Question for Big Poppa: How are strings made?

[whitestrat]

Dear Big Poppa,

I think most people have a good idea on how guitars are made. That's not that difficult to figure out. But something I've always wanted to know is: How are guitar strings made?

Especially back in your dad's time. Has the process changed? How has technology changed the way the strings were made? Is the same process used for electric and acoustic strings? Is the process the same for Nickel and Steel strings?

Could you please enlighten me? I'm not asking about any industry secrets, but merely how are these strings made generically?

[Big Poppa]

When my dad first started the wound strings were a round core and a pure nickel wrap.
As wire drawing (the process where the steel rods are drawn down to the correct size ) got more sophisticated they became hex core...then the trend went to a nickel plated steel (slinkys) on the hex wire. The plain strings are virtually the same

the original wound strings were made by hand and now the wound strings are made utilising servo motors and computer controls for both wire tension and wrap consistancy

[Eggman]

When my dad first started the wound strings were a round core and a pure nickel wrap.
As wire drawing (the process where the steel rods are drawn down to the correct size ) got more sophisticated they became hex core...then the trend went to a nickel plated steel (slinkys) on the hex wire. The plain strings are virtually the same

the original wound strings were made by hand and now the wound strings are made utilising servo motors and computer controls for both wire tension and wrap consistancy

Where is that done? Is that something we might see in PS? Sounds like it would be a cool thing to see.

[whitestrat]

Thanks BP.

Why the change from a round core to a hex core? does it make a difference? Why was Nickel preferred? Was it because it was cheaper at that time to make as opposed to Steel Strings?

Wound strings then were made BY HAND????? Wow!!!

[Big Poppa]

there is one "manufacturer" that claims to still make em by hand....

We sell the original as classic slinkys and the normal slinkys are NPS (nickel plated steel)

The hex bonds with the core better and the nps is brighter....

Eggie you will see it in the des!

[phatduckk]

Eggie you will see it in the des!

sweet! im stoked!

[whitestrat]

The hex bonds with the core better and the nps is brighter....

Thanks for this! always wondered why there'd be a difference anyways.

Hand Guided machine wound? whahaha... Same as pickups. There are some who will still lead you to believe that pups are still hand wound, then they show a picture of a hand guiding the wires but the pickups are turned my machine... That's not hand wound!!! Anyways, I've not found anything that proves machine made windings are worse than hand made ones. If anything, the machined ones are neater. heh...

[midopa]

We sell the original as classic slinkys and the normal slinkys are NPS (nickel plated steel)

oooo I'd like to try out some Classic Slinkys if possible. Are they available anywhere? They don't appear to be on the website.

the pardon my dullardness

[Eggman]

Eggie you will see it in the des!

Most Excellent!

[Jodizzle]

Midopa ....

http://www.ernieball.com/products/st...ickel-strings/




Some dealers aren't aware that we still make these babies. Request em!! Every dealer that stocks EB has the ability to get em.

[midopa]

oo I see thanks Jodizzle! I've got Super Slinkies on my cheapo electric at the moment. I'll try these out when it comes time to replace those strings. Any chance you guys make these for bass guitars?

[Jodizzle]

That's a negative for bass .. BUT we do have stainless, flatwound and acoustic available

[phatduckk]

That's a negative for bass .. BUT we do have stainless, flatwound and acoustic available

the stainless bass strings are awesome. im loving the stainless hybrids now.

[pjc812]

oooo I'd like to try out some Classic Slinkys if possible. Are they available anywhere? They don't appear to be on the website.

the pardon my dullardness

We got 'em....

I think I may sell more of those than the newer ones. I know I sell a ton of the classic regular slinky's.

[midopa]

the stainless bass strings are awesome. im loving the stainless hybrids now.

A big +1 with you Arin. I recently took the Stainless Steel strings adouglas so graciously gave me and tried them on my Dargie SR HS. WOW! Stainless Steels + neck p'up = thiiick punchy ballsy bass! The EB flats were on it before and those too are stainless steel I bleeb, but these roundwound Stainless Steels gotta stay.

That's a negative for bass .. BUT we do have stainless, flatwound and acoustic available

oh fie. It's all good. The Slinkies, Stainless Steels, and flatwound EB strings are all awesome. I'd get the acoustics in a heartbeat if I had an acoustic bass guitar. (hm... Earthwood reissue maybe? )