How It's Made: Guitar Strings

[RayCJ]

Sorry if this has been posted here before...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMaVPN_E_iY

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbizZatTilU

Ray

[Rosewood99]

pretty cool. thanks!

[Slim]

That was fun to watch. Thanks for posting, Ray.

There was a discussion awhile back about whether strings "stretch" or not. The video shows them stretching and uses the term "elasticity". I guess they stretch. This video would have been perfect for that thread!

Tim

[RayCJ]

Originally Posted by Slim

That was fun to watch. Thanks for posting, Ray.

There was a discussion awhile back about whether strings "stretch" or not. The video shows them stretching and uses the term "elasticity". I guess they stretch. This video would have been perfect for that thread!

Tim

Oh yes, basically everything stretches (or bends). Look up Young's Modulus of Elasticity. It's a basic measurement of a metal's ability to deform and return to normal (or not) under stress. The stress could be in the form of either a bending or stretching force.

My guess is that the secret sauce among different strings relates to not only the material but also to hardness and the method used for hardening. In case you haven't noticed, that core wire is pretty hard material capable of dinging-up the blades of cutters.

Ray

[Riverwolf]

Thanks for posting. I used to watch that show for hours.
What amazes me is when they show an operation performed by hand by a "worker".
Then think of all the string sets in the world.

[cageyOne]

Great videos. Every time I string my guitars, I wonder how those strings are made... Thank you

[BradleyS]

Cool videos, thanks for posting.

[Scootch]

No cats were injured in the production of this video.

[BrunoBlack]

That was interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Kittoon]

That's neat. I wonder how many, if any string makers use the very same raw material (bails of wire) to make their finished strings?

[RayCJ]

Originally Posted by Kittoon

That's neat. I wonder how many, if any string makers use the very same raw material (bails of wire) to make their finished strings?

I think quality control and consistency would be high on their list of priorities!


Ray

[mercy]

Where do the plain strings (1st and 2nd) come from? Ive noticed a difference between some, not all, brands.

[Chris' Guitar]

The engineer, builder in me wants to try to make some hand wound strings. The economist in me say save the money and buy them. Lol.

[RayCJ]

Originally Posted by Chris' Guitar

The engineer, builder in me wants to try to make some hand wound strings. The economist in me say save the money and buy them. Lol.

Yeah, you will not save any money. I think it would also be difficult to find the raw materials and if/when you do find them, don't be surprised if the smallest quantity is around a million linear feet.

If you go on StringsAndBeyond and search for handwound, you'll find plenty of brands.


Ray

[CT77]

Ugh. I cannot imagine doing any of those jobs by hand - even in the machine-wound factory. Makes me feel brain dead just to imagine the monotony... at least it's all in the name of polyphony!

Thank you string manufacturers. You do a job I could never do, and I reap the benefit.