Yesterday I put new La Bella MUS flats on my Sire U5, using thru-body stringing, and replaced a light set of round rounds, strung via the back of the bridge. The flats had a possible problem - the silks on some strings extended over some of the saddles! Apparently, the U5 bridge location is closer to the thru-body ferrules than is the case on Mustang basses, which these flats were designed to fit. I emailed the vendor and LaBella for replacements thinking the silks on the ball ends were maybe not to spec and continued to work on the problem. This morning, I cut the end balls off of a set of old strings and restrung the flats using the end balls as spacers on top of the original end balls. Result: more metal string over the saddles, better sustain, and total body vibration. And with the flats, I was additionally able to lower the action! Have any of you ever had this silk-on-saddle issue? Is it a real problem?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Silks on Saddles , Problem or Not...
- Thread starter EDH37855
- Start date
I never allowed it to happen, also using spacers, but there are pictures of JPJ's J with silk past the saddles so it might be worth trying!
If your silk doesn't extend that far, a little sliver of something between the saddle and string might work.
If your silk doesn't extend that far, a little sliver of something between the saddle and string might work.
Thanks for your note, though I'm thinking you're seeing and talking about other types of flatwound strings and silks where having silks over saddles may be tolerable. I wonder what that sounds like relative to solid string over the saddle, as well. And I'm not clear on your sliver comment, whether that would be useful for ensuring silks go over a saddle, or whether it might be helpful by preventing that as spacers do.
Might be a very small affect on the string but not a lot. It isn’t ideal. You can peel it back if you want. Silk doesn’t have a mechanical function.
It's definitely maybe a problem or maybe not.
None of my preferred string sets, flats and rounds, have sicks at the ball ends. Coincidence? I don't know.
None of my preferred string sets, flats and rounds, have sicks at the ball ends. Coincidence? I don't know.
Last edited:
i've used a sharp razor blade (the kind meant for shaving/straight razor) to cut back silks before. works great. worth the effort.
I though LaBella Flats didn’t like the string through method because the break angle over the saddle was too severe. Maybe only specific models of LaBellas? Sorry if I’m off base on this…just going from vague memory.
I remember from an old bass I had LaBella sells some strings specifically designated for Through body stringing for this reason. Maybe these strings are the same?
The -TB (through-body) sets are fine (obvs), but so is the -MUS, discussed in the OP (classic Mustang models are strung through the body), as well as the LTF (Low Tension Flats: they're flexible enough not to risk breakage at the saddle when strung thru).
Metal-to-metal contact needed to ground strings happens where the ball ends are seated against the tail of the bridge base plate.
My 1978 Musicmaster with TI Flats has been like that for a couple years. No an issue whatsoever. It'll always be like that!
I razor the the silk off if crossing the saddle. I'm more concerned with the wire over-wrap crossing the saddle as seen on the D string in pic #1.
Riis
Riis
