Strings went dead overnight...

[logdrum]

Dude, these are $8 strings. Why are we even having this discussion?

Sounds like you just got what you paid for. Don't expect much from $8 a set.

EB Cobalt flats, the windings unraveled at tuning post. Not my first rodeo, I read how you are supposed to string those and have been using them since 2017 pr whenever they came oil -- Cost to me $59 for a 5 string set. After some scrutiny and me complaining, EB sent me a replacement set. D"Addario tapewound. The nylon warp broke between the pickups and the whole filament unraveled. D"addario was easy to deal with. They gave me 2 sets - 2nd day delivery. My cost 52.

The point is , even expensive strings can break, due to manufacturing issues.

 

[Dlew919]

What are witness points?

 

[Rib 13]

Many Chinese made strings are not only poorly made, but the materials are questionable as every experience Ive had with them included (very noticable!) lower output compared to higher quality strings. The solution is to use better quality strings.

 

[michael_t]

What are witness points?

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/witness-points-the-pictorial.1217291/

 

[Dlew919]

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/witness-points-the-pictorial.1217291/

Thank you

 

[fhm555]

PA: LANGUAGE

No matter a mass produced item’s brand, cost, reputation, or country of origin…

 

[carpecarp]

Dude, these are $8 strings. Why are we even having this discussion?

Because for some of us, $8 is a trade for an hour of our life. Plus tax.

 

[31HZ]

Because for some of us, $8 is a trade for an hour of our life. Plus tax.

That's completely fine, but it's not germane to the thread. The expectation of quality of a $2 string will still be the obvious culprit when it goes dead overnight, no head-scratching required.

 

[FRoss6788]

Yep, I would expect a pack of strings that cost $8 to be completely useless garbage.

 

[Thumpin6string]

In close to 50 years of playing bass, I've never "crimped" a string. I always put a 90 degree bend in the string BEFORE cutting them.

 

[carpecarp]

That's completely fine, but it's not germane to the thread.

au contraire! 'Tis germane. From OP's first post: "I am wondering if that can be a problem or what other mechanisms that can cause such abrupt end." However, I do agree with your point.

 

[FRoss6788]

In close to 50 years of playing bass, I've never "crimped" a string. I always put a 90 degree bend in the string BEFORE cutting them.

I believe thats the "crimp" that everyone (including me) is talking about.

That's the language used on some packaging describing the process of cutting the strings prior to installation.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I believe thats the "crimp" that everyone (including me) is talking about.

That's the language used on some packaging describing the process of cutting the strings prior to installation.

I've never heard that term for it before. Learn something new everyday.

 

[FRoss6788]

I've never heard that term for it before. Learn something new everyday.

Ya I thought it weird then I proceeded to use it myself...go figure.

 

[maturanesa]

if there is not anything broken is just the winding got messy with the tension, G and D have actually much more tension/weight than the other strings.
Never go heavier with cheap strings

 

[GIBrat51]

Definitely not whiteness points, I am aware of that and set those. The moment I heard the strings after putting them o , I decided to keep them, and did a complete setup with all the witness points, intonations, action, etc. This is my bass for experiments and had many strings on of various manufacturers I just never gotten into crimping the cut ends and now wondering if I encountered the result of that, or if it is a cheap strings sindrom.

Separation after cutting is definitely a thing with a lot of flatwound bass strings, which is why putting a right angle bend (or a "crimp") in them ahead of where you cut them is recommended - by several string makers, in fact. I have no doubt that it can happen with rounds, or any other bass string. I had that happen a couple of times - long ago, in a galaxy far, far away... After watching a set of TI Jazz Flats come apart? You bet yer Bippy I bend them before cutting; any bass strings - flats, rounds, tapes - Anything. It's become just SOP with every string change, for me...

 

[J Wilson]

Still dead, eh? 8 bucks . . . .

 

[kgbeast]

Still dead, eh? 8 bucks . . . .

8 bucks? Nah, 8 bucks are fine.... They continue their existence as predestined by the laws of the universe.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Because for some of us, $8 is a trade for an hour of our life. Plus tax.

Rather than waste $8, get a decent set of strings that will last much longer.

 

[kgbeast]

The other set of the same strings has been fine now for over 10 days on the same bass. Stable in tuning and tone. The question of this thread was not about why the cheap strings died fast, it was about what causes the strings death since it is obviously not gunk or oils in the windings that accumulates there overtime...or at least it is not the only reason.