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String overlap on tuning post -- is this okay?
- Thread starter arepa_funk
- Start date
The overlap is per Ernie Balls' Installation instructions(Usually included in package).
Do these come with all EB strings or just the Cobalt Flats? I know there was an issue where those strings were breaking easily. It happened to me once. Those overlaps in picture 4 really bothers my OCD, even if its totally harmless.
Luckily I've almost never had an issue wrapping strings around the post the "normal" way in 25 years. I've only broken two strings when installing, the cobalt flats and a set of chromes, the latter was due to a sharp corner on the G tuning peg cutting the wrap open.
It's fine, but with that lack of attention to detail, I would probably go elsewhere next time. If I want sloppy string installation, I can do it myself lol.
I usually do a little better than that myself; I've occasionally done worse.
With non-tapered large posts, it's nice to cut for the optimal amount of wraps to get near the bottom – but avoid overlap. (I do it infrequently enough, I forget exactly what that optimal length is. I should really write that down somwewhere...)
The tapered posts make life a little easier – as does an angled headstock.
If that's how that shop does string changes, I'd hate to see what they do with more advanced tasks!
With non-tapered large posts, it's nice to cut for the optimal amount of wraps to get near the bottom – but avoid overlap. (I do it infrequently enough, I forget exactly what that optimal length is. I should really write that down somwewhere...)
The tapered posts make life a little easier – as does an angled headstock.
If that's how that shop does string changes, I'd hate to see what they do with more advanced tasks!
devnulljp
Supporting Member
First world problems
I don't see a problem with it unless it's causing an issue
I don't see a problem with it unless it's causing an issue
A long time ago when I was more naive, I let Guitar Center do some work on a bass for me. The tech also offered to install new strings and I said sure why not. Well when I got the bass back I noticed they only wound the string around the tuning post once for each string. One was barely a full wrap. It drove me nuts!
Even if I were to use a more reputable shop now I'd be afraid to let them install my strings. I've gotten quite good at it both functionally and aesthetically ( thanks to many years on TB ) to where any deviation would likely bother me.
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It's not about breaking, It's about slipping. Especially flats & especially the thinner strings.
I'm sorry, OP... when the pegs are wound this way, it immediately and completely wears out the bass and you have no choice left but to dispose of it properly. Luckily, I offer a proper disposal service. PM me for the shipping address and I'll get you squared right away.
Seriously though, no real problems here but I'm super disappointed by the sloppy winding job your shop did.
Seriously though, no real problems here but I'm super disappointed by the sloppy winding job your shop did.
Agreed. My usual shop closed after more than 10 years in business so I went to a new place. It's bothering me enough where I want to do it myself.
Correct, they didn't even do the EB method, it's just sloppy and not professional.
Correct, they didn't even do the EB method, it's just sloppy and not professional.
The 4 I can see are done per the EB method. The G string is impossible to tell from your pics.
If the shop was trying to follow the instructions for installing EB strings, it appears they did a sloppy job.
A string overlapped on itself as it is wrapped on the tuning post can create an inconsistent pitch change point when turning the tuning key if the overlap ends up exactly where the string leaves the tuning post heading toward the bridge.
If the string is coming directly off the tuning post, it’s unlikely there will be an inconsistent pitch change when tuning the string. To avoid inconsistent pitch change from a string overlap, the point of an intentional overlap should be in the first wrap or two of the string around the tuning post and the subsequent wraps should be directly against the post if possible.
A string overlapped on itself as it is wrapped on the tuning post can create an inconsistent pitch change point when turning the tuning key if the overlap ends up exactly where the string leaves the tuning post heading toward the bridge.
If the string is coming directly off the tuning post, it’s unlikely there will be an inconsistent pitch change when tuning the string. To avoid inconsistent pitch change from a string overlap, the point of an intentional overlap should be in the first wrap or two of the string around the tuning post and the subsequent wraps should be directly against the post if possible.
I do. If I pay someone money to do something, it should be well done and neat. Otherwise, why do they get paid to do it? If you hire a painter, is it ok that their lines are crappy and there are splatters of paint everywhere? It’s a first world problem to even have the luxury of someone to do this work for you in the first place, so I really don’t think that is relevant.
Slinky Flats are the only ones I've ever had that slip, no other brand in 35 years of stringing up basses.
If that were me, I'd detune each string one at a time until I had enough slack, then push the winds down to where they were laying nice and neat one wrap next to the next wrap and they come off the bottom of the post. No gaps,, and certainly no overlaps.
You have to remember, tuning is tension, the ability of the strings keys, bridge, the whole bass to maintain a given pounds/feet (or newton/meters) steadily. So you avoid everything that would allow the strings to slip or anything to move once tuned.
You want this . . .
. . . and NEVER this:
You have to remember, tuning is tension, the ability of the strings keys, bridge, the whole bass to maintain a given pounds/feet (or newton/meters) steadily. So you avoid everything that would allow the strings to slip or anything to move once tuned.
You want this . . .
. . . and NEVER this:
You've been lucky. Dogals(for one) make the same recommendation for their flats. some machine heads are lees prone to slipping.
Try to get the string winding at the lowest point on the tuning post. That's the best location for its performance going over the nut.
