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.
Double Bass What is this?
- Thread starter Selim
- Start date
Yes that looks like what my olivs looked like before unwinding. If its a little rough then its unwinding.
It's rough. Hard to believe, but in all these years, this is the first time I've had a string do this.
Is it affecting the string's ability to give it's maximum output? Replace?
Is it affecting the string's ability to give it's maximum output? Replace?
I guess this is a synthetic core string, probably with a PEEK core.
These core stretches a lot under tension which means that there will be very small gaps between the windings. When these gaps move over the core some gaps close and others get bigger. It does not necessarily lead to a higher danger of breaking, but the mass of the string is unevenly distributed and therefor the partials of the string get out of tune.
If the string still sounds OK for you, you can continue playing it, but the risk of the edges of the metal windings cutting into the synthetic fibers is higher than with the micro gaps only.
So better take a replacement string with you if you keep playing this string.
BTW, I would call that "windings are separating" not "unwinding", since unwinding in my opinion means that the winding broke and both ends unwind from the core because of that.
That kind of unwinding on the playing part of the string is not repairable. On the underlength or the pegbox part you might be able to put some silicon tube or electronics shrinking tube (not with synthetic windings or core) over that part to stop the unwinding.
These core stretches a lot under tension which means that there will be very small gaps between the windings. When these gaps move over the core some gaps close and others get bigger. It does not necessarily lead to a higher danger of breaking, but the mass of the string is unevenly distributed and therefor the partials of the string get out of tune.
If the string still sounds OK for you, you can continue playing it, but the risk of the edges of the metal windings cutting into the synthetic fibers is higher than with the micro gaps only.
So better take a replacement string with you if you keep playing this string.
BTW, I would call that "windings are separating" not "unwinding", since unwinding in my opinion means that the winding broke and both ends unwind from the core because of that.
That kind of unwinding on the playing part of the string is not repairable. On the underlength or the pegbox part you might be able to put some silicon tube or electronics shrinking tube (not with synthetic windings or core) over that part to stop the unwinding.
Last edited:
If it feels like it is loosening and separating, off the string goes. I get the heebie-geebies when i see frayed windings. 
I'm surprised that happened with Evahs. I've always played used Evahs (mine that I just took off were weich and a 1.5 years old when I got them, played for 8 months). Never had that happen.
Yeah it does make you wonder what's gonna happen next....If it feels like it is loosening and separating, off the string goes. I get the heebie-geebies when i see frayed windings.
In my school district, we had a serious injury involving a cello student and his unraveling string...nearly lost a finger(passes out)
How long have you had the strings? I had an issue with my olivs, contacted pirastro and they replaced them. Took 2 months but got my money back (um...strings back)
This set has been on and off and on for about 2 years now. Or long enough so that I don't remember what new EPs feel and sound like!
They work really well for my needs and my bass likes them too
They work really well for my needs and my bass likes them too
Because of that I think you found the cause. I would go ahead and get a new full set and be happy again
I measured the stretching of some strings when tune up to pitch.
Have a look here: String elasticity (stretching) measurement
You might want to try a set of Innovation Braided. Similar to Evah Weich but with less stretching. Also a bit better if you dig into the string with hard pizz. The Evah Weich have a limit that could be felt, I hardly get to the limit with the Braided. Arco is easy and nice too.
Have a look here: String elasticity (stretching) measurement
You might want to try a set of Innovation Braided. Similar to Evah Weich but with less stretching. Also a bit better if you dig into the string with hard pizz. The Evah Weich have a limit that could be felt, I hardly get to the limit with the Braided. Arco is easy and nice too.
If you don't like the A and E of the Braided, they might be a bit stiff due to the very close windings. I first replaced them by Spiro Weich 4/4 (S42) but then ran the Braided A and E over my thumb bending them to make them more flexible. You need to do that equally over the whole length and it took me about an hour for each string until they were equally flexible, but it payed off. The sustain is much better and also the sound.
But your thumb will need a few hours rest after you did that...
You don't need to do this initially, but if you think the sound could be better try that.
But your thumb will need a few hours rest after you did that...
You don't need to do this initially, but if you think the sound could be better try that.
