Doing Things Wrong

Alice Bass Strings

Today I got my set of Alice bass strings, 105-85-65-45. They were packed in individual sealed plastic sleeves, similar to every other kind of string. The diameters are all within 0.001" of spec. The lengths are as follows:

  • E: 37-1/2" ball to leader, 42-1/2" overall
  • A: 37-1/8" ball to leader, 44-1/2" overall
  • D: 46" overall
  • G: 48" overall

This should fit almost all instruments. The strings are bright and shiny. So far, so good.

The strings went on with no problems, and seem ok unplugged - no buzzing or dead ones.

To be continued ...


There have been gigantic strides in adhesives in the last 50 years. Modern wood glues in particular are far superior to the animal-based glues of old times. When I see 'luthiers' insisting that you must use Hide Glue, I have to laugh. Tone Glue? Seriously? Here are the most useful adhesives if you are building a guitar: