<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2627" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello Matthew and List</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When I am obliged to use these = "universal" bass strings to replace a broken - or missing - bass string I usually find = the helix hitch loop end is too long and have to shorten it accordingly. = For this I usually use the Broadwood double hitch pin loop and give a kink = on the core to stop it tightening up on the hitch pin. Then I calculate how = much stretch is likely to happen (I don't want the covering to go through the = agraffe/whatever - do I?) That established, use your side cutters to = score through the new covering and unwind the covering to be discarded. = You will need your side cutter to start opening up the covering and your = vise-grips to hold the covering to be discarded so you have firm control of the = proceedings. You will find that if you are replacing one-of-a-pair the sound will not = be right. You'll have to replace both. I once got away with replacing one = of a pair, but that was using a string-makers replacement from my pattern - = not using a "universal". That was touch and go!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Good luck, Matthew. I'm sure many = others will offer advice as well.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Michael = G.(UK)</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>