Steinberger double ball strings??!

Dec 30, 2018
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Hello all. I have a five string Steinberger Synapse fretless. It's my #1...it will go in the ground with me when I leave this Earth.

I have an issue every time I need to replace the strings, which is that I've only been able to find one available set of double ball flat wound strings for five string bass (LaBella makes a flat wound double ball five string set), but that set is ridiculously expensive ($70). While the Steinberger Synapse does allow for the use of regular strings by feeding the top end of the string through the top of the bass, the B string is too thick to be able to feed through the hole effectively.

What I'd love to find is somewhere I can buy a bunch of single strings, i.e., a bunch of flat wound, double ball, B strings. That way I could just use a regular flat wound set and just use a double ball string for my B. Anyone have any suggested solutions?
 
While the Steinberger Synapse does allow for the use of regular strings by feeding the top end of the string through the top of the bass, the B string is too thick to be able to feed through the hole effectively.
This is weird because it should be designed to. Is it just string silking that prevents it? Maybe use a thinner B? Flatwound Bs are stiff so a thinner gauge can work well, like .110-.120.
 
Maybe I’ll try a thinner gauge next time I replace the strings, but honestly I prefer a heavier gauge for my flatwounds. That does lead me sort of to the same place, ie looking for an individual B string with a lighter gauge.

Thanks for the thoughts. I agree that it’s troubling that Steinberger made an instrument that doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to!