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MTD Headless
- Thread starter Oatybass
- Start date
It's kind of hard to tell from the picture. A close up picture of the headpiece might give a bit more insight, but it looks like your headpiece has the hex-head grub screws just above where the ball ends go, and if that's the case then I believe you already can use normal single ball end strings.
More #'s: Zero fret > bridge saddle (864 mm) + zero fret > headstock retainer (28 mm) + bridge saddle > claw dead-center (28 mm) = 920 mm
You said you're ~ 3 mm short so, if you're lying, I'm swearing to it. There's an upside: the Hipshot clamp-downs are pretty durn good and I would not hesitate to install a set of conventional roundwounds. That being said, I appreciate the convenience of double ball-ends and wouldn't mind snagging a 5 string set for my 34" Bogart.
Best wishes with the project and looking forward to the builder's response. Feel free to use the #'s I've provided for illustration.
Riis
DJmtd
Commercial User
- Feb 18, 2025
- 247
- 660
- 39
- Disclosures
- I work for MTD Bass, formerly employed by Vigier!
Hey just saw this thread. You can always email me at [email protected] I'm not Daniel Tobias, btw.
We use LaBella strings. I can't speak to any other string manufacturers. As others have said, I wouldn't sweat stressing the clamp downs and you need less pressure than you might think to keep the strings in place. I do understand not wanting the cut off ends poking out though.
Edited: Looks like Mike has been involved with Donovan from FretSpot and OP from the start.
We use LaBella strings. I can't speak to any other string manufacturers. As others have said, I wouldn't sweat stressing the clamp downs and you need less pressure than you might think to keep the strings in place. I do understand not wanting the cut off ends poking out though.
Edited: Looks like Mike has been involved with Donovan from FretSpot and OP from the start.
Last edited:
Hi Dj. Donovan emailed me overnight and apparently LaBella has some strings I can try. My main question is are these Custom Length sets, if so that is not very impractical for someone living in Australia to keep up with. Secondly, I play Nickel strings on all my basses, are these LaBella sets Nickel? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Ric, yes you are correct, it can use the cut and screw down method. Unfortunately I hate this, the ends are so sharp that I prick my fingers easily. It also shreds the inside of the gig bag.
This what I found for LaBella double ball-ends....lengths are included in the narrative:
Again, I would try the clamp-downs. Have a junk set of strings in your parts drawer?
Riis
Thanks. Unfortunately no 'junk' strings, but next change from another bass I will try.This what I found for LaBella double ball-ends....lengths are included in the narrative:
Again, I would try the clamp-downs. Have a junk set of strings in your parts drawer?
Riis
Very interesting. Those string lengths listed will not fit my MTD headless. Lets see what length they come too me.This what I found for LaBella double ball-ends....lengths are included in the narrative:
Again, I would try the clamp-downs. Have a junk set of strings in your parts drawer?
Riis
In the meantime, you could put the old set in a Tupperware with denatured alcohol, let them soak overnight, wipe down and reinstall.
Not rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, a cleaning product found in hardware and paint stores. Not sure what you would call it in Australia.
This might not be a bad idea for all your used double ball end sets, since they might be hard to source. At least you'll always have spares.
Not rubbing alcohol, denatured alcohol, a cleaning product found in hardware and paint stores. Not sure what you would call it in Australia.
This might not be a bad idea for all your used double ball end sets, since they might be hard to source. At least you'll always have spares.
DJmtd
Commercial User
- Feb 18, 2025
- 247
- 660
- 39
- Disclosures
- I work for MTD Bass, formerly employed by Vigier!
They are not custom strings. Since we've never has this issue from another headless player, I'd be shocked if you're the first one to try D'Addarios on their bass. Although it's possible of course!
I believe LaBella's double ball ends are all stainless, but I'm not 100% sure to be honest. I only work with and not for LaBella. Did you communicate to Donovan that you prefer to use Nickel?
I understand your position re: cutting single ball strings. However, using single ball end strings with the clamp is a direct solution to your concern that you need special strings. You can cut them VERY close to the clamp. This is an example of an Ibanez with no strings poking out, the same principle could be used on your bass:
Even if the D'Addarios you have on hand fit correctly, to my knowledge (please someone correct me if I'm wrong) there's only three or four manufacturers of double ball end bass strings. I count LaBella, GHS, RotoSound and D'Addario in my research. Each of those manufacturers only offers one or two options, and the majority of those options are stainless. I only mention this because no matter what way you slice it, double ball end strings are specialty items with limited availability and options. I believe this is your primary concern regarding the strings not fitting. If I'm misreading, please correct me.
I called D'Addario yesterday because this whole thing has me vexed. According to the person I spoke to, there should be basically no variance in the string length because they make all the double ball bass gauges on the same machine in order to avoid this exact problem. Every string should be 36 7/8" long. The measurements you have mentioned they fall well short of that.
Is there any chance these D'Addarios were not legit? They are some of the most commonly counterfeit strings as I understand it. If they came from Amazon or the like, I would be a little dubious. Do you have photos of the packaging?
Shoot me a PM or email and I'll give you the contact info of the person I spoke to at D'Addario. He might be able to shed some additional light on the situation. I don't want to post his email publicly because of all the spam that comes from that.
I know FretSpot and MTD only want to make sure this bass is everything you'd hoped it would be. Believe me, we all know the frustration of waiting a long time for something and the experience being different than expected, but there are always solutions.
DJ , yes I mentioned to Donovan that I use Nickel strings. I do not think these strings that do not fit are 'fake', I can only do my best. The packaging looks correct. I bought them from an online music shop. Packaging photo attached. Regarding there length, see attached photo of the E vs D string length difference. I'm not making this up.
I think you are suggesting I am overly picky or difficult. I do not believe this is a fair suggestion.
To your first point. After Michael's request I measured the string lengths and they are not the same. I then (as requested) measured the distance from the 'head' string retainer to the bridge saddle retainer, It measures 922 mm, Michael himself responded MTD has no strings (DBL Ball) longer than 919mm.
To you point on "less choice if you buy a headless bass". I actually prefer another brand of strings on my basses other than the options available, But I will go with a reasonable quality nickel coated double ball end string, hence my choice of D'Addario NYXL coated strings. Let me be really frank here ... at no time in the buying process did anyone explain to me "look you are buying a headless bass here and that means compromises. You will have very limited string brands and material choices... you may have to cut the ends and have sharp exposed ends on your bass" Had that happened in any way, I would NOT have purchased this bass. I will add, this is a $9000 AUD purchase of a premium bass.
I do get frustrated (I imagine others would also) when AFTER the sale, the customer is then explained "there are only few string choices and difficulties with this type bass".
I genuine welcome any help you can provide, but I have a $9k bass here, that now comes with a load of caveats attached after the purchase.
Attachments
UPDATE:
Thank you to everyone who offered help and suggestions. After 3 weeks of back and forth the outcome is Custom Made Strings from LaBella. I don't want this solution, but it looks like 'bad luck' is the response from. both FretSpot and MTD. They are organising some custom sets of strings to solve the short term problem. The long term problem is mine.
This is the bass
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