Strings "Rolling" During Play

[dexplosion]

Have any of you experienced strings "rolling" under your fingers while playing?

What I mean by rolling is it feels like the string is twisting when you run your finger up and down perpindicular to the string. I guess it's hard to explain.

Any one know what causes that? I haven't had that happen on my bass personally, but recently I played someone elses guitar, and it was like that.

 

[elgecko]

Insufficent string tension...some heavier gauge strings should improve the situation.

 

[playerunk]

i got that only on a guitar with nylon strings

but i guess if you have enough friction and the string is loose enough you can roll it D)

 

[Chasarms]

It is a little more common on DB. Especially with guts and other low-tension strings. I have had it happen to me if I pick up a bass guitar with lights on it. With some lights, I have even pulled the G off the edge of the FB!!!!

The biggest concern with it is if you are rolling the strings, you almost certainly playing out of tune. You get used to the low tension pretty quickly though. It's no big deal.

 

[JimmyM]

TI Jazz Flats are notorious for that. Have no idea what causes it, or even if it's really rolling, but I hate it.

 

[Craig_S]

Round core strings roll far more than hex core. DR Low Riders and D'Addario XL are hex core strings. I'm sure there are others.

 

[jasper383]

I had that really bad with a set of Pyramid Flats. Eventually changed the strings.

I also get that a little with Sunbeams.

Both these are round core strings. Correlation or causation?

 

[sub~waver]

Only ever experienced it with a smaller gauge of Rotosounds. Switched to higher gauge and it got rid of it. Then switched to thicker, high tension flats, so no chance of any more rolling.

 

[dexplosion]

I didn't think it would be such a common problem.

 

[David Jayne]

Strings with 'rope' cores do this. Wire rope, that is. These strings are often found on ABG's.

 

[lump]

TI Jazz Flats are notorious for that. Have no idea what causes it, or even if it's really rolling, but I hate it.

I use TIs and I've never experienced that. YMMV...

 

[EagleMoon]

Also make sure your strings aren't actually twisted. It's very easy to do if you're not careful while installing the strings.

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

I had that really bad with a set of Pyramid Flats.

Wow, I have Pyramid Golds on my 4 and my 5 and have never experienced a string rolling. The 4 is a short scale 30.5" and the 5 is 34". Both have what I consider average string tension.

 

[Craig_S]

I use TIs and I've never experienced that. YMMV...

Do you use vibrato on a fretted bass? I can't imagine a round core string not rolling, at least somewhat.

 

[lump]

Do you use vibrato on a fretted bass? I can't imagine a round core string not rolling, at least somewhat.

Yes. They bend, but they don't "roll." I can't say I've ever experienced that with any string, round or flat.