Just few months old , suddenly snap itself while practicing with band mate ...... Great sounding flatwound bass string, but still suffer with unsolved issue.
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Snap again the Ernie ball Cobalt flat at tuning post.
- Thread starter Yahboy
- Start date
About a year ago, I had a D string break while I was playing. Broke over the body though, not at the machine head. I emailed EB customer service and they sent me out a new full set of strings, no questions asked. Never had any other issues with the cobalts, flat or round wound.
So this isn't the first time you've had one break?
So this isn't the first time you've had one break?
Your thread title says “snap again”. Does this mean it’s happened before…same string, same place?
If so, there is probably a sharp edge on that peg that should be rounded off before re-stringing.
If so, there is probably a sharp edge on that peg that should be rounded off before re-stringing.
I’ve had this happen many times on my fender basses. Based on my experience, the cause is the string/silk getting nagged on the string retainer. When you get to a certain string tension, the string cannot slip past the retainer. You end up tightening the portion between the tuner and the retainer until the string snaps.
I have solved the problem by putting a spacer under the string retainer (along with a longer screw to compensate). This lowers the break angle over the nut and also reduces the sharp angle where the string contracts the retainer.
Others have solved the issue by smoothing the under surface on the retainer itself to reduce the catch on the string.
I have solved the problem by putting a spacer under the string retainer (along with a longer screw to compensate). This lowers the break angle over the nut and also reduces the sharp angle where the string contracts the retainer.
Others have solved the issue by smoothing the under surface on the retainer itself to reduce the catch on the string.
Here is a thread from earlier:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/pu...t-flatwound-strings-on-fender-basses.1642005/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/pu...t-flatwound-strings-on-fender-basses.1642005/
Been happened on D string previously......
Not snap on first warp, so not sharp edge on the peg cause issue. I have a set on my another J since 2018, still sound great and strong.
Not that it helps but I use the Ernie Ball install instructions where the insertion point runs-back across itself before starting the wraps. Also, don't cut / trim the string. Not exactly sure why it works but it does...or is supposed to.
Riis
Riis
It sounds like that Matt Freeman is pissed about having flats on it.
Dude, zoom in on that tuner. It’s as sharp and jagged like a knife! I’ve never seen one so bad! No wonder you are breaking strings, change to new tuners and you won’t have any issues.
Yup.
EB Cobalt flats are my most used string since they came out ~ 10 years ago.
But the snapped G (and occasional D) is all too common.
It's the only string I can remember ever breaking up to that point.
It's usually when I'm bringing the string back up to pitch after performing some kind of maintenance; (replacing Pickups or adding pickup foam, etc).
EB said "you're not supposed to do that" but did send a replacement.
I didn't bother contacting them the last couple times...
I've never had this happen with any other string over several decades.
That's partly what prompted me to try other types of flats - and recently, TI has become my most used string.
To preserve the silks, (especially on Cobalts) I tune the G & D up to 1/2 step flat, then slip the string under the retainer.
Same if I remove strings; I press down on the string at the retainer.
I think there's more going on with these; I think the core gets "fatigued" going around the post, or inconsistencies in the metal?
It just seems way too delicate / too little tolerance to snap like that.
And it's not like I would start cranking the tuning post to bring a string up to its final pitch - I would absolutely notice that.
EB Cobalt flats are my most used string since they came out ~ 10 years ago.
But the snapped G (and occasional D) is all too common.
It's the only string I can remember ever breaking up to that point.
It's usually when I'm bringing the string back up to pitch after performing some kind of maintenance; (replacing Pickups or adding pickup foam, etc).
EB said "you're not supposed to do that" but did send a replacement.
I didn't bother contacting them the last couple times...
I've never had this happen with any other string over several decades.
That's partly what prompted me to try other types of flats - and recently, TI has become my most used string.
To preserve the silks, (especially on Cobalts) I tune the G & D up to 1/2 step flat, then slip the string under the retainer.
Same if I remove strings; I press down on the string at the retainer.
I think there's more going on with these; I think the core gets "fatigued" going around the post, or inconsistencies in the metal?
It just seems way too delicate / too little tolerance to snap like that.
And it's not like I would start cranking the tuning post to bring a string up to its final pitch - I would absolutely notice that.
I already mention that break point are not on the first wrap while the string bend on peg edge. It happens on last wrap which dint contact with the peg edge at all.
I already mention that break point are not on the first wrap while the string bend on peg edge. It happens on last wrap which dint contact with the peg edge at all.
Previous snap D string happen on Ray 4 and Cort GB74JJ. Both has different tuning machine.
IME, EB Cobalt Flats are fairly delicate in terms of breaking from repeated bending stress / fatigue. Based on a weird sound, I think I've broken the core at the bridge from overdoing the "set the witness point" thing. And I've broken the core at the tuner from a little too much repeated "stretch the string" shenanigans. They're not so delicate to be unusable IMHO, but I try to treat them like I better not give them more than one or maybe two times at stress point: put them on and barely if not at all set the witness point, don't detune too far or too many times or yank on them too much if you need to adjust the truss rod, and probably don't expect you can take them off and put them on another bass later.
Those are my recommendations for myself anyway with these strings.
Those are my recommendations for myself anyway with these strings.
I've had this happen a few times on the electric. Once right when I put them on!
I switched it over to an acoustic bass that doesn't get played so rough , great tones and hopefully won't happen on again . Maybe the tension of the acoustic allows it to live a little.
After the couple times it's happened I swore ernie ball off, ontop of corrosion issues.
Ernie ball rep said something like "this almost never happens to ernie ball strings" meanwhile it happened to me 3x with 3 different basses
- Apr 18, 2008
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It may or may not be due to a sharp edge on your tuner post.
But it certainly wouldn't hurt to file a bit of a chamfer into that edge, just in case. Doesn't cost anything. Doesn't hurt anything.
