Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
Is it normal on some guitars to be able to see the core of the string on D and A strings, in the beginning of the string, at the saddle. I suppose it isn't very serious but I suppose it can increase the risk of breakage?
You may have fixed the wrong end of the string at the bridge. On some strings, due to the winding process, there is a section of loose winding on one end. This should go at the headstock end and be cut off after bringing to tension.
Saddle might be too pointy. Check to see if it is rounded or has a sharp peak right there. Strings can also abrade the saddle occasionally causing them to have flat spots, irregular shapes and grooves.
Sometimes a guitarist can just take a nail file and give it a coupe of passes to smooth out a small divit..other times it might need a repair.
the saddle edge may be too sharp--a pass or two of sandpaper should smooth it out.
not to hijack this thread but i am curious about bass string manufacturing. there is the end that has the thin windings which many report to be part of the winding process. are bass strings made by the meter or so or are they made by the kilometer then cut and then one end modified?
RE: String winding and saddle (in reply to Jeff Highland)
quote:
You may have fixed the wrong end of the string at the bridge. On some strings, due to the winding process, there is a section of loose winding on one end. This should go at the headstock end and be cut off after bringing to tension.
Jeff,
I was told many years ago that the loose wound end of the bass strings was intended to make the string (usually the 5th and 6th) more flexible so the knot would cinch up easier. Done your way, it takes longer for the knot to tighten or cinch up, requiring more retunes to stay tuned. I've tied the 'loose' end at the bridge for over 50 years without problems...
RE: String winding and saddle (in reply to Dave K)
quote:
Jeff,
I was told many years ago that the loose wound end of the bass strings was intended to make the string (usually the 5th and 6th) more flexible so the knot would cinch up easier. Done your way, it takes longer for the knot to tighten or cinch up, requiring more retunes to stay tuned. I've tied the 'loose' end at the bridge for over 50 years without problems...
Cheers, Dave
Yeah this is what I've heard too, altough I don't use it. But if it really tunes up quicker then I suppose I'll start using it. Altough the basses (I use luthier medium) stretch up nicely in about 5 days for me.
RE: String winding and saddle (in reply to Dave K)
quote:
was told many years ago that the loose wound end of the bass strings was intended to make the string (usually the 5th and 6th) more flexible so the knot would cinch up easier.
Well that is not exactly true. The loose end thingy is part of the way the string winding machine ends a section of over wound string. It is incidental that it serves the purpose by being more supple. I prefer not to use that section when putting on strings, I usually cut it off altogether.
RE: String winding and saddle (in reply to Jeff Highland)
quote:
I'll have to disagree with Frank Ford here, don't believe there is a good reason for using this section
I don't agree with Frank Ford on about two dozen things. But these insignificant points are fantastic reasons to start epic flame wars after the End of the World!
RE: String winding and saddle (in reply to estebanana)
Haven't some of you noticed that many strings aren't loosely wound only at the end, but just before the end, so that the loosely wound part has normally wound string on both ends. This would suggest it's actually meant to go to the bridge.
Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: String winding and saddle (in reply to Wayne Brown)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Wayne Brown and seems to work for me.
I've actually started using the soft bit on the bridge since about sept last year and I like it alot. easier to tie and gives better angle at the saddle on a 6 hole bridge cuz it's not as thick/stiff a string to be pulling itself up away from the bridge.
Printable Version
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread