| Author | Message | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 1030 Registered: 9-2004 |
Why do they put that red (or blue, or ?) fuzzy crap on the end of your bass strings, anyway? I have just realized that after all the decades of playing, I don't really know the answer. I know many companies don't use it, in its various colors, and it does not seem to really do anything but get in the way. Inquiring minds want to know...  | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 885 Registered: 6-2014 |
Color-coding between gauges maybe? On upright strings, the silks keep the layers of windings bound together at the tapered ends. Whenever I cut a set to fit, I always singe the ends, and dip the tip in the candle wax to seal them. It's entirely possible (if not likely) this practice is just another one of those completely unnecessary OCD things I do, just because... =) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1885 Registered: 5-2006 |
I'm also not sure, maybe some kind of brand recognition? (though different brands can use the same color...) I hate it (the looks) especially on Alembics, luckily for me my favorite brand are just plain stainless steel.:-) | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Advanced Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 288 Registered: 2-2010 |
There's an old bar bet where a con bets the sucker that he can tie a cigarette in a knot without breaking the paper tube. The con wraps the cigarette tightly in the cellophane from the pack and then ties it in a knot. Ta da. Same principle: wrapping the ends of the strings in thread makes them less likely to break, and as Greg pointed out, helps keep the windings together. The color and gauge of the thread also denotes manufacturer, string gauge, batch, intended pitch, whatever. We only see them four at a time, but I suppose the color coding is handy for factory workers and bean-counters. Two reasons why we see it in bass strings is primarily because one: orchestral double bass strings were the first composite strings - originally, metal tape wrapped around a core of sheep's intestine, yum - so the thread wrapping kept the whole string from unwinding, and two: metal tuning machines (as opposed to a peg in a hole) were first handcrafted for string basses around 500 years ago. The silk windings on the string prevented metal-to-metal contact, and made it less likely the string would slip on the post. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2432 Registered: 10-2003 |
I think it's carryover from wrapping steel strings on wooden pegs. John |
