Converting loop end strings to ball end?

[DMC]

It can be hard to find ball-end mandolin strings here in Dublin. I could just use guitar strings but I have a spare set of loop ends that I was told are easy to fit ...yeah easy if you know how!! It's only til I get my hands on a new set of ball ends but can anyone tell me how you go about this? Thanks

[johnwalser]

Take the little balls off an old set of strings, put a touch of "Shoe Goo" (silicone in a tube that dries to a rubber like sustance) into the groove and slip balls into loops. Once they dry, (1/2 hour or so) just string up your instrument.
John

[DMC]

Thanks John!

[mandroid]

FWIW addendum: , with my odd fender FM61se a single ball can hold both strings in the 4 thru-the-body ferrules, balls from cello strings, a trifle larger, holds both without any extra effort.
tried using 2 ballend strings and when one string breaks, the other has to be loosened also to change it.

[misifus]

IIRC, John Pearse makes a device to make either a loop end or ball end on any string.

-Raf

[Lee]

I've found that the barrels don't come out of the loop without either cutting the loop, or destroying the barrel. I can't understand how johnwalser's idea would work. What type of strings are you using?

[mikeomando]

You cut the ball-end off of a worn-out string to remove the ball, and transfer it over to a new loop-end string to convert it to ball-end. I've done it a few times myself, and it isn't very much fun. It would be easier to buy single ball-end strings and make up a set, or find some place you can order 'em that'll ship to where you are. I solved the string problem by buying a load of different strings when I could find 'em and keeping them in a big box. When I need strings late on a Saturday night that box is always open.

[Lee]

This discussion reminds me of one my more bizzare childhood obsessions: collecting the tiny balls from ball point pens. To do so requires mutilating the tip of the ball point pen and sticking a needle up into it to push the tiny ball out. Then cleaning it off with solvent and putting it into a little glass vial before loosing it. Under a microscope it's the difference in surface textures and feature among the different brands is amazing.

[mandroid]

A small diagonal cutter, that I use for string changes, anyhow, cuts loop off old guitar players broken string easily, the Cello end balls came from local repair shop. he saved them. whattaguy.
yea, JP sells bags (100) of them guitar balls ,too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[DMC]

Thanks for the advice.

I took the balls (barrels?) off the old strings using a wire cutter. It was easy enough. I thought I had a tube of silicone somewhere but I don't. But I didn't need it.

I fed the loop-end string through and started to fit them - the loop itself stops the string being pulled clean through (like the barrel normally does) but obviously only to a point - if the tension gets too high it'll pull right through. So I continued tightening the strings until the loop was starting to compress and pull through just a little. When there's just enough room to squeeze in the old barrel do so and continue tightening! It was pretty easy and they are as secure as you like and the mando stays in tune.

[uinsin42]

Improvise: Tighten loop around 2mm toggle bolt cut into suitable lengths, the threads will hold the string in place. Rotosound singles is the easy option.:whistling:

[Fretbear]

Slide the loop-end string through a spare ball. When the ball reaches the loop, you can pull the end of the string through the loop to lock it in place.

[Ray(T)]

Plan ahead! I assume that its much the same in Dublin as it is in the UK - I always buy my strings, several sets at a time, by mail order. You get exactly what you want and, including delivery, can get them at little more than half the price you can buy them in a music shop.

[uinsin42]

Had I the the spare barrels(Balls) there would not have been a reason to improvise which was tedious job that I would not repeat.:disbelief: