OT New use for shrink tubing

[Lonehdrider]

Probably has been done before, but I thought I'd mention it.. I was having trouble with my 90' american strat plus cutting strings right as it went through the body. I broke countless strings before getting a clue (ok I'm slow alright?). Being somewhat financially challenged right now and not wanting to send it to the Guitar Doctor, I found that the small shrink tubing fit over my .010 and .013 string quite well. I cut a small piece, pushed the new string through the body, slid the tube on so it fit into the metal hole in the strat tailpiece and then strung it up as normal. The tube keeps the string from chaffing and seems to work well. It should be noted that I have very heavy spring in my trem as I don't use it, if it were used it 'might' cut the tubing, but the stuff seems pretty tough and I haven't broken a string since. (I just jinxed that, I wouldn't take odds on breaking a string tonight at jam... ). Just a little trivia I thought I'd pass on...

Regards,

Lone

[Peter Snowberg]

Cool tip. Thanks!

How does it affect the sustain?

Take care,
-Peter

[bwanasonic]

This tip was used by SRV on his Strats. You can find this and a veritable pantload of other cool guitar setup and repair tips in Dan Erlewine's "Guitar Player Repair Guide". The shrink tubing tip is found in a chapter where he compares the setups of both Stevie's and Jeff Beck's Strats, from when they toured together.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0879302917/qid=1085634489/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-7305509-1193746?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Kerry M

[Ansil]

straws work well too.  

[Lonehdrider]

Cool tip. Thanks!

How does it affect the sustain?

Take care,
-Peter

Peter,

It does'nt seem to effect sustain, as its after the saddles, its nice to have to change strings from age, rather than breakage, thats for sure.  ( didn't know SRV and them used it but considering his usage of the trem it doesn't surprise me alot, but I had seen other plastic tubing used before.).

Regards,

Lone

[casey]

i used to use the hard plastic insulation on regular wires....like #14 or
#12 wire, or even smaller, depending on the gauge of the string.