Double Bass Loop-end strings and afterlengths- does it matter?

[RBrownBass]

I know (or have read here) that basses are often set up (tail wire length adjustment or adjustable tailpiece or shims on the tailpiece) so that the afterlengths ring (when plucked) at a certain interval relative to the open string. But loop-style strings don't exactly break over the "nut" of the tailpiece the same way regular ball-end strings do no matter which way you loop them, so the vibrating afterlength of a loop string will/may be different from a ball-end string on the same tailpiece/wire and bass. When (If- have not yet done so) you're trying out a set of loop strings like Velvet Blues, is there any way to compensate for this without adjusting (replacing) the tailwire? I can't imagine that someone rewires their tailpiece every time they decide to go from a ball string to a loop string. What about both types on the same instrument?

Thanks a bunch to anyone who can answer these questions...

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You cannot use the length of the afterlength to determine pitch. The windings spread in the afterlength, so you get less mass and therefor a higher pitch than expected. It's different for every string, probably even for a replacement string of the same kind.

But the interval hasn't to be exact, I think.

There are tuneable tailpieces for that, but they wouldn't work with loop end strings mounted in the suggested way. But you may make a knot in the loop and put a metal rod in the shortened loop for a ball end behind the tailpiece. You might want to slide some tube over the loop before you knot, knot so that the tube is in the part close to the playable part of the string, put the short rod (maybe with a groove in the middle) and slide the tube towards the rod to fix it to the loop.

 

[robobass]

I like this, but I wonder if some kind of plastic ring would be an idea, as you wouldn't want to load up the tailpiece with metal. Looking at McMaster.com, you can get 7/16"x1/8" PTFE O-rings, but they might not be strong enough. They have 3/16" thick rings with a 1" diameter, which ought to work. Maybe there's something in the hardware store designed for hanging curtains or something?

 

[jasonrp]

With my guts I use really heavy rubber bushings that I got in the plumbing section. I believe it is the O-ring you put in your faucet valves to keep them from dripping. Works great and pretty cheap. I don't worry about my afterlength tuning too much but I'm not a big fan of looping the strings around the tailpiece so I got the bushings.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I thought of a rod of 2 to 3 mm diameter and about 1 cm length. Lighter than most ball ends and used with Innovation strings.

 

[RBrownBass]

I like this, but I wonder if some kind of plastic ring would be an idea, as you wouldn't want to load up the tailpiece with metal. Looking at McMaster.com, you can get 7/16"x1/8" PTFE O-rings, but they might not be strong enough. They have 3/16" thick rings with a 1" diameter, which ought to work. Maybe there's something in the hardware store designed for hanging curtains or something?

Las night I thought of a wood dowel about 1" long, about 1/2" diameter, with a slot cut around its circumference so the string wouldn't move on the dowel. The dowel would do the same job as the standard metal ball or yo-yo. If I try the strings, that'll probably be what I do...

 

[DoubleMIDI]

For a wooden dowel 1 cm length and 6 mm diameter should work as long as it is a harder wood.

 

[RBrownBass]

For a wooden dowel 1 cm length and 6 mm diameter should work as long as it is a harder wood.

Thanks! I knew I'd seen it somewhere before when it came into my head, but I wasn't sure where.