Fw: Twisting New Bass Strings

[paul bruesch]

Paul et al,

I'm not sure where I heard it, but I thought a twist in a plain-wire string
would bring about ("false") beating. As you point out it shortens the length
of what is being twisted (one, maybe two string(s) of a three-string
"unison") resulting in a need for higher tension in one, maybe two string(s)
of a three-string "unison". What does that do to the "unison?"  I put
"unison" in quotes, 'cuz I'm wondering if they all make "one sound," i.e.
"uni-son".  While it may not result in beating, I would expect that the
twisted string(s) would produce a different sound than untwisted neighbor
string(s).

This is a question... not a lecture!  Is my thinking on the right track??

Thanks,
Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN


On 8/4/07, PAULREVENKOJONES <paulrevenkojones at aol.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Terry and James:
>
> Thanks much for the response. I still have some questions.
>
> In a message dated 08/04/07 09:20:38 Central Daylight Time,
> mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com writes:
>
> Dear Terry,
>
> Thanks for the e-mail. Let me put in my two cents.
> First , let me say that false beating is our enemy.
> You probably would not put a twist in plain wire. Right?
>
> Probably not, but twisting doesn't cause false beats, it merely shortens
> the length of what is being twisted and requires higher tension for any
> desired frequency.
>
> However there is a reason you should put a twist in most bass strings.
> Here is my simple explanation of why.
> The old fashion, tried and true traditional synchronized lathe winding
> technique yields one minor anomaly.
> After the string is made it will unwind or backlash a little when removed
> from the machine. This is due to the torsional forces imparted during the
> winding process.
> The reason string winders have traditionally recommended to put a twist in
> the wire on installation is simply to off set this built-in backlash. It
> should take less twists (maybe only 1/2) in the big wires and more twists
> (maybe 1 1/2) in the small ones. The exact amount will be known by your
> string maker.
>
> Well, my approach was to build a new type of string winding machine that
> among other things calculate this backlash and turn one side of the lathe at
> a slightly different rate as to offset the backlash. The length and
> diameters being  variables. The proof that the derived formula  works is
> that when the string comes off my machine there is no backlash. So why
> twist?
>
> So, if one end is turning slightly slower, there is a built-up twist in
> the core when the string is done? And after being released from the lathe,
> that twist is now being held by the crimped ends of the winding at the
> swage? So the core wire is internally torqued (torsioned) and on
> installation without a twist will act like a string that has had a twist put
> on it when being strung? So in essence, the swage is being made to act as a
> torsion clamp for the twisted core? Is this a fair restatement of what
> you're describing?
>
> During stringing, when turning the core wire onto a tuning pin, generally
> the core is being twisted in the opposite direction of the winding (check
> this out by installing a bass string, then while still slack remove it from
> the hitch pin--it will "untwist" slightly, maybe a half-turn, in the
> direction of the winding). This would argue for me that under any
> circumstances a twist in the direction of the winding at the hitch pin on
> installation is advisable to offset the untwist and compensate for lack of
> internal torsion in the core to clamp the winding at the swages.
>
> Am I totally off-base here?
>
> Paul
>
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