I have always used gut strings for the G and D, usually with steel E and A. I have tried wound guts for the E and A and while I don't love the crazy ups and downs in pitch with the weather I LOVE the sound of them. The problem, for me at least, is that they break so easily. I've had a few break up at the tuners and just today my A broke right in the middle of the silk between the tailpiece and bridge. It was a NOS Sweetone A and it rocked and now it's done. Is the gut drying out? Should I try oiling them? Is this a common problem and is there a solution? Any advice or directions to a thread on this would be greatly appreciated.
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Double Bass Wound Gut Breakage
- Thread starter jsc88
- Start date
I wish I could offer you some advice or solace, but I shall be watching this thread just like you! 
I'm curious to see what people say about oiling wound strings...IDK if that is an option or not. Seems a little scary to me...
Tuning issues and breakage are why I use a plain A- I wish I could get a plain E too...but I digress.
I had one wound E die on me in a few weeks- that sucked. I have a Gamut copper wound medium on there now- it's been holding up great- I still have tuning issues, but no loose windings or breakage so far...
Joe
I'm curious to see what people say about oiling wound strings...IDK if that is an option or not. Seems a little scary to me...
Tuning issues and breakage are why I use a plain A- I wish I could get a plain E too...but I digress.
I had one wound E die on me in a few weeks- that sucked. I have a Gamut copper wound medium on there now- it's been holding up great- I still have tuning issues, but no loose windings or breakage so far...
Joe
If it's an old NOS wound gut string it's likely it was just a matter of the gut being dried out to the point where bringing it to tension caused what little fibers were still strong enough to eventually give way. I don't know what kind of of NOS gut A it was that I had, but it was roundwound and I barely got it up to tension when it broke (it was kinda thin too, so probably wouldn't have been that great anyway).
I do. I have had the same set of Lenzners on for over a year, and I oil the wound E & A whenever I oil the plain D & G. Why do you say that it seems a little scary?
Because the gut core could swell as it absorbs moisture, gaining diameter, and disturb the windings. At best, you now have a buzzing string, at worst it's ruined pending a rewind.
^This^- and the general unknown factor- To be honest, I just don't know what it will do! I've learned a lot of hard lessons by trying things out without doing the "due dilligence". In the grand scheme, I guess messing up a wound gut string aint as bad as some of the stupid crap I've done...
If I put too much oil on a plain string I can wipe off the excess, and I can see "when to quit". How much do you put on your wound strings?
The idea of oiling the wound at the same time you do the plains seems sound- but how do you know it's getting in there past the windings?
I have put oil on the exposed ends of my wound strings when they looked dry- maybe that is a good indicator of when the whole string might benefit from an oiling?
Good discussion guys! I'm anxious to hear more!
Joe
You don't oil wound guts,,what good what that do??
I have oiled plain ones if theyr really dried out,,then sand them with 400 grit sandpaper,,you'll be good too go,Kent
I have oiled plain ones if theyr really dried out,,then sand them with 400 grit sandpaper,,you'll be good too go,Kent
It sounds like I am either wasting my time or risking damage to the strings. While there's a lot of territory between those alternatives, everybody agrees that I should not oil them. I'm happy to do less work. Has anybody asked a string maker?
You should also check that your nut slots are wide enough. It's my understanding that if a string is sitting on a too narrow slot, it will increase the tension behind the nut and can lead to breakage. Every time I've had a wound gut string break, it's been behind the nut.
Hey, how about trying a plain gut A? You can oil it all you want (and see "when to quit"), and very little humidity fluctuation so less tuning hassle.
I'm in the "Plain A" club too! I have nothing against wound strings in general, it's just that they don't work well in my climate. That said, I can't complain about my copperwound medium E- it's been a trooper!
I think that a Pistoy E would bow better- and not have that "bari sax" sound you speak of...too bad Dan won't make them!
Maybe if more people asked...
Joe
