Issue with stringing my Big Al - it appears to be killing the flatwound G string

[krispn]

Hey I'd appreciate your collective knowledge on this one...

Got a BA recently and put my old flat wounds on it but the G string just wouldn't stay in tune. I put this down to how often I used to swap between rounds and flats and thought I'd knackered the end of the string. Just put a new set of Chromes on same thing, It looks like the string is 'snapping' due t the angle and pressure as I wind it. It looks intact but just keeps slipping and not staying in tune. Anyone else had this problem with their BA or with Chromes? Never happened on my previous bass?

I made sure to put extra length on the string so I can rewind it but was hoping for some advice on here. Never had this happen before so I can't be stringing 'wrong'!

Thanks in advance for any help

Gavin

 

[maddog]

only thing I got is to make sure the string isn't twisting when you wind it. Otherwise, best to get someone with experience to look at it.

 

[Kirby]

I had this very same problem with a set of Chromes I put on a Stingray. The G string would just keep slipping. I tried again and the same thing happened with another new G string. I eventually went to a set of Group IV and made sure to get plenty of windings on the post and to make sure as said above, the string was not twisting. This has worked. I don't think it is the bass causing your issues, just the simple physics of the mass of the string and the tension of the G string.

 

[bovinehost]

With flats, sometimes if you're not careful with how you trim the excess string, and sometimes even if you ARE careful, the core can separate from the winding and so you're left with what looks like a perfectly good (intact) string which will never tune to pitch. Not saying that's what happened, it's impossible to tell from way over here, but it's happened to me 4 or 5 times over the years.

 

[TSanders]

The solution Ive found to the slipping flat is this: when trimming the string length, I also have a pair of pliers on hand. I bend the cut end of the string over (about 1/8th of an inch), and crimp it with the pliers into a U shape. For whatever reason, this has always worked for me with flats that wouldnt hold tune.

It was hard to describe what I do, so if it doesnt make sense, let me know, and Ill post pics.

 

[MrMusashi]

first i cut the string. then i make a 90 degree bend on the end. that end goes into the hole in the stringpost. then i wind the string half way round the post and make it go over the post through the slot that goes across the top of it.
after that i wind it up as usual.
it seems that the kinks that are made in the string when it goes through that slot keeps it in place.

ill see if i can take a picture and post..

MrM

 

[projectapollo]

I solved my occasional G string slipping dilemmas with flats by running the string back through the slot on the tuner peg a second time. That gives extra friction and always works. So-- the string comes out of the slot and wraps around the peg a half turn, then back through the slot, then winds as normal. I bet that works for you.

 

[MadMatt]

first i cut the string. then i make a 90 degree bend on the end. that end goes into the hole in the stringpost. then i wind the string half way round the post and make it go over the post through the slot that goes across the top of it.
after that i wind it up as usual.
it seems that the kinks that are made in the string when it goes through that slot keeps it in place.

ill see if i can take a picture and post..

MrM

This is the way I string the G with flats and I have not had a problem since. It definitiv works.

 

[krispn]

Cheers folks. The string actually has kept tune but I fear that as BH said the problem was in the trimming of the string. But I left enough wind to try and re cut and if I have to I'll certainly use the methods outlined.

Word!

 

[Holdsg]

Another happy EBMM ending

 

[Golem]

IIRC all MM's have the same tuners and yes I've
been having that same problem with Chromes in
particular, and I also swap and re-use strings.

Two solutions that are working well for me, both
of which can be deployed together if needed:

1. A small diameter screw driven down the center
hole to help secure the string end. It should have
an easy fit with moderate friction, a diameter that
isn't really very tight, yet big enuf to be "grabby".

2. Double over the end of the leader before you
put in the hole and bend it. The doubled length
should be about 5mm longer than the depth of
the hole, and you use small needle nose to put
a 90 degr bend where the doubled up leader is
emerging from the hole and heading toward the
exit of the peg slot.

IOW, the leader takes a U-turn at the bottom of
the hole. All leader "inside" the peg is doubled.
"Inside" included the hole AND the slot.

On occasion, I even used the screw trick to use
a D-string from a 2+2 headstock that was not
quite making a full turn of wrap around the peg
on a MM bass. Chose the right screw and a 3/4
turn of leader wrap can be toadally reliable.

 

[krispn]

Just an update:

New Chromes on the way free of charge thanks to a very nice CS dept! Thanks for all the tips and tricks. I'll certainly try them out with the new set!