This video illustrates the making of a Videobass string. In order to wind the strings, I built a simple machine from parts lying around - some wood and gear wheels from a used laser toner cartridge - driven by an old sewing machine.
Videobass strings are made of a 1.5mm nylon core, wound with 0.1mm resistance (constantan) wire.
I got the nylon from a local fishing shop and the wire from Distrelec (Article No 513861).
First I roughen the nylon a bit with sanding paper (240), so that the constantan wire doesn’t slip.
I then wind the wire very tightly around the nylon. There has to be not the slightest gap, nor any crossings! It’s much easier to get it tight when you hold the wire quite far away. With a little practice it takes about five minutes to wind the string.
Finally the string is polished with very fine sanding paper (600), to even it out. This makes it more comfortable to touch and improves electrical contact with the fingerboard.
The ends are sealed by melting the nylon with a lighter.
A typical string of 60cm has a resistance of about 2kOhm - compared to the resistance of the wire at 62Ohms per meter that’s about 32m of wire per string !
