extend it?

View attachment 7216856

That's a simple square knot. This is G string and it's stable, it is thinner but there's no reason why same wouldn't work with A string.

EDIT: Oh, I see you found that single string online, cool.

@RattleSnack you are the man! THIS WORKED. I've been playing for 20 minutes now and these Cobalt are rock solid in tune, even the patched up A! What a blast! I'll post pics soon.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I've done that. Now I take the Norm Abram advice and measure twice, cut once.

 

[zuma]

@RattleSnack you are the man! THIS WORKED. I've been playing for 20 minutes now and these Cobalt are rock solid in tune, even the patched up A! What a blast! I'll post pics soon.

Wish I had tried this before ordering my single yesterday. I guess I'll have to order 3 more singles and make a set! Anyhow, PICS! -->


Doing this is hard on the fingertips. This knot was tight enough. Pulling it up to tension will tighten it further.

Tuned and clipped. It kind of goes with the punk aesthetic of this bass.

And here's a shot to just to show you it is indeed an SB-1, despite the SB-2 decal. It's some kind of Leo prototype but that's a story for another day.

 

[zuma]

Just in case you needed further proof that this tying method works, here's a video! Thanks again @RattleSnack ! You saved the day. I was able to use the bass I had in mind to for my weekly video.

 

[RattleSnack]

Very glad it worked out, and I liked that video. Go zuma

 

[tindrum]

Just in case you needed further proof that this tying method works, here's a video! Thanks again @RattleSnack ! You saved the day. I was able to use the bass I had in mind to for my weekly video.

Sounds great! I know you are an Aria SB guy like myself so do yourself a favor and try those Cobalt rounds on your SB-1000. I’ve been using them on mine for a couple of years now and they’re a perfect fit.

 

[zuma]

Sounds great! I know you are an Aria SB guy like myself so do yourself a favor and try those Cobalt rounds on your SB-1000. I’ve been using them on mine for a couple of years now and they’re a perfect fit.

I just tried a set of "cheap" Fender 7250Ms on my red SB-1000. I was pleasantly surprised! As for the Cobalts, I'll be completing the set with the other three strings now! As they are not a cheap set, what kind of longevity are you getting out of them? Based on what I hear with the G&L, I think your suggestion is a good one.

 

[tindrum]

I just tried a set of "cheap" Fender 7250Ms on my red SB-1000. I was pleasantly surprised! As for the Cobalts, I'll be completing the set with the other three strings now! As they are not a cheap set, what kind of longevity are you getting out of them? Based on what I hear with the G&L, I think your suggestion is a good one.

Their longevity is really, really exceptional. Cheap in the end really as they last so long. I usually get mine on Amazon as the price is way cheaper there. The past few sets I bought were like $23 bucks a set which is nuts. They definitely were not counterfeit either.