Why do strings have balls? Some loopend ideas ...

[ixlramp]

Is there a manufacturing advantage? I have some ideas why loopend could be better ...
I bought some D'Addario loopend plain guitar strings, they're longer than the usual plains and can be used for the high end of a ERB, by adding a ferrule. This got me thinking how loopend strings save resources, are cheaper, create less waste, by having the 'ferrule' as part of the instrument.
Also, the anchoring points of a single or double loopend string can be much more simple and compact than a large shaped cavity that has a lot of outward force exerted on it by the ferrule, also sometimes the core wire gets trapped between ferrule and cavity edges and get damaged.
For headless basses and guitars the compactness of the nut-end anchoring points helps a lot where the strings are close together. At the bridge the linear-pull tuners don't need to be a wide claw shape but just a small and strong vertical rod you hook the loop over.

 

[megafiddle]

Probably a carry-over from acoustic guitars and upright basses. String winding machinery
for ball end strings was already in existance, so continuing the use of ball ends for the new
electric instuments would have been the simplest and lowest cost way to introduce the new
strings.

Changing to loop end later would require a new and second standard. String makers and
bridge makers would have to now supply two different types. Not so cost effective unless
there is a complete change over to the the new type.

-

 

[Burwabit]

male strings generally work better for bass due to the deeper sound

 

[mmbongo]

Never seen a loopend bass string. I don't think they would work on any of my basses! These would also make it very hard to take care of a twisted string.

 

[lz4005]

You could adapt loop end strings to most basses by slipping a metal rod through the loops. I have to do that on the E of a short scale bass I tune piccolo with guitar strings because the hole in the bridge is big enough that it would pull through otherwise.

I don't see any advantage to switching to loops, though. String manufacturers would likely have to re-tool. They'd probably have to include the rod or rods with string sets, at least initially. If they wanted to reduce waste they could set up a ball recycling program. Clip them off and mail them in for a $1 discount on your next set.

 

[JTE]

Having put lots of loop-end strings on dulcimers, banjos, and mandolins, it's really a PIA to use them.

John

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

It's all about the PSD's...

 

[ixlramp]

I also thought about a pin through the centre of a ferrule, and discovered Steinberger seemed to do this with the bass trans trem: