Chunk Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I read this and was wondering if anyone has tried it and how the strings react... This is a bit of work if you change strings often (and a labor of love if your repairman does it for you). Using a hot soldering iron with 60/40 resin-core solder, tin each string's wrapping at the ball end. This keeps it from slipping or tightening like a hangman's noose at the tailpiece. "Tinning" is the process of lightly pre-coating an electrical lead with solder and letting it cool before making the final solder joint. Well-tinned string wraps should shine like silver and never be gloppy or heavy with solder. The use of a 40-45 watt iron will enable you to get on and off the string in a flash, without overheating it. The low-wattage (15-25 watt) hardware store soldering irons will not work as well. Guitar Repair Guide I was thinking of practicing with old strings. all chucks children are out there playing his licks *Bob Seger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geoff Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Heating up a string enough for it to accept solder might ruin the temper and make it brittle. I probably wouldn't do this as I've never (in 50 years) had a problem with the nut end of a string unravelling. G. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the World will know Peace": Jimi Hendrix http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=738517&content=music The Geoff - blame Caevan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtail Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 No offense but that kind of sounds like "junk science" to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 this technique is for keeping the ball ends tight when using a non locking trem. for increased tuning stabilty. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtail Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 this technique is for keeping the ball ends tight when using a non locking trem. for increased tuning stabilty. Oh... ok. I didn't know it was a wang-bar fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillWelcome Home Studios Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 this technique is for keeping the ball ends tight when using a non locking trem. for increased tuning stabilty. Oh... ok. I didn't know it was a wang-bar fix. hmmm.... what a PITA. I also have been playing since the 1960s and I've never heard of this. I don't say that it won't work, just that as far as I can tell I've never needed it. I also agree that heating a string up to a temperature to properly accept the solder is likely going to make the string more brittle and prone to breakage, but how -much- more brittle is a question for a metalurgist, and with all of the different string compositions out there, the answer will likely differ from string type to string type. Bill "I believe that entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot." Steve Martin Show business: we're all here because we're not all there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Yeah, would definitely make the sting brittle and more prone to snapping. I would think that the chances of a heated string snapping are far higher then the chances of the ball coming off. Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtail Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I would have to agree with you Bill. I use D'Addarios. They've been making strings for years and I would say they know a thing or two about doing it. If tinning the ball ends produces better results, I'm sure they would have come up with an appropriate product a long time ago. Who knows? Maybe they have... since I don't use wang bars, it doesn't concern me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strategery Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Don't try that on a nylon string. :grin: Randy "Just play!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Yeah, would definitely make the sting brittle and more prone to snapping. I would think that the chances of a heated string snapping are far higher then the chances of the ball coming off. not so much for preventing the ball from coming off but rather to keep the slippage on the ball end to a minimum. but there is a better way... use bullet end fender strings. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Don't try that on a nylon string. :grin: Randy Everybody's a comedian!! The day I waste time tinning the ends of my strings is the day my kid calls an assisted living home and carts me off. But that's just me.. It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 this trick is mentioned by Dan Erlewhine in his repair book. it may have been an edge in the old days (i recall Evh mentioned it once) but with modern guitars designed with extreme trem action in mind it isn't really much of an advantage. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuben Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Its an old wifes (ok, guitar wifes tale). Tinning a string would also change the physical, magnetic and electrical characteristics of the string. You also create a weak spot where the string bends over the bridge making the sting prone to break. Tinning the string at the bridge end would also lessen the vibrations transmitted to the wood itself. Does anyone here remember freezing your strings" before putting them on? Peace http://www.spotcheckbilly.com http://www.littlefeat.net http://www.bonnieraitt.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuben Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Yikes! My signature is gone! http://www.spotcheckbilly.com http://www.littlefeat.net http://www.bonnieraitt.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuben Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 OK.. It's back... some one is messing with my mind beside the medical profession http://www.spotcheckbilly.com http://www.littlefeat.net http://www.bonnieraitt.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoes Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Ya... I have that book of his where this is mentioned and it didn't make any sense to me at all. I use bullets on the Strat so it doesn't apply and the others I've never once had a problem of that sort with. It's amazing how often you can pick up a guitar with a string job from hell knowing it just isn't going to stay in tune. Or hear somebody tune down to where they need rather than below and then back up. Those string bender things do de-stress the windings and are a good idea. So is stretching them out before tuning in. Soldering balls? I don't think so. I still think guitars are like shoes, but louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Fraser Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Does anyone here remember freezing your strings" before putting them on? No, but I have heard of the practice of boiling strings, apparently to get a bit more life out of a used set. Scott Fraser Scott Fraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strategery Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 YEah, I've had bass player to do that. Man, their strings are expensive!! Randy "Just play!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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