Why do people do this?

[jamro217]

The idea is to force the string wraps together. This creates a grip around the string and prevents it from loosening (and going out of tune) when playing. As others have already mentioned, it is primarily guitarists who bend strings and use whammy bars a lot. Bassists don't usually need to be as concerned about it and three wraps of a string will do just fine.

 

[Tazziedevil]

I once bought a cheap used bass where the strings were wrapped like that. I kept them like that until it was time for new strings, then I put them on the "normal" way. They were fine wrapped like that

 

[Fernando Costa]

There are many ways to do anything, some easy, some not so much.

 

[callofcthulhu]

I used to do it this way. I learned how to restring from a guitar player, and until I joined TB I didn't know there was another way.

The advantage is you don't have to worry about cutting the string too short, which is something I still worry about at every string change, even after years of doing it the "right" way.

 

[lark_z]

Like me, they don't know any better. On guitars and my first bass, I always brought the tail backwards around the post and pulled it up behind the string. That way the first wrap locked the tail. It was a REAL pain to do this on the bass. Glad I learned the new way.

I took my first guitar (el cheapo from a friend) to a music store and asked them to put strings on it. They put steel on it. Turns out it was made for gut/nylon. It became less playable daily. Then the bridge came off the now deformed top. Trash can time.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Maybe someone needed to change the strings in a hurry and there was no tool available to snip the strings. Won't hurt anything but it definitely looks kinda sloppy.

 

[Luckydog]

Ive scoured the web to find out why people string this way. Why do people string basses like this? Is there any benefit? Can it harm the bass? (Refer to pic)

In order to highlight another First World issue and create lengthy squabbles among us internet dwellers.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Because they don't know any better, and I would argue because of the string size and tension, it would be more likely to slip on bass.

 

[JRA]

There's nothing "wrong" about it. And there are exactly and precisely zero disadvantages to doing it that way.

So what's the problem and why do you care? Why is it worthy of "scouring the internet"?

(you're such a gentleman! ) tell us what you really think!

per the OP: big whup! IME: practicing helps you to ignore things like this!

 

[smtp4me]

Ive scoured the web to find out why people string this way. Why do people string basses like this? Is there any benefit? Can it harm the bass? (Refer to pic)

I have strung my basses both ways over the years. The advantage to doing it this way, is that you cut off the excess AFTER you have wrapped the string around the post several times, instead of "guessing" (it's not really guessing when you do it often enough) how much to cut off and THEN wrapping it the traditional way.

When I was a beginner, and changed strings on my bass for the first time, I cut them too short, and wasted a set of strings. After that I learned to measure out a length of each string past the post and then cut. When I did put the strings on this way, I would be sure to tuck the end underneath one or two of the existing wraps - basically bend the string around the center of the post, tuck it through the center, and then tuck it under the wraps.

But I digress, in my experience, either way works just fine when done correctly.

 

[jeffb28451]

Seems a legit question, if you don't know.

There are many good videos on Youtube and otherwise that show how to bend strings and insert them so that they lock down on themselves in order to avoid slipping. Frankly, from the intonation issues I hear with a ton of some dudes in certain types of bands, (already mentioned by a tech in his earlier response), the LAST person I'd want to advise me on how to set up or string my bass would be a tech who just winds strings down at random, some over, some under and then leaves ends hanging. If that's not you, you don't have to be offended, if it is, sorry that you are.

Have you ever been poked or even punctured by loose string ends on a tight stage? If you have a still wanna install your strings as shown by OP, then you need to consider your bandmates safety, even if you don't care if your strings slip out of tune.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I have strung my basses both ways over the years. The advantage to doing it this way, is that you cut off the excess AFTER you have wrapped the string around the post several times, instead of "guessing".

That a good way to get a twisted string.

The best way is to thread the string through the bridge.
Let it lay on the neck to cancel any twisting.
Measure 3 to four inches past the post and cut.
Bend the end to insert into the post hole.
Wind.
Clean and neat windings

 

[themickster]

I did when I had used basses I bought like that. I'm not proud of what I did. I was young and foolish and know a lot better now. Anything I can do to keep others from going down the same long, hard road, I will.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I learned to do it that way back in the 80s from a guy who did guitar and bass tech work for Bob Marley, the Rippingtons, and several other national acts. One loop over the string excess and the rest under. I've been doing it that way for 35 years with zero failures. There's nothing "wrong" about it. And there are exactly and precisely zero disadvantages to doing it that way.

So what's the problem and why do you care? Why is it worthy of "scouring the internet"?

I do it for six string, short scale piccolo bass, but not standard bass. Eww.

 

[RattleSnack]

Can it harm the bass? (Refer to pic)

Actualy, it can harm the bass and I've seen it.
I bought used Fender Jazz MIM years ago, where string ends weren't clipped short and one was bent down toward headstock surface. So when previous owner tuned it, he scratched a deep circle on a headstock surface, around tuner. Damage was minor but noticable - not a big deal to me, but someone nitpicky would not like it.
Aside from that, nothing wrong with stringing bass that way, if it stays in tune.

 

[Scarysharkface]

Ive scoured the web to find out why people string this way. Why do people string basses like this? Is there any benefit? Can it harm the bass? (Refer to pic)

It won't harm the instrument, and so long as it stays in tune I wouldn't give it a second thought. Lots of people string basses in that fashion.

John

 

[JakobT]

So what's the problem and why do you care? Why is it worthy of "scouring the internet"?

Like he said - he wanted to know if there was any benefit to doing so. Seems a legitimate question to me.

 

[707GK]

It's ugly and that's probably the only issue I notice. There are other, equally successful ways to string a bass that at least don't look awful. I've been doing it the more "standard" way that many luthiers will teach for 20 years and that seems to work for me and it looks cleaner.

 

[MCS4]

I'm another member of the "I did it that way for years because I didn't know there was a different way." I'm sure I've done it once or twice since then when restringing a bass on autopilot as well. I never noticed any particular downside to stringing it this way.

 

[SixtyCycleHum]

That a good way to get a twisted string.

The best way is to thread the string through the bridge.
Let it lay on the neck to cancel any twisting.
Measure 3 to four inches past the post and cut.
Bend the end to insert into the post hole.
Wind.
Clean and neat windings
View attachment 4450042

This is something I often forget to do. Cutting to size. I just twist and wrap subconsciously. My windings overlap on the last one and looks odd for *now* obvious reasons.