MrTea Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 I've got an old Hohner B2A fretless which I've been meaning to set up properly for ages. Does anyone know the best option to get some decent flats on these? Is it worth upgrading the headstock to take regular strings and if so which part do I need? I had a look on eBay and couldn't quite work out whether options I'd seen like this would do the trick ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-String-Electric-Headless-Bass-Guitar-Locking-Nut-with-Mounting-Screws-Wrench-/293146773871?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292 Any help much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 You could also consider speaking to Newtone Strings who might be able to make you some custom strings to your own spec. https://newtonestrings.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 When I had one I used LaBella S660 nylon tapewounds on it. No need to mess with changing to conventional strings unless availability of double ball end strings is the problem locally. I use this supplier, but after Brexit you may prefer a UK-based one. https://lordofthestrings.com/en/bass/electric/double-ball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTea Posted March 7, 2021 Author Share Posted March 7, 2021 Thanks guys. Double ball ends are still an option. I'd just wondered if possible to convert to using regular strings would open up my options (I also have some flats sitting around which aren't being used). I do like those tape wounds though .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 My Sei has a head(less) end that will take double ball end strings or clamp regular strings. I've always found Status db strings fine in round flat and half rounds flavours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 I have a set of Picato double ball stainless flats on my B2A. This set has been on the bass for well over over twenty years and still sound great but it looks like Picato have ceased production. I believe Picato also made Status Hotwires and looking at the Status website it seems double ball flats are all sold out. I don’t know whether Status are any closer to finding a new supplier. The only double ball flats listed on strings direct are LaBellas which cost an eye-watering £75! There used to be a clamp widget that works similar to a terminal block but fashioned from brass that enabled normal strings to be used on the b2a, however I recall hearing it was not recommended for flatwounds as it wasn’t possible to clamp onto them. Sorry I’ve not been any help - I hope you find something suitable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Just before Christmas I bought Status flats and half rounds, so they still have someone making them! These were short scale. Haven't tried the flats yet as the half rounds went on first and I really like them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 http://stringadapter.com/string-adapter/compare-prices/ This adapter will hold regular single-ball strings without modifications to your bass. It anchors behind the headpiece. I'm not aware of the issue @Jean-Luc Pickguard pointed out about it not being suitable for flatwounds. It might be worth contacting the company to ask though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 11 hours ago, LeftyJ said: http://stringadapter.com/string-adapter/compare-prices/ This adapter will hold regular single-ball strings without modifications to your bass. It anchors behind the headpiece. I'm not aware of the issue @Jean-Luc Pickguard pointed out about it not being suitable for flatwounds. It might be worth contacting the company to ask though! I'm using one of these adaptors with flat-wound strings and have had no problems. The hole that you thread the string through is slightly dished, and the end of the locking screw is slightly convex, so it crimps the string outer against its inner, and so the string does not unravel if you remove it once it has been cut. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 On 08/03/2021 at 23:18, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: I have a set of Picato double ball stainless flats on my B2A. This set has been on the bass for well over over twenty years and still sound great but it looks like Picato have ceased production. I believe Picato also made Status Hotwires and looking at the Status website it seems double ball flats are all sold out. I don’t know whether Status are any closer to finding a new supplier. The only double ball flats listed on strings direct are LaBellas which cost an eye-watering £75! There used to be a clamp widget that works similar to a terminal block but fashioned from brass that enabled normal strings to be used on the b2a, however I recall hearing it was not recommended for flatwounds as it wasn’t possible to clamp onto them. Sorry I’ve not been any help - I hope you find something suitable. I think the Picato strings are still available on eBay. Look here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) 40 minutes ago, TheGreek said: I think the Picato strings are still available on eBay. Look here No double-ball end flats though, and looks like they're all NOS. Picato still has a website which isn't very helpful and directs you to Strings and Things. Edited March 10, 2021 by LeftyJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 I've just followed the link in your original post - no, don't go for that one. It's a replacement for everything beyond the nut, and may not fit the neck profile, or allow you access to your truss rod. Also, there are a couple of clamp-bars on the fretboard side, which pull the strings down onto the nut or zero fret, but do not clamp them enough to allow you to safely cut them. For that, each string has to be bent through 90 degrees and fed through a hole to be clamped by the screws on the end of the headstock. Roundwounds can bend like that, flatwounds tend to split and unravel. If you look at the clamping screws in the picture, you will se that they are 90 degrees round from where you might expect them to be. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-4-String-Electric-Headless-Bass-Guitar-Locking-Nut-With-Screws-Hex-Key/284165012089?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3D33b30b56236349f5ab09652353c95d31%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D293146773871%26itm%3D284165012089%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWeb%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851 is the same part, but the pictures show it better. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTea Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 Thanks all. Not sure I like the idea of risking the import tax on ordering the adapter from the US. I did find these though - I wonder if they're still available somewhere and would work? https://www.musique-shop.fr/uk/steinberger-bass-string-adapter-4-string-bass.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aGCBhCwARIsAHDl5x9YoCndcLGZ4232o0fuvcrxY05cpaRYf4mCUqja_tthJogr7GkMSecaAv0bEALw_wcB Otherwise it doesn't look much difference in price on ordering some double ball end flats or the adapter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 6 hours ago, LeftyJ said: No double-ball end flats though, and looks like they're all NOS. Picato still has a website which isn't very helpful and directs you to Strings and Things. No idea why these didn't come up in my original post https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Picato-Double-Ball-End-45-105-Standard-Nickel-Wound-Bass-Guitar-Strings-97314/273864531396?epid=2163431869&hash=item3fc3991dc4:g:jLwAAOSwtu9c67U5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 1 hour ago, MrTea said: Thanks all. Not sure I like the idea of risking the import tax on ordering the adapter from the US. I did find these though - I wonder if they're still available somewhere and would work? https://www.musique-shop.fr/uk/steinberger-bass-string-adapter-4-string-bass.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aGCBhCwARIsAHDl5x9YoCndcLGZ4232o0fuvcrxY05cpaRYf4mCUqja_tthJogr7GkMSecaAv0bEALw_wcB Otherwise it doesn't look much difference in price on ordering some double ball end flats or the adapter. That looks very similar to mine, which works on my Hohner B2v, so it should work if you can find one. Buying the adaptor brings in savings when you next want to change strings - you have more choices. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 9 hours ago, TheGreek said: No idea why these didn't come up in my original post https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Picato-Double-Ball-End-45-105-Standard-Nickel-Wound-Bass-Guitar-Strings-97314/273864531396?epid=2163431869&hash=item3fc3991dc4:g:jLwAAOSwtu9c67U5 Those are double-ball, but not flatwound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 27, 2021 Share Posted March 27, 2021 I think I still have a part used 5er set of Picato flats in the Projects Box, will have a look. I preferred half rounds and rounds. Main reason for posting is that I made mine decades back from a couple of slices of brass and with only a hand drill (hence the slightly squiffy holes!) Works nicely, and I once had a low B string pull apart but cured it with a drop of superglue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.