String problem

[mike not fat]

Hi everyone,

first of all, I want to whish everyone here a happy new year and all the best, especially on the bass side !

Here is that strange story. I strung my bongo with new Power Slinkys (55-110), 5 weeks ago. They are strapped 3 time around the tuning pot. I adjusted the neck ; everything was fine. During this time I didn't play more then I use to (even less, considering that i'm really busy at work and at home).

Last week I noticed that the E and A strings where producing a strange buzz ; it did not sound like the classical fret buzz due to bad neck adjustment, but like if something was buzzing "in" the string. I restrung them ; I made the action higher to be sure it was not coming from the neck, but nothing could change that noise, (that could also be heard through the amp). I ended up puting two old E and A strings I had (Regular slink' 105, 90). This week-end I strung the Power Slink' again, which where still "buzzing".

Anyone has an explanation ? Are they "dead" ? Should I boil them (or cook them, or god know what else...). I'm a bit disapointed that new strings just end up like that.

MNF

 

[Aussie Mark]

You need to ensure that when the string is wound on the tuner post it departs the post via the bottom of the post (rather than the top) so that the string forms an angle as it passes over the nut. It the string is too high on the tuner post it will cross the nut almost flat and will create buzz.

 

[strummer]

Hi everyone,

first of all, I want to whish everyone here a happy new year and all the best, especially on the bass side !

Here is that strange story. I strung my bongo with new Power Slinkys (55-110), 5 weeks ago. They are strapped 3 time around the tuning pot. I adjusted the neck ; everything was fine. During this time I didn't play more then I use to (even less, considering that i'm really busy at work and at home).

Last week I noticed that the E and A strings where producing a strange buzz ; it did not sound like the classical fret buzz due to bad neck adjustment, but like if something was buzzing "in" the string. I restrung them ; I made the action higher to be sure it was not coming from the neck, but nothing could change that noise, (that could also be heard through the amp). I ended up puting two old E and A strings I had (Regular slink' 105, 90). This week-end I strung the Power Slink' again, which where still "buzzing".

Anyone has an explanation ? Are they "dead" ? Should I boil them (or cook them, or god know what else...). I'm a bit disapointed that new strings just end up like that.

MNF

I think that the strings themselves are the bad guys here. Although I haven't experienced this with EB strings, it has happened occasionally with other strings.
I dont necessarily think 3 turns around the tuning peg is a good thing, as the EB posts are tapered and will force your string down to the bottom of the post.
I look for 1 full winding and maybe 1/4-1/2 turn of overlap, beacuse I think having multiple turns around an EB post might be asking for trouble.
That's what I think...

 

[tadawson]

I was wondering about that . . . . and the fact that my new Bongo came in with the factory strings only wound 1-1/2 to 2 turns tends to support it.

- Tim

 

[sandaas]

Yup, what strummer & dawson said about the number of turns around the posts might be the explanation.

 

[tadawson]

Well, my other Bongo I have strung with about 3 wraps or so, and it is fine too . . . so I don't think that using more can hurt, either . . . . I was just suprised to see way less from the factory . . . .

- Tim

 

[mike not fat]

You need to ensure that when the string is wound on the tuner post it departs the post via the bottom of the post (rather than the top) so that the string forms an angle as it passes over the nut. It the string is too high on the tuner post it will cross the nut almost flat and will create buzz.

The string was departing via the bottom of the pot. The noise really feels like if somtehing in the string was buzzing. Strange thing.

MNF

 

[strummer]

The string was departing via the bottom of the pot. The noise really feels like if somtehing in the string was buzzing. Strange thing.

MNF

As I said earlier, I think that the strings themselves are the bad guys here. By that I mean they are actually faulty in some way, probably the winding isn't 100% good in all layers.

Btw, instead of boiling strings, soak them in denaturated alcohol. It's easy, quick and no corrosion risk. Will not solve this problem, though