Help! My old strings are stuck!

[billiam5billion]

I'm re-stringing and cleaning up a neglected bass and the old strings are stuck tight in the holes under the bridge.

Any pointers on removing em without mucking up the guitar?

It's a Squier Vintage Modified p-bass

[stanknuckle]

detune and cut them out. Pull the ends out with a pair of pliers

[billiam5billion]

Pliers wouldn't fit down in there, I had to drip some wd40 down in there and tap them out from the other side. Thanks though.