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Thread: String windings on Waverly tuners

  1. #1
    Registered User Perry's Avatar
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    Default String windings on Waverly tuners

    Something that always bothered me is the tendency for strings not to snake up on the post of a Waverly. See pic below. Does this bother anybody? If so how do you deal with it? Ideally the string wraps should be next to each other towards the top of the post I would think. Does it even matter?

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    I always thought string should wrap down as that helps with break angle over the nut.

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    Registered User Frankdolin's Avatar
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    You have to pull the windings up toward the hole while tightening, and before tight. That should do it. I gotta use my fingernails. Hope this helps.

  5. #4
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by Frankdolin View Post
    You have to pull the windings up ...
    Yep. My first thought was "fingernails".

    Quote Originally Posted by Nevin View Post
    I always thought string should wrap down as that helps with break angle over the nut.
    The wraps in the photo ARE going down from the initial wrap but would normally slide UP TO the inital wrap. That both looks neat AND leaves no slack for later loosening when the string slides up on its own.

    Some may not be aware: More modern designs have a concave surface, as in ) (, which causes the wraps to snug up pretty much automatically.
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  7. #5
    Likes quaint instruments poul hansen's Avatar
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    You have to guide it when tightening.
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    Registered User mingusb1's Avatar
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    I use my fingernail to get the winds contacting each other. And as already mentioned it's better to have the string coming off the bottom of the post when tuned up for the greatest break angle across the nut.

    Z
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  9. #7
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by Perry View Post
    ...Does this bother anybody?...
    Yes, it bothers me. (Heavily opinionated tirade to follow.)
    The tuners that were used on Loar-signed mandolins had straight string posts rather than the far superior capstan-shaped posts of other tuners. In popular opinion, since it was that way on the Loars then it must be better, so since Waverly tuners are made to resemble the old Loar tuners at first glance, they replicated the straight posts.

    Quote Originally Posted by Perry View Post
    ...If so how do you deal with it?...
    I complain about it realizing that there is nothing else I can do about it.

    Quote Originally Posted by Perry View Post
    ...Does it even matter?...
    In the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter. If the mandolin can be tuned that is the important thing. A few extra string wraps on the post help keep the string from slipping, and even with the windings spaced poorly and randomly on the posts the tuners do their job of tuning the strings.

  10. #8
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    Quote Originally Posted by Perry View Post
    Does this bother anybody?
    Yes, it bothers me. My strings naturally wind themselves tight. If not I'd probably string my mandolin differently. I'd wrap the strings around the post first and them go through the hole as others have mentioned here.
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  11. #9

    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    Make a difference? If there is a bit of slop, sure the decreased lever arm of a low last turn could make tuning a bi easier, especially if there are no bushings and wear in the wood. My antiques, no bushings, actually can get hard to turn if the post is pulled off vertical, so I put in metal shims where needed.
    When I really go over the edge, I might lathe turn the ‘modern’ shape into the old post and even get better ratio that way. Not there yet.

  12. #10

    Default Re: String windings on Waverly tuners

    Your picture is more or less how mine look. As others mentioned, you can nudge the wraps down as you are tightening the wound strings so the wraps don’t overlap and potentially contact the wraps on an adjoining post. The plain strings seem to take care of themselves.

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