Question Slinky Wheels at the end of the string?

[Frantic Slayer]

what is the purpose for the gold wheels at the end of the strings, besides the fact that they look cool, and they hold onto the bridge

I've always wondered what the reason is for the design

thanks.

 

[TNT]

When they sit on top of the tuners they "sparkle" in the stage lights!!!


#2203 - love em'!

 

[Frantic Slayer]

ok?

 

[Colin]

are you talking about the ball end? no pun intended

 

[Frantic Slayer]

i think so...

im talking about this thing:

note: this isnt my picture

 

[Colin]

I can't give you am authoritative answer but the ball end is made in a few designs and from materials such as brass, stainless and some are even powder coated. why it's that shape I can't tell you. would be cool to hear from BP

 

[Grand Wazoo]

I can only assume that it is made that shape to allow the string end to freely pivot in the tremolo block, otherwise if it didn't pivot it would cause friction and early string breakage. F3nd3r "bullet" series for instance were only good for string-thru-body designs like their tele's but it was useless in tremolo fitted guitars as they would always snap.

 

[TNT]

I think the technical term for that particular part is "barrel". However, let EB confirm that.