Keeping your flatwound strings from sliding off the post.

[RaginRog]

Well folks I decided to go with some EB flats on both of my Rays...I gotta say, I LOVE the sound. I know some folks have a difficult time keeping the strings from sliding while on the tuning post, so I have a tip I'd like to share that worked out for me.

While the strings were off, I took a very small file and slightly roughed up/filed the post. The strings stayed put, and so my problem was solved.

I only did this because, despite keeping the length a little longer than when I string it with roundwounds, it still continued to slide.

Hope this helps!

Oh, and... I was a D'Addario Chromes user, and while they were nice, I enjoy the feel of the EB flats much better.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I was a D'Addario Chromes user, and while they were nice, I enjoy the feel of the EB flats much better.

Interesting, so there's quite a difference?

 

[shakinbacon]

Well folks I decided to go with some EB flats on both of my Rays...I gotta say, I LOVE the sound. I know some folks have a difficult time keeping the strings from sliding while on the tuning post, so I have a tip I'd like to share that worked out for me.

While the strings were off, I took a very small file and slightly roughed up/filed the post. The strings stayed put, and so my problem was solved.

I only did this because, despite keeping the length a little longer than when I string it with roundwounds, it still continued to slide.

Hope this helps!

Oh, and... I was a D'Addario Chromes user, and while they were nice, I enjoy the feel of the EB flats much better.

I had the exact problem with flats. I found doing a "half moon" first wind helps get the friction up and prevent slipping (this involves wrapping the first wind around half of the tuning post and then using the regular full tuning post wind.

Can you describe the EB flats tone? I'm looking forward to trying a set and would like to hear more.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Can you describe the EB flats and how they compare to the Chromes?

 

[shakinbacon]

ok, in hindsight I've reworded my question

 

[Aussie Mark]

ok, in hindsight I've reworded my question

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting what you posted is wrong. I actually believe that EB Flats and Chromes are extremely similar. Very, very similar.

 

[TheAntMan]

Does anyone else stick the end of the string into the post hole and bend the string around the post for the first wind around?

I find this keeps the strings from sliding.

-- Ant

 

[Aussie Mark]

Does anyone else stick the end of the string into the post hole and bend the string around the post for the first wind around?

Yes, that's me.

 

[bovinehost]

I do this, too. I'm always confused at first when people talk about slippage.

Now I see that some people don't wind them the same way. Color me smarter.

But yes, sticking the end of the string in the provided hole will put an end to such things....or it always has for me, anyway.

 

[five7]

Yes, in the hole!

 

[snowbum]

I too put my string tip in the hole, then wind it up.

I have always used the EB slinkys, and I decided to try the EB group III flats, they are definitely a different feel, sooo smooth, and quiet when you slide your fingers.

The tone (with my amp that I desperately need to replace, its a behringer bx3000, the behringer Ashdown 300w clone) with a 4x10 cab.

I like the tone, it is definitely more thumpy than the slinks... I think I am gonna have to buy another bass and have flats on one and slinks on the other because I dig both tones so well, and they both definitely have their place.

I feel there is a little less midrange in the flatwounds, but the smooth and buttery lows are nice!!(could be many factors, I run my amp flat and eq at the bass, or I run a sansamp DI direct to the board at 1 gig, also set flat)

In saying all this, I think any set of EB strings you get will feel right at home

 

[shakinbacon]

Sorry, I wasn't suggesting what you posted is wrong. I actually believe that EB Flats and Chromes are extremely similar. Very, very similar.

Ok, thanks for your perspective

 

[shakinbacon]

I had the exact problem with flats. I found doing a "half moon" first wind helps get the friction up and prevent slipping (this involves wrapping the first wind around half of the tuning post and then using the regular full tuning post wind.

Can you describe the EB flats tone? I'm looking forward to trying a set and would like to hear more.

Just to clarify, I start by putting the string tip in the hole, then wrapping once around *half* of the post, go through the slot, then wind regularly from there. I need to do this only with the D and G strings. I had a lot of slippage issues before I did this.

Also, do not cut the strings short until you see if you cannot fit the windings on the post. I've messed that up badly on flats once.

 

[MrMusashi]

my biased way of doing it

1 cut string length
2 make a 90 degree bend in the string leaving enough string to go down into the hole in the tuner
3 the edge will rest against the edge of the post and will keep the string in position so it doesnt slip

but then again, thats just my way of doing it

MrM

 

[TheAntMan]

my biased way of doing it

1 cut string length
2 make a 90 degree bend in the string leaving enough string to go down into the hole in the tuner
3 the edge will rest against the edge of the post and will keep the string in position so it doesnt slip

but then again, thats just my way of doing it

MrM

That's pretty much what I do.

-- Ant

 

[RaginRog]

Interesting, so there's quite a difference?

No- They actually happen to be qui similar in sound, BUT, the difference i did notice is the EB's are smoother. Chromes tend to have a sticky texture to them. The overall sound is nice....they don't have much of the "old school" flatwound sound...they're actually a little snappy. Sound wise the Chromes and EBs are dead on.

Of course, I'm not a pro- so this is an amaturish review.

 

[RaginRog]

I had the exact problem with flats. I found doing a "half moon" first wind helps get the friction up and prevent slipping (this involves wrapping the first wind around half of the tuning post and then using the regular full tuning post wind.

Can you describe the EB flats tone? I'm looking forward to trying a set and would like to hear more.

Hey 'Bacon,
I posted a short review on here somewhere...it was in response to one of Aussie's posts.

 

[RaginRog]

Does anyone else stick the end of the string into the post hole and bend the string around the post for the first wind around?

I find this keeps the strings from sliding.

-- Ant

Antman, I do.....all the time....and it still managed to slip.

 

[RaginRog]

my biased way of doing it

1 cut string length
2 make a 90 degree bend in the string leaving enough string to go down into the hole in the tuner
3 the edge will rest against the edge of the post and will keep the string in position so it doesnt slip

but then again, thats just my way of doing it

MrM

I would follow this method, and I still had the issue of slippage. I'm the guy that restrings each bass about 5-6 times a year because I love experimenting with the different tones.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I am also a 'stick it in the hole' kinda guy.