D'Addario unwound string ball knot slippage @ wraptail bridge?

[topekatj]

I've been using D'Addario EXL 110's on my electrics, with either tunamatic or strat/tremelo bridges for a long time. I picked up a wraptail Hamer a (*long*) while back and even after considerable break-in the unwound strings would NOT stay in tune on the guitar, especially the B and G strings. A not-so large bend on the ol' B string, and BOOM, flat again. They would never, for the life of the set, stay in tune even marginally well. Numerous sets, even tried the 110+'s (w/ a 10.5 high E). Same thing. I even double knotted the B string at the tuner, acoustic guitar style, same outcome. The same batches of strings were working fine on my other non-wraptail guitars. I even contacted, D'Addario, and they sent me some replacement sets, etc., but no difference. I was convinced the wraptail guitar had a "rubber neck" and considered selling it.

The last time I ordered strings I noticed the D'Addario EKXL 110 set, 'reinforced for tremelo bridges'. I figured the EKXL's might actually be soldered, but it appears they're just knotted better at the ball end. As a last resort I bought a few sets and installed a set on 'ol' rubber neck'. After an initial break-in/stretch on the wraptail, the tuning is holding up GREAT! Even after 30-40 minutes of pretty drastic bluesy string bending, THE GUITAR IS STILL IN TUNE! I am so happy I could sh**!

Anyone else have tuning issues particular to the wraptail?

[Caddie]

7 hours ago, topekatj said:

THE GUITAR IS STILL IN TUNE! I am so happy I could sh**!

Anyone else have tuning issues particular to the wraptail?

I am so happy I could sh**!   Don't do that.  It will never play like buttah again. 😄

Yeah.  That Wilky single slide can be maddening to set up.  Ya gotta be extremely patient when you're trying to get intonation dialed in.  However once you get it dialed in you'll have great sustain and a stable bridge.  Whatever it takes to boost your patience and steady your hands use it.  Jack D, weed, oxy,  John Lee Hooker, Pink Floyd... choose your poison of choice.  It probly goes without saying but I'll say it anyway.  When its time to change strings leave the bridge alone, in place.  Take the strings off one-at-a-time and put the replacement on. Or if you are really concerned about keeping it balanced, remove the E and the e, the A and b, blah, blah, blah.........Cheers🍻

caddie

[Hbom]

I switched mine out for a Faber bridge. Made a big difference. They have a newer model now that I've never used but I imagine it works well too.

[topekatj]

Guys, Thanks for the replies. I ditched the Wilkinson early on but still had the tuning issues with the intonatable wraptail. I finally convinced myself the B string knots were slipping when I gave the knot (on a non-EKXL string) an extra crimp, using pliers, before I installed it. That time, tuning stability improved noticeably. 

[JimHalinda]

I play D'addario EXL120s (9s), and lately I've had quite a few strings (both wound and unwound) suddenly go flat. Even on a guitar with locking tuners and a stock TOM type bridge / tailpiece setup.

 

I've wondered if it was the knots slipping... I'll have to see if I can find the EKXLs locally.

[topekatj]

Hey Jim, Thanks for chiming in — I’m glad to know that I am not the only player noticing this! Check out juststrings.com for the EKXL120 (9-42) set. I’d post a link direct to the set but there’s a problem with their server at present. Good luck, and let me know how it works out!

http://search.juststrings.com/search?catalog=juststrings&query=EKXL&x=0&y=0

TJ

 

 

[DaveH]

Are you sure you don’t have a nut, or machine issue?

[topekatj]

6 minutes ago, DaveH said:

Are you sure you don’t have a nut, or machine issue?

Hi Dave, Thanks for the comment. Yes, I'm sure it's not a nut or tuner issue -- I actually changed the tuners at one point, and no difference, As I mentioned, slippage was worst on the B string, and this was reduced when I crimped the knot on the B string before installing new strings at one point. I discounted the nut being the culprit since I kept having to tune UP to restore pitch and tension to be in tune.

The EKXL's are winners. I wish they would just knot all their strings in that fashion.

[Armitage]

Try a touch of solder to see if the problem goes away... 99% of tuning issues are usually the nut.

[topekatj]

On 7/3/2018 at 3:38 AM, Armitage said:

Try a touch of solder to see if the problem goes away... 99% of tuning issues are usually the nut.

Hi, yes I thought about trying solder instead -- reminded me of the old Fender 'Bullet' strings. The EKXL's are working great for me. 

[Jakeboy]

I was having similar issues with the Duesenberg Trem on my Artist. Once I started solderering the wraps all was good but that pissed me off so I moved on to EB Reinforced strings and the issue is fixed in an easier way. I have gazillions of   D’Addarios Around and I’ll use them on fixed bridges exclusively. TOMs and my Teles.....

[topekatj]

1 hour ago, Jakeboy said:

...so I moved on to EB Reinforced strings 

How do the EB's feel/play? It's been a while since I tried using Slinkys!

[hamerhead]

Yep. I used to buy the bulk shop box (25 sets) and had one batch with bad E and B string winds at the ball. D'Addario replaced them (even sent extras), but it sucked trying to figure out what the hell was wrong. I soldered the rest of the box and didn't have a problem after that.