Guitar: Weedwhacker strings

Subject: RE: Tech: Weedwhacker strings
From: Cappuccino
Date: 02 Jul 16 - 05:01 AM

They are quite remarkable. They do indeed get their name from the similarity to weed strimmers, but are made of nylon with a Kevlar core. Apparently they were first invented for rockabilly 'slapping'. One curious aspect of them is the range of colours - I ordered them in 'plain', which means I can see the string core through the outer. Another odd thing is, unlike many double-bass and bass guitar sets, that they define the string sizes - the set I got is 95-155, I think.

The price is incredible - a single decent double-bass string in the UK is £25 or so, and I think these were mailed to me from the States for thirty dollars.

However, I had heard that they were prone to stretching and lost their intonation. I fitted my set yesterday, and they seemed to hold their tuning overnight. They're certainly very comfortable to play... like a heavy set of classical guitar strings. I'll be taking my bass to a ceilidh rehearsal session on Monday (Occasional Ceilidh Band, Norfolk, England) and we'll see how they stand up.

Meanwhile, you can find them at slaphappyweedwackers.com - they're in a place called Austin, MN.

Cheers
-Cappuccino, Norfolk, UK

Subject: RE: Tech: Weedwhacker strings
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 05:57 PM

Weedwhacker strings often have edges to them to help cut the grass. I wouldn't like to play those.

Subject: RE: Tech: Weedwhacker strings
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 03:31 PM

You don't have as much choice for really heavy strings.

For the melody strings on an Afghan or Kasmiri rubab the string of choice is marine fishing line.

Somewhere on Mudcat there is a long thread on the right string for a washtub or teachest bass. Possum guts probably came into it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Weedwhacker strings
From: Helen
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 03:20 PM

This thread reminds me of when I had a small lap harp made for me in Oz about 15 years ago. I even travelled down south to try out the maker's harps before ordering mine.

When mine arrived the nylon strings were so hard they reminded me of tennis racquet strings. They were difficult to pluck and the sound was lifeless. I immediately sent off to a string company in the US and bought the same beautiful strings I have on the larger harp. The difference was amazing.

So, unless the weedwhacker string is soft and pliable, I wouldn't recommend using it to make music with. LOL

Helen

Subject: RE: Tech: Weedwhacker strings
From: Jack Campin
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 02:24 PM

Are they literally weedwhacker string?

If so it'd be cheaper to get them on 10 metre rolls from a garden centre.

Subject: Tech: Weedwhacker strings
From: Cappuccino
Date: 01 Jul 16 - 01:52 PM

I've been searching for a few years for a European source of Weedwhacker double bass strings - these are the extremely cheap synthetic things. I finally found the address of the makers in America, who mailed a single set to the UK very quickly. What curious strings these are... does anyone else have any experience of them, please?