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Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience

EB flats and the Bongo

tadawson

tadawson

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2005
Messages
519
Location
Houghton, MI
Well, I'm frustrated! I just got a set of EB flats for my newfound Bongo 5HS, and either I am a total idiot, or the G string is defective. The others went on fine, with about 3 wraps each, but on the G, the wrap wire broke right where it comes out of the center of the tuning post, and I could never get it to pitch - the core wire (smooth) just pulled back out of the peg (this was with 3+ wraps). Thinking maybe there was a bad spot, I cut the ragged tail off, and tried again, this time getting about 2-1/2 wraps, and the same problem. Am I being a total f-tard here, and there is a different way that these need to go on or what? I am totally frustrated, and have a bass with 4 flats and 1 Slinky on it right now - not exactly where I want to be.
I think the GC I bought these from will exchange the string, but if there is a "magic mojo" to putting these on, someone please tell me, 'cuz if it's me, I don't want to screw up another strings (that, and the close GC doesn't carry these - only the one 20 miles or so away . . . . ). Grrrrrr!!!!

- Tim
 
I've had the same thing happen with another brand of flats. Seems like I've since read not to cut the string. Hope someone in the know will help us out.
 
sandman@midlife said:
I've had the same thing happen with another brand of flats. Seems like I've since read not to cut the string. Hope someone in the know will help us out.
Click to expand...

Well, on the G you can do that - on the B for instance, if you don't cut it, you would end up with multiple layers on the post, and that can't be good. On the G, I think I will end up with 7 wraps or so, but that was the way I was gonna go, barring some other good advice . . . . hopefully soon to be forthcoming . . . . . .**knock** **knock** - is this thing on ? ? ? ? ;) ;) ;) ;)
 
Hmmm... Maybe it's just a defective string. Call EB customer service up and ask about it, I'd say. :)
 
Don't cut the string, flats are your friend. ;)

Be good to them and they will be good to you.

If you have the same problem when you don't cut them, ignore everything I just said.

Glad I could help. :D

Ikaru
 
Before cutting the string, bend the string at a right angle about an inch in front of where you're going to cut it. This will stop the string from slipping. Works every time.
 
Freddy-G. said:
Before cutting the string, bend the string at a right angle about an inch in front of where you're going to cut it. This will stop the string from slipping. Works every time.
Click to expand...

Almost every time, anyway!

This isn't unique to any one brand of flats. I've had a few experiences with Chromes, TIs and LaBellas.

(I went through a lot of strings for a while there.)

I also had that happen to the G string on a set of EB Flats. Luckily, I had a spare standing by.

I guess, listening to the choir here, that it's better not to cut flats at all, but that sure is a lot of wraps.
 
Freddy-G. said:
Before cutting the string, bend the string at a right angle about an inch in front of where you're going to cut it. This will stop the string from slipping. Works every time.
Click to expand...

The issue I had is not the string unravelling - it's the wrap wires breaking cleanly where the string come outs of the slot on the tuning post, and the center wire pulling back out of the tuning post when I try to take it to tension, leaving the silk and wrap wires still in the hole/slot intact. When the string was cut and fitted, the end was pristine, with no signs of unwrapping whatsoever - on both tries!

Ironically, the set of TI flats I got from Steebo were cut the same way to go on my 30th, and no problems whatsoever . . . .

- Tim
 
Tim, that's what I'm talking about.

I've had it happen with a few different sets/brands of flats so I have to figure it's not unheard of.
 
When I do flats I never pull them into the bridge more than long enough to determine where I am going to cut them. Once I have marked that I pull it back from the bridge and then make the cut. Insert into tuning peg and start winding. I also always use a #2 lead pencil to color in the nut slot.

Could be luck, but I have never lost a flat due to cutting and I have cut a bunch of them. All brands that I have used any way.

My uncle always told me that if a string was seated into the bridge it would more than likely twist and could break.

FWIW

tk
 
bovinehost said:
Tim, that's what I'm talking about.

I've had it happen with a few different sets/brands of flats so I have to figure it's not unheard of.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess my luck just sucks . . . . . I think I'll try to get GC to exchange the set, and failing that, call customer service on Monday.

- Tim
 
tadawson said:
Well, I guess my luck just sucks . . . . . I think I'll try to get GC to exchange the set, and failing that, call customer service on Monday.

- Tim
Click to expand...

Well, no exchange at GC, but they made me a hell of a deal on another set. Scott at C/S is taking care of the bad one too, once again, hats of to EBMM for great service!

Oh, and no problem with the new string - and they are nice!

- Tim
 
lamerjay said:
So was the verdict just a bad string? ...
Click to expand...

As nearly as I can tell. I didn't cut the replacement, so have a s**tload of wraps, but it worked fine. Scott at customer service has asked that I send the bad one back to the factory so that they can see what happened, in case there is an overall problem (and not that I or he are suggesting that - this is just a precaution!)

- Tim
 
Aussie Mark said:
Having a sh!tload of wraps on the tuner post is not a problem
Click to expand...

Maybe on the G, but on the B or E, I think it could be quite a problem . . . . . duuno. Bottom line is that c/s did not say anything about not cutting the string - they are of the opinion that this was a string defect, and not anything wrong with how I put them on . . . .

- Tim
 
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