Stringing

[keith_h]

I thought the 4 finger test was used to verify the size of a lid of pot.
 
Keith

[keurosix]

Frank,
What I mean to say is: Once the string is at the tuning post, wrap the string over the top of the post and point it toward the outside of the peghead perpendicular to the neck. Put four fingers adjacent to the tuning post on the side of the exiting string to measure the length to trim the string to. You're right - the curl thing sounds like an exercise machine owner's manual printed in Taiwan to English transcription of.
If this is too abstract, I'll have to take some pictures, cuz - Confucius say: A picture is worth a thousand words.

[keurosix]

Oh yeah, one more detail:
When I finally get the string on the tuning peg with one wrap, I hold it in tension (like Danno said) and start to turn the tuning key to get 2 more wraps on the peg. I always add wraps working down to the bottom so the string that exits the tuning peg going to the nut is at the bottom of the peg. This keeps it in proper tension between the peg and the nut, and minimizes any tendancy for the string to pop out of the string slot in the nut during aggressive playing. And yes to Dannos method of tugging on the string to pre-tension it. This helps it stay in tune quicker.
 
(Message edited by keurosix on June 10, 2008)

[dannobasso]

I thought that the lids were made to fit the pots when you bought them?

[pauldo]

I thought the 4 finger test was used to verify the size of a lid of pot.
 
Keith! A lid? You're kinda showing your age using that term..... either that or you're so incredibly hip that you can pull off any era's lingo! :-)

[keith_h]

Paul,
Lets just say I have more gray hairs than I would like.  
 
Keith

[frank]

Thanks everyone.
 
Now If only I could afford to buy new strings.
 
By the way...has anyone heard of R. Coco Strings? I threw them on my orion 2or3 weeks ago andI found that they were way to bright. Sounded good for slap though. I broke the G-string 1st day!! Not cool! Didn't see it coming and It seemed unprovoked. I wasn't playing rough or playing slap at the time. I stretched the string a lttile after stringing too. Weak string or what?

[keurosix]

Frank, Did the string break at the bridge? Usually there is a sharp edge on the bridge saddle facing the speaking side of the string. This is for intonation accuracy. You may need to deburr it.
Kris

[David Houck]

I haven't seen my method mentioned yet, so I'll add it to the others.
 
- Line tuner slot parallel to fretboard.
- Insert ball-end in tailpiece slot.
- Run string through slot in tuner.
- At appropriate distance past tuner, take needlenose pliers and make a 90? bend in the string facing down toward the floor (if bass is lying flat on workbench).
- About 3/8 past bend, cut excess string.
- With the tuner slot still parallel to fretboard, put bent end of string in hole in tuner.
- Check ball-end for twisting and snugness and pull taut with right hand above instrument.
- Beginning winding with left hand.
 
I've read that three wraps are ideal.  Works for me.
 
The theory behind making the 90? bend first and then cutting the excess is that this decreases the possibility of the string wraps becoming loose.  The bend also keeps the string in the hole when pulled taut.
 
The right hand is responsible for keeping the string high enough that the silk doesn't grab on the nut while the string is being wrapped around the tuner.

[elwoodblue]

Frank,
I was having that problem with guitar strings, maybe a little more expected...still stings.  
 
  I use ernie ball super slinky's by the box and every third set or so the high e would unravel or break right at the ball end during a light prestretching. At first I thought it was me pulling too hard until it became a pattern...so there are sucky strings out there.  
 
 
I like the ernie balls for the availability and price ...so I emailed the company and firmly asked for some free strings to make up for all the broken ones...three days later...voila ten free reinforced high e's in my mailbox.  
 
 If it happens more than twice it's worth asking.'Ernie Ball' appreciated the feedback so it's good for all.

[frank]

to be honest I can't remember where the string broke.
 
My brother uses slinky's and buys them buy the case and hasn't had a problem yet. I guess he's just lucky eh.