Can I have your old, dead strings?

melarson · #1 06-28-2010, 09:32 PM

I am looking to collect the strings you are going to throw out.

My 13 yo daughter, and aspiring guitarist, is trying to help raise money for our upcoming adoption by making jewelry out of guitar and bass strings. She has been able to gather lots of guitar strings but has not been able to get very many bass strings. She would like to get more bass strings to make some stuff that is not so dainty and girly. When she is done she will sell it at a silent auction.

I'm not really sure the best way to do this so I guess PM me if you have some you can send. Thanks in advance from me and my daughter!

somegeezer · #2 06-28-2010, 09:58 PM

Sounds like a bad way to make a lot of money. Also not sure how you could really make very good jewellery with bass strings. You can't really bend them too much into shape, they would snap or unravel. Guitar strings are much more flexible because of how thin they are. Just make sure you're using the low E and not the high E. You don't want to slice peoples' necks and wrists or whatever.

melarson · #3 06-29-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Sounds like a bad way to make a lot of money. Also not sure how you could really make very good jewellery with bass strings. You can't really bend them too much into shape, they would snap or unravel. Guitar strings are much more flexible because of how thin they are. Just make sure you're using the low E and not the high E. You don't want to slice peoples' necks and wrists or whatever.

So is that a no? The strings on my bass wrap around the tuners in a tighter circle than we will ever make without snapping or unraveling. She has made bracelets out of the set of strings I had laying around the house. The bass strings work excellent, we just need more. She uses a clasp from a craft store to make any necklaces, so no ones head will be popping off. I will post some pics when I find where she stashed her box of stuff.

AltGrendel · #4 06-29-2010, 05:58 AM

I would if I had any to spare.

FunkMetalBass · #5 06-29-2010, 06:01 AM

I'll be pulling off a set of Chromes sometime this week when my new strings come in. I'll gladly send them over to you.

melarson · #6 06-29-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltGrendel

I would if I had any to spare.

Yeah, most last forever and when there done the go in the trash. I just thought this would be my best shot of getting some for her. At least if I get this out maybe people will find this thread and search us out.

P.S. I bet stock strings would work just fine for us all you NBD people

melarson · #7 07-02-2010, 08:48 PM

Bump.

yesitsmeb · #8 07-02-2010, 08:58 PM

I have a few sets dead sets laying around that I would be more than willing to give away as opposed to have them laying in the land fill for who knows how many years.

Muaguana · #9 07-02-2010, 09:07 PM

You'll get my old, dead strings when you can pry them from my cold, dead hands!

Sorry, couldn't resist. Count me in; I'll PM you. I have a light gauge set of rounds I just replaced with flats, so they're not completely dead yet.

jwr · #10 07-02-2010, 09:11 PM

Hey man! I'm new to the forum and I'm about to change strings tomorrow. PM me with your mailing info and I'll send you the old ones.

**Staccato** · #11 07-03-2010, 08:44 AM

Please post a photo of her handiwork!

-John

Jim C · #12 07-03-2010, 09:23 AM

Post your address and I would suspect that there will be plenty of strings headed for what sounds like a good cause.

The Thinker · #13 07-03-2010, 09:26 AM

PM me your mailing address. I am so fricken lazy I believe I probably have a couple of old sets lying around my practice area.

melarson · #14 07-03-2010, 08:58 PM

Here are some pics of her handy work...

She has lots more that are in various stages of doneness. I need to help her finish off the sharp ends. I am finding out that some types of strings solder very easy and some don't.

TheSuzie · #15 07-03-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melarson

I am finding out that some types of strings solder very easy and some don't.

You may need to use a bit of acid flux on the ones that will not solder easily. Be sure to clean it off well afterward. Rosin flux or rosin core solder does not work well on some alloys, especially if they are oxidized.

Peace,
S

melarson · #16 07-04-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

You may need to use a bit of acid flux on the ones that will not solder easily. Be sure to clean it off well afterward. Rosin flux or rosin core solder does not work well on some alloys, especially if they are oxidized.

Peace,
S

Thanks, I'll see if I can find some.

**BLDavis** · #17 07-04-2010, 09:22 AM

PM me your address. I have a few old sets I can spare and a friend runs a music store where I work part time. I'll see if I can grab some before they go in the trash.
I'm always happy to support industrious youngsters.
Later, B.

Pilgrim · #18 07-04-2010, 10:30 AM

I know what's going on here. You've figured out that old strings sound better than new ones, so you're building the inventory of strings - you'll never have to buy them again!

Clever, very clever.

paulygonemad · #19 07-04-2010, 10:37 AM

I have a bag full of old strings you can have, if you pay postage. It is quite a lot really.
PM me.

Magnus Scott · #20 07-04-2010, 10:40 AM

I wouldn't use nickel strings... nickel allergy is very common.