NBSD: GHS Brite Flats for Hofner

[Grahambythesea]

Having acquired a Violin Bass for a bit of fun noodling earlier this year, I changed the strings immediately from the short scale round sounds someone had put on it where the tapers didn’t even make it through the nut. I thought Flats are the way to go, but knowing you need medium scale, there weren’t many around so I puT on a Hofner Contemporary, knowing they’d fit. They were a bit disappointing to my ear, particularly the E string which was more dull thud than I like. (Some people like that so if you want a second hand almost new set give me a shout). 
So I set about some homework, it’s lockdown what else was there to do. 
I read GHS had started making their short scale strings longer to accommodate basses with tailpieces. Flat brites  (otherwise ground wounds) seemed like a compromise. And so they have proved, a good balanced resonance across all strings and short scale fit the violin bass, BUT they have far too much silk winding which needed cutting back to avoid sitting in the nut. Now of course it’s going fluffy as it continues to unravel. Why do we need silks at all! 👎

At first they felt sharp, slightly sticky to the touch, not what I expected, but a quick rub over with fine emery and a polish or two with Fast Fret and they’re fine. Sound good, feel good, fit well.👍🏼
No more need to hunt for rare medium scale strings, but please GHS be meaner with the silk if you must have it at all!

 

[grandad]

Trim the fluff and seal with a little bit of superglue.

[Grahambythesea]

Last time I tried to use super glue I ended stuck to a nut I was trying to fix.  A bit of glue’s a good idea but I think I might use something a little less strong than superglue.