Author Topic: Alembic strings don't fit my Rogue (Read 537 times)

rjbassman · « **on:** February 19, 2009, 01:45:05 PM »

Although the packaging clearly says CX-3/45LB I was concerned that they would be too short for my 35 Rogue. Imagine my surprise when they turned out TOO LONG! The body of the B is actually wraping the pegs, notice the deflection. The other strings tune nicely and stay in tune but the low B is hard to tune and tempermental. Is anyone else having Rogue problems or did I get stuck with counterfeit strings?

rjbassman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:48:09 PM »

Another view down the neck

rjbassman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:58:59 PM »

What are the silk color codes?
The following link shows a Rogue with mismatched lengths and a different color silk.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/61054.html?1234321099

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2009, 04:42:54 PM »

The color of the wrapping is correct for Alembic strings. I think you just need to trim more off the end before winding them on the post.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:35:07 PM »

I agree with Keith that it appears you are using too many wraps around the post on all of your strings. What I've read in the past indicates that three full wraps is sufficient. I would try reducing to three wraps to see if that helps.

adriaan · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2009, 02:17:24 AM »

Totally agree with the point about the 3 wraps.

Hold the string by its far end and let it dangle. Wait until it stops untwisting. Now anchor the string in the tail piece, and lead it over the nut and past the proper tuner, until it reaches the next tuner on a 2+2 peghead (about 5 cm, or 2). Whatever you do, make sure you don't twist the string: this can make it go dead.

At that point, you bend the string, then move another 0.5 cm (1/4) further up the string, and cut off the excess length. Now hook the end of the string into the hole that runs down the shaft. Lead the string towards the top of the peghead, then firmly bend the string to start wrapping around the post. Tune it up while holding the string in place, until it holds by itself. Make sure you check that the ball end is sitting snug in the tail piece. I usually end up with 3 to 4 windings on the tuner.

The B string may need a little more than 2 - start with 2.5, as you can always cut off the last bit, and repeat the process from there.

Even on the E string, sometimes you can get a slight bend between the nut and the tuner, but I've never seen it as pronounced as on your B string - obviously this is what you get from having your last wrap sitting on top of the first few wraps.

rjbassman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2009, 08:10:55 AM »

Actually gents, my question is more about the location of the silk-to-Final String Diameter(FSD) interface. It's clear that I'm already violating the FSD bend radius on the B string, that's why is shows so much deflection toward the middle of the neck before getting pulled back into line by the nut. The following pics from the gallery show what I believe is a more typical location for the FSD/silk transition.

rjbassman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2009, 08:21:40 AM »

and this one (clearly non-alembic strings but you can see the transition) Did I get stuck with a 36 set? If my Rogue was a std 34 I would have snapped the B & G cores trying to get them wrapped around the diameter of the peg. the previous link showed a Rogue with 2 different FSD transitions and while he might enjoy silk on his nuts (B & E strings), it probably isn't doing anything for his tone.

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2009, 08:42:34 AM »

Huh? You seem to be thinking in distance from the wrong end of the string ...

The FSD transitions on a given bass will be in roughly the same spot, whether you have 3 windings around the peg or 10. This is because the distance covered by the string from the tail piece to the tuner is the same no matter what number of wraps you have around the peg.

rjbassman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2009, 08:56:44 AM »

Spot on adriaan! unless you know of a way to adust the string length at the tailpiece .

Based on experience and the pics above (and the link), the FSD transition (sorry for having to makeup jargon) should be midway between nut and closest peg.

Which brings me back the original question: Did I screw up buying Alembic CX-3/45LB strings for my 35 Rogue?

I wasn't aware that they even made a 36 set and I'm expecting my B to break any day from having the core over-bent/kinked.

mica · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2009, 08:58:44 AM »

Are you quite certain the bass is a 35 scale? Please check the scale length by measuring from the nut to the 12th fret then doubling.

Email me with the details of where/when you purchased the strings.

olieoliver · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:08:43 AM »

I agree woth the other guys. Too many wraps. The B string is resting on the wraps below it forcing it outward away from the peg. I would imagine the resulting bend in the string between the nut a tuning peg is what's causing the tuning problems.

OO

rjbassman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:34:54 AM »

Does anyone know the minimum bending radius on a .128 hexcore string?

I'm guessing it's 6 diameters (much bigger than my tuning peg).

To close the subject of wraps, I deliberately over wrapped the B on the assumption that fewer wraps = tighter bending radius.

After all, that's why they bother to build strings with a skinny silk-wrapped end.

adriaan · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:45:57 AM »

Hm, check the base of the peg: the radius is probably even larger there than where it's now sitting on top of the first wrap.

You might run into problems with the outer wire of the string getting caught between the first wrap and the second.

rjbassman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:45:28 AM »

fyi: the silk wrap starts 38 1/4 from the tailpiece (subtract about 1/8 and you'll have the eyelet-to-silk dimension).

Anyone else care to share their string dimensions?