Alternative ways of holding strings

[TheGreek]

Designing a "headless" bass but would rather have a headstock (of sorts) and don't want to use the traditional cut off Status style nut. I've looked at the Laurus system but this only works because it has normal tuners at the wrong end. I've thought about using a bicycle brake type system (or the inside of a plug) to hold the string at the head end.

I'm hoping that collectively we could design a way of making this work. Trying to keep this as minimalist/invisible as possible.

Can anybody know/think of existing (trick) parts which could be used?

[Happy Jack]

A headless bass with a headstock?

I don't know what you're smoking, Mick, but save some for me, yeh?

[Cato]

I've always though this BC Rich 8 string has quite an elegant solution for the Octave strings, which could possibly translate into a headed headless bass.

The bass, note tuners at bottom of body.


https://goo.gl/images/cW3GFw

The headstock string holder thingy.

https://goo.gl/images/71pq3h

Edited March 19, 2017 by Cato

[TheGreek]

I'm thinking of stuff like this:

[url="http://www.cablegrip.co.uk/swivels.php"]http://www.cablegrip.co.uk/swivels.php[/url]





[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Throttle-Clutch-Cable-Repair-Kit-Motorcycle-MX-Off-Road-Motorbike-/331632590360"]http://www.ebay.co.u...e-/331632590360[/url]

Edited March 19, 2017 by TheGreek

[MoonBassAlpha]

https://ritter-instruments.com/R8-concept.php
Some lovely ideas here, gives a really clean look from the front.

[charic]

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1489963653' post='3261176']
[url="https://ritter-instruments.com/R8-concept.php"]https://ritter-instr.../R8-concept.php[/url]
Some lovely ideas here, gives a really clean look from the front.
[/quote]

I usually love the R8... but that one looks like a kids toy

[TimR]

Are you just looking for a way to hold the ball end so that you can't see the ball?

Some kind of bar with recesses for each string.

The only problem with recessing the ball is getting it out after it has been sitting there for several weeks/months/years under tension. You need some kind of slot as opposed to a hole.

There are lots of small engineering companies locally who might be able to machine you a prototype.

.

Edited March 20, 2017 by TimR

[Dazed]

Basslab do this, they have a full headstock without tuner. I can't get a decent pic of the string retainer though.

https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_1671-jpg.1075502/

Edited March 20, 2017 by Dazed

[Dood]

Jon Shuker and I are working on a really cool idea which I think is rather clever. For now though, here's a few headstocks that are a little more elegant than a cut off neck.













^^^ Nice!

Edited March 20, 2017 by dood

[TheGreek]

There are lots of ways to hold the ball end but we're looking for a way to hold the end [b][u]without[/u][/b] the ball. Andy's suggested a collett which will fit inside a ferrule which is cleaner/less visible than the Ritter system but may require a clamp across the nut. I'd be interested in more pics of this:

[Ghost_Bass]

Steinberger does this



But i have no idea how it's attached to the headstock or if it will work on the bass in question.

[TheGreek]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1489953906' post='3261092']
A headless bass with a headstock?

I don't know what you're smoking, Mick, but save some for me, yeh?
[/quote]

Don't need to smoke anything...I'm on medication

[Bolo]

The Sperzel trim-lok system without the tuner part?

[TheGreek]

I've got a spare - looked at it but can't see how it would work...thankfully Andy knows what he's doing and has a few ideas.

[tommorichards]

I think something with grub screws and a bend could work. Ive been looking into this too, but most of the ideas ive wleaned towards were with holding ball ends as its way simpler.

[TimR]

The problem with with trying to find a way of holding strings without ball ends, is it brings in an added complexity.

You need a pair of cutters to cut off the ball end. You need an Allen key to undo and retighten the grub screw.

Anything goes wrong with a string at a gig and instead of restringing in 30 seconds while the singer chats you have a minor engineering exercise on your hands.

.

Edited March 20, 2017 by TimR

[MacDaddy]

There were basses at the LBGS which had a tuner-less headstock, tuners without the ears, and fine tuners at the bridge.
Can't remember the company though ��

Edited March 20, 2017 by MacDaddy

[TheGreek]

I think that was Stonefield - the head end was still quite cumbersome. We're looking for an "invisible" method.

https://stonefield-musical-instrument-company.myshopify.com/pages/hardware

I think we're looking at Dood's suggestion with a clamp on the nut to reduce the likelihood of slippage.

Still open to suggestions though. Somebody else must have come to a solution.

[MacDaddy]

Yep that's them Stonefield. Nice basses, surprisingly comfortable.

[MoonBassAlpha]

Anyone thought of locking cams yet? :
http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US4574678

[ivansc]

Had a look at a Bassix? I just got one. Very interesting take on the whole invisible tuner/string retainer idea.

[TheGreek]

I've tried googling but can't find an image and the website is suspended. Don't suppose you could post some images???

cheers

[ivansc]

I will see if I can persuade my wife, the lovely Mrs. Terrible, to unlimber her box brownie....

[MoonBassAlpha]

Is your middle name "The" ?

[tommorichards]

I suppose you could use normal tuner posts, but without the mechanism. Pop the string in, wrap it round twice, then over the nut. As long as you tighten it from the bridge end, it shouldnt come out, in the same way a normal string doesnt. Heres a poo paint rendition of the system.