A Lot Of String Wrapped Around The Tuner - A Bad Thing?

Malice

I was getting some work done to one of my basses at the weekend. The person doing the repair work pointed out that there was a lot of string wrapped around the tuners and that this was bad for the tuners. I hadn't ever heard that before.

I didn't get a chance to check any of my other instruments but I would have thought it was fairly common to have a lot of string wrapped around, especially with basses. Does anyone know whether this is in fact the case?

Do I need to get the wire cutters out or can I leave things as they are?

slavetothegrind

He didn't say why specifically?

I can't think of any way it would affect the tuners at all!!?

You didn't manage to wrap the whole length around there did ya?:P

Malice

slavetothegrind wrote: »

He didn't say why specifically?

I can't think of any way it would affect the tuners at all!!?

You didn't manage to wrap the whole length around there did ya?:P

No he didn't elaborate at all. I know that bass strings tend to need more string wound around the tuner than guitar strings but I would have though that the bigger tuners can deal with the extra tension.

slavetothegrind

I'll give Kev in guitarfix a shout in the morning and risk berating for a stupid question:D

Seziertisch

I would imagine it would be more a case of bad for tuning as opposed to bad for the tuners. The more slack there is, the more slippage.

Rigsby

slavetothegrind wrote: »

I can't think of any way it would affect the tuners at all!!?

+1.

Seziertisch wrote: »

I would imagine it would be more a case of bad for tuning as opposed to bad for the tuners. The more slack there is, the more slippage.

I think this is probably the case. If there is too much string on the tuners, there is a chance the wraps might overlap each other, effecting the tuning. I usually have two and a half to three wraps on my basses.

This link might help.


http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_string_change/look_before_you_leap.html

68 lost souls

Yeah I reckon it would be more to do with the fact that it will go out of tune easier since there is a bit of play on the tuner end. More slippage and chance of the strings snapping if they are cutting each other.

Strings.ie

I've noticed some people get a bit funny about this insisting their method is the correct way. Some people like to use the system where you lock the string with an under and over technique. Personally I've always put between 2 and 4 wraps round the tuning post for wound strings and more for unwound strings. I just find the tuning holds better this way but I doubt there is much in it. Go with what you know

ball ox

I'm a fan of the "use the whole peg, but neatly" practice. IMO the more string that is wound around the peg, the stronger the joint/grip. It does have to be done neatly though. I also find that this makes the strings point of contact with the peg lower thus increasing the angle where the string meets the nut, May be a problem if your a fan of tremolo abuse though.

Strings.ie

ball ox wrote: »

I'm a fan of the "use the whole peg, but neatly" practice. IMO the more string that is wound around the peg, the stronger the joint/grip. It does have to be done neatly though.

ball ox, you're a man after my own heart. It has to be neatly but the thing that really gets my goat is untrimmed excess (sounds like a personal matter)
But you know what I mean. You gotta cut off the excess. If I catch any friends who do not trim, especially those who wind the excess into little circles around the tuning post they can bet they'll be getting a Planet Waves Pro Winder for Christmas from me!

ball ox

ha ha, string winders ftw. I tried changing strings without one recently and it was a horrible ordeal altogether

Seziertisch

If you are a bit of a whammy bar demon the old locking tuners are the way to go. The Schallers are particularly excellent.

Dangerous Man

I can't see it damaging the tuner. I suppose one could imagine that the extra tension that bass strings exert over a neck might affect either the tuning post or the screws in back of the headstock, but it's really doubtful. I'd also say that as long as your winds are neat and tidy, you should have no tuning issues. I used to use the locking technique but found it caused me more problems than it supposedly solved. Besides, it doesn't hurt to tune your guitar once in a while anyway...