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Thread on Bass String Ends

Smallmouth_Bass

Smallmouth_Bass

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
1,761
Location
Montreal, Canada
I was just wondering why Ernie Ball has chosen not to have thread at the end of their bass strings. Does it really make a difference? Is it worth the extra cost? Is it just for looks? Why do most other manufacturers have thread on the ends, or more specifically, the tuning peg ends?

By the way, I did do a search, but you can imagine how many hits I got with "thread"!
 
The truth is that bass players who play with "thread" on the end of their strings are a bunch of old ladies, who, just in case, they need to do a little sewing in between sets, can do so.

Keep the "thread" off my gear otherwise my grandma may want to start playing bass.
 
Besides the great tone, and long life, thats another reason why I use EB strings, because I dont like thread on strings.
 
Well, there is another reason for having a "thread" (which are better known as "silk ends") on a bass string: the string gets a better grip/hold on the tuning peg

the strange thing with EB strings is: the flatwounds do have silk ends...

greets,

Arjan
 
I just put a set of Slinkys (nickel) on my SR5 and no slipping problems. By the way, they sound and feel great!

It may be more of a problem with flatwounds though. I once tried another brand's set and the D string just wouldn't grip on the tuning peg. They were super smooth and had really wide outer wraps.
 
are you KIDDING the threads slightly dampen the vibrations of the strings such as to give a nice smooth warming of the tone o man it is such a Thing
 
I thought they were a carry-over from the upright bass days to help with the wooden pegs. I may just be talking out of my butt, though.

The Ernie Ball Group II flats I use on my Bongo have blue thread on the end of them...
 
Last edited:
midopa said:
are you KIDDING the threads slightly dampen the vibrations of the strings such as to give a nice smooth warming of the tone o man it is such a Thing
Click to expand...

That sounds good, but I would think that the thread is on the wrong end of the nut and bridge to make any noticable difference.
 
Never had a problem using strings without the thread on the end, plus they're just hideous. In my humble opinion. :D
 
Threads won't work on a 30th, at least the D'Acme flats I tried. The threads sat in the nut and things just didn't work out the way I wanted. It was horrible, maybe I need to get super long scale ? What do you recommend as far as flats for the 30th ? I just want to check it out.
 
I put EBMM Group III on my fretless 30th. I also got me a set of 9050s but haven't tried them yet.
 
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