Do you just throw out your old strings?

[factorplayer]

That's what I've always does but it kinda kills me to just toss them out - surely there's some way to recyle them or something?

[erock0138]

Nope, If they're still intact I boil them in water and makes them able to be used as spares, makes them newer.

[erock0138]

Or I have boiled and just put them straight back on, have had really good results.

[tehmetcalfe]

I've wondered this too, but I've never heard of anything to do. If they're flatwounds you could sell them, there is a lot of guys that love old flatwounds. Other than that I dunno. The boiling to keep them as spares is a great idea, very handy if your on a gig and break a string. No breaking in period!

[MNAirHead]

I give them to kids or send them overseas to churches

[PBnJBassist]

I usually do. When I change strings, I cut the top end of the string right before it curls so it's easier for me to pull through the bridge; thus, too short of a string to use, and "no way" to knotting. Though, I have recently grown fond of old, worn-down 'n' dead strings since I switched to flats.

As for recycling them... you could just give them to a band mate/friend with a bass to reuse. I did that once when I changed out my last set of rounds for flats. I didn't cut them that time since he wanted them.

Think you can also soak them in alcohol or something and save them for a rainy day.

[TomB]

In 45 years of playing I've tossed a hell of a lot of used bass strings. I've never found boiling or soaking to be satisfactory. I do keep multiple sets in my gig bags as spares in case of breakage, but still dispose of a lot. I do wish someone could think of a constructive use for them. Thanks for asking the question periodically

[darkstorm]

Of course. Theyre no longer muscially useful and have no other purpose or use. Throwing them out makes sense after removing for replacement to me.

[JimiLL]

Nope I lash my GF with them when she gets outta line

[SMILEYSIXX]

Originally Posted by JimiLL

Nope I lash my GF with them when she gets outta line

Funny, my GF likes to be the one doing the lashing

[lavmonga]

I save a bunch and then mail them to Sound Art LA . Org. They teach kids to play and rely on donations. They're very grateful, even for old strings.

[LilloEsquilo]

I just toss them and replace as needed.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by TomB

I do wish someone could think of a constructive use for them.

Put them in your recycling bin.

Find a bass buddy who like dead rounds or super old flats.

[BigOldHarry]

yup. Seems like a waste... but what do you do.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I keep mine in the hopes that they have a usefulness at some point.

[Achtane]

I keep them. Maybe one day I'll make something using them.

[calshands]

I've used them to hang mirrors and pictures. They make a really cool sound as the weight is put on them.

[steamthief]

I change my strings when they lose the ability to consistently hold tuning, so into the recycle bin they go.

[Bassman822]

Nowdays I save old roundwounds as spares or give them to struggling bass players. Never changed any of my flatwounds (been using a set on my L2K for 10 years0

[rojo412]

I put them here...



Some of them are from when I began playing 16 years ago.