• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass New strings too long!! (on Aria EUB)

S

Skribble

Jan 3, 2008
51
0
Bristol, Englandshire
#1
Hi all.

I've just bought a set of Helicore hybrids for my Aria EUB (41" scale) and they're just a tad too long - the silk starts about an inch or so behind the roller.

If I fit them, I'll end up with about 3/4 of a turn of the full thickness of the string wrapped round the roller. I know this isn't ideal but is it really a major problem?

There doesn't seem to any way to take up the excess string length at the tailpiece end.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? How did you get around it?

Cheers

Dave
 
#3
Francois Blais said:
Ehr, you mean they're too short, don't you?
Click to expand...

No, they're definitley too long. If I thread the string though the tail piece and lay it along the neck, the silked, tapered end that is supposed to wrap around the roller begins about an inch past where the string meets the roller/tuning post.

Does that make more sense?

I suppose what I'm really asking is will the string be damaged if I wind the full thickness string (as opposed to the silk winding) around the tuning post?
I know it's not ideal but I've done it out of necessity with bass guitar strings without the string breaking.

Thanks

Dave

Dave
 
#4
There's always a chance that it will break prematurely by doing that, but I think if you just wind it carefully you shouldn't have any problems right now. I can't say what will happen after a few months or a year with the string wrapped like that, but it should be fine for a while.
 
#5
Ok.
As long as you don't pass the metal wound part into the tuner, that's fine.
I leave about two inches of the silked part, and pass it into the tuner's hole, leaving the metal part outside.
Once tuned, I get several turns of the metal wound part around the tuner.
There's no problem with that.

Hope this helps,
François
 
#10
jcater said:
Still dithering between Thomastik spirocore and helicore hybrids.

How are the Helicores going? Anyone any other advice

jeff
Click to expand...

Hi Jeff.

The helicores are still going strong! I sometimes miss the more defined (read: electric) E of the strings that came with the bass but the reduced tension and increased growl more than make up for it.

Anyone using synthetic gut on their EUB? I quite fancy giving those a go at some point.

Dave
 
#11
Dave

I bought the Helicores - Yes they are slightly too long but not really a problem. There is a definite growl with these strings which is very attractive to my ears, but played very softly with the right hand i find the sound even better.

Difficult to recommend these over any other strings as I have not been able to try other options, (rotosound on my double bass).

Overall for anyone with the Aria I don't think you will be dissapointed if you change to the Helicores. The Aria is now being used as first choics in my country / rock & roll band over the Fenders & Stingray.

Jeff
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back