Which way to twist bass strings

[Richard Moody]

| In a message dated 5/21/2002 1:48:16 AM Eastern Daylight
Time,
| remoody@midstatesd.net writes:
|
|
| > Twist it in the direction that will
| > tighten the loop.  It is instantly visible which way to
turn
| > by looking how the loop twisted.  You do NOT want to
twist
| > so the loop will unwind.
|
| Not So!!  Schaff bass strings hitch pin loops are twisted
clockwise.  Mapes
| are counter clockwise.  Windings from both string makers
are counter
| clockwise.
|
| Randy Mangus,RPT

Is this consistant?   I have Schaff Universals  with the
loop in both directions about 50/50.  These are all 15 years
or older.  Did they recently change? If so I wonder what the
explanation is.   I have never really paid attention to loop
twist direction---until now.
After all these years I thought I had discovered a way to to
twist without bringing out the magnifying glass as even some
of the larger windings take close examination to determine
direction.  No I do not need bifocals.....yet.

For me it is logical to have the hitchpin loop tighten as
you are twisting.  Whether it makes a difference or not gets
into the difference between theory and practice.   I will go
with logic if only for making sense in design.  I would
rather have the loop in the direction of tighter esp when I
start pulling on it to the tune of 200 lbs or more.
But your point out of Schaff difference is interesting
and one more example of the how true the old tried and true
methods are, "twist in the direction of the winding" just
when I thought I had discovered a short cut.
    ---ric