Alba Guitar Beads

[Steve_Karl]

Hey there,
I just bought these because for my Nylon Strat (a strat strung with nylon strings) because it's such a PIA to tie brass balls onto then ends of nylon strings.

 

[AleForce1]

Hey there,
I just bought these because for my Nylon Strat (a strat strung with nylon strings) because it's such a PIA to tie brass balls onto then ends of nylon strings.

thanks. I just bought a set for my classical guitar.

 

[Steve_Karl]

thanks. I just bought a set for my classical guitar.

Be aware that the delivery is from the UK and eventually USPS gets it and there is ~signature required~ .
HOWEVER, we are allowed to 'authorise' an other person to sign for the package.
So I printed up a page that authorised my mail person, delivery person 'carrier' to sign for the package,
I signed the bottom of the printed page, taped it above my mail slot and that worked. My carrier signed for it.

 

[AleForce1]

Be aware that the delivery is from the UK and eventually USPS gets it and there is ~signature required~ .
HOWEVER, we are allowed to 'authorise' an other person to sign for the package.
So I printed up a page that authorised my mail person, delivery person 'carrier' to sign for the package,
I signed the bottom of the printed page, taped it above my mail slot and that worked. My carrier signed for it.

noted thanks.

 

[aarontunes]

I had a set of those on my nylon string for a while and ended up ditching them because I found it easier to tie them the traditional way.

On a guitar where you must have a "ball-end" I'll bet they are a godsend.

 

[supertruper1988]

I am confused. I know that several string makers have ball end Nylon strings. Is there some reason you wouldnt just use those?

 

[Steve_Karl]

I tried the Ernie Ball ball end nylon strings - the E and The B balls broke of in less than a week.
They were plastic balls.
I just assumed the other makers ball ended strings would be just as poorly made.
I also thought the sound and feel of the EB ball ended were not nearly as good as the
D'Addario EJ27N that I eventually got - based on a recommendation by a friend. Price also was better on the D'Addario EJ27N.

These Alba Beads will also make it much easier to try other different brands and sets of strings.

 

[AleForce1]

I am confused. I know that several string makers have ball end Nylon strings. Is there some reason you wouldnt just use those?

What interested me other then being another guitar gadget, a few years ago I ordered one set of D'Addario nylon strings from Amazon. They sent 10 sets of Pro Arte's instead, so these might make faster/easier to string up.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Wow! Great deal on the 10 sets!

 

[Steve_Karl]

Update:
Last week I put a set of D'Addario Pro Art on using the beads. Pretty easy.
I discovered that the only string I want to do a double loop-through is the High E.

I didn't like the feel of the Pro Art compared to my usual set which is the D'Addario EJ27N
. . . probably because I'm very used to them, so I restrung with EJ27N just now and the second time with the beads is
much easier.

I'm just, right now, doing the tune sharp for 10 minutes (one string at a time) trick to stretch them into a more reliable stability.
Hi E up to about F# or G
B up to D or D#
G up to C
D up to E or F#
A up to C or D
Low up E to A
I use the timer on my mobile phone and leave them tuned sharp for 6 to 10 minutes - one at a time.
Then re-tune to correct pitch and do the next string.

6 minutes for steel strings is plenty and makes them perfectly stable after the first stretching.
10 min. for nylon - then just a bit of re-tuning for the next few days until they're as stable as nylon strings can be.

So, bottom line for me is - I like these beads.
It's a lot easier than tying a brass ball onto the string end.

 

[AleForce1]

Update:
Last week I put a set of D'Addario Pro Art on using the beads. Pretty easy.
I discovered that the only string I want to do a double loop-through is the High E.

I didn't like the feel of the Pro Art compared to my usual set which is the D'Addario EJ27N
. . . probably because I'm very used to them, so I restrung with EJ27N just now and the second time with the beads is
much easier.

I'm just, right now, doing the tune sharp for 10 minutes (one string at a time) trick to stretch them into a more reliable stability.
Hi E up to about F# or G
B up to D or D#
G up to C
D up to E or F#
A up to C or D
Low up E to A
I use the timer on my mobile phone and leave them tuned sharp for 6 to 10 minutes - one at a time.
Then re-tune to correct pitch and do the next string.

6 minutes for steel strings is plenty and makes them perfectly stable after the first stretching.
10 min. for nylon - then just a bit of re-tuning for the next few days until they're as stable as nylon strings can be.

So, bottom line for me is - I like these beads.
It's a lot easier than tying a brass ball onto the string end.

Mine set arrived on Thursday, so it took 9 days to receive. Strung up my guitar with a new set w/ these beads. Good idea to do the double-loop on the high E.