Problems with my G string

[williefingers]

No, it's not what you are thinking

I have owned 5 or 6 MM basses ince the late 70's. I just bought a new four string fretless SR and went to restring it last night with Ernie Ball flatwounds.

The G string keeps slipping. I tune it to G sharp and it ialmost mmediatley flattens to G and then ends up about E after a few seconds. I thought it might be the string itself so I restrung the G string with the original string. Same thing. I checked the tuning keys and screws and they seem OK, too.

Any clues?

 

[prickly_pete]

It is probably just slipping on the post. Perhaps the strings are cut too short, or have been damaged from being taken on and off. flats are notorious for slipping on the post, especially the g string. Some people say not to cut flats at all, although I do. Just leave plenty of winding -- maybe four wraps around the post. You are probably going to have to buy a new string.

 

[williefingers]

what strings do you use on your fretless?

 

[prickly_pete]

Ernie Ball Group III Flats. They are relativly inexpensive and they feel and sound great.

 

[williefingers]

These were Group II. They feel good; sure how they sound yet. I have a '75 Precision fretless and have always used Fender flats on that bass. The EB's feel a little smoother (better). Should I put a little double sided tape on the post to prevent the slipping?

I really appreciate your help. This site s a great resource.

 

[ibanez2005]

I'd buy a new string, once you put double sided tape on, it might be hard to get off.

 

[prickly_pete]

I don't think double sided tape will help. There is simply too much tension on the strings for that. One of the things I do on the g string, with flats, is bend/double the end over -- perhaps a 1/4 inch -- and stick that down into the peg before I start winding.

 

[williefingers]

I used to do that years ago and forgot all about it. (Too many post show parties I guess.) Thanks again.

 

[prickly_pete]

Anytime. Good luck.

 

[MingusBASS]

Does EB sell single string flatwounds?

 

[prickly_pete]

Yup. Ernie Ball Flat Wound

 

[StingRayzor]

Find where the string is coming out of the slot and bending around the post. Bend the angle, by hand, to a more extreme break with a very defined point. The bend is probably a little curved and hence not grabbing on the sharp edge. Also, and this is a little harder to explain, find where the string comes out of the hole in the post. This piont may need to be bent a little more. This will be the first curve from the cut end of the string. Bend it to a good solid ninety degrees. I have learned to this on most of my EBMM basses, as I too have had slippage probs in the past.

This should solve your problem.

 

[prickly_pete]

What typically happens with flats with silk windings -- like the EBs -- is that the silk breaks (at the bend out of the post) and the string actually begins to unwind. once this happens, there is no way to really fix things.

 

[tadawson]

I had this problem, and it was the wrap wires breaking where they came across the post, and then the core simply sliding back. I called customer service, and they took care of me, and I put the new G string on without cutting it, and it has been fine . . . .

- Tim