Loop strings in a pin bridge?

Subject: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 31 May 11 - 03:49 PM

I've often removed the ball to use as loops in an emergency, but never the other way round.

I have a big bunch of old loops that I probably don't need, and fancy experimenting with some whacky tunings on a spare instrument - anyone ever tried it?

Any tips appreciated

Thanks

Tom

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: Bernard
Date: 31 May 11 - 05:00 PM

Ey up Tom!

It's easy enough - just be careful not to kink the loop when you give it a few twists, or the string will break under tension.

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:20 AM

Well hello there old chap.

Am I twisting the loop round the pin?

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: Stanron
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:32 AM

If you have old sets of strings it's not difficult to put the old ball ends (I've always called them toggles) into loops. The simplest way is to put string through toggle hole and then through the loop. In the past I have used a small nut instead. It's not a good idea to put the loop around the pin.

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 04:45 AM

I usually squeeze the ball with pliers, upon which it cracks. The loop-through-ball option can work, but on my older mandolins the knot then pulls too tight and there's no room for the balls in line. Plus the edge of the ball can pinch the string and cause it to fail.

Yes, I was very wary of looping round the pin - specially as these happen to be plastic ones. I'm not quite sure what Bernard meant. Perhaps to twist round a spare ball? I have none of those, as they are destroyed in the removal process (which I very rarely do anyway).

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:13 AM

IF I am throwing old strings away , rsther than keeping a set for emrgencies i tend to save the end pieces in case I have an accident and lose one .. its VERY easy to romove the string from the end piece, and store them in a small bag or tin

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:23 AM

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:26 AM

whaaaa?

Anyway - yes that's a good idea Terry. Should have though of that. I've only ever removed balls (ouch) because I needed the string. But I have to change 6 instruments this week - that's 42 ball ends for my tin.

Thanks all

t

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:46 AM

Have you tried using a little glass, plastic or metal bead with a small hole, from a cheap necklace , and feeding the string through it?

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 06:57 AM

I'm afraid I only ever wear natural pearls

(I'll go and raid the mrs' jewels box ;-)

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST,Scabby Douglas
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 07:11 AM

Just a thought.

Have you thought about using split lead shot of the type used for weighting fishing line? That would crimp/clamp on to the wire loop fairly easily, although now that I think about it, might not be quite so easy on the bigger gauge, bass-end strings.


Hmm....

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 08:34 AM

Well some kind person once gave me some loop 75s? and I thought I'd try one on my peg bridge Buchanan mandocello (there's not room for both) - but the crimp might work on a very fine string. I'm going to have a go at a fully-octave tuned m/cello, which will go from 60-something (the 70-something will almost certainly be unplayable) on the low C to a 9 or less for the high A. I very much doubt it'll work though (I'll certainly need to hide the high string behind the low octave, or it'll snap upon striking.

Subject: RE: Loop strings in a pin bridge?
From: Bernard
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 01:39 PM

I'm fine, lad, and you?

So...

When you're inserting the ball into the loop it's usually easier if you can find a thin screwdriver (jeweller's type) that will go through the hole in the ball... assuming it's not a solid ball, of course! I'm guessing if the ball cracks it must have a hole in it?

Once you've got the ball in, holding the twisted bit of the loop with needle-nose pliers and giving the screwdriver a couple of careful twists to match those already there should hold it in place.

No, I didn't mean put the loop around the pin! That would never work!