Are used strings useful to anyone?

[madjazzbass]

What do most of you do with your old/used (some barely) Bass strings? For some reason I feel (sorta) bad throwing them out, but they're just taking up space, and I know I'm never gonna use them again so ... BTW, After many years of trying different strings, I've come to the conclusion that Dunlop nickels and Fender nickel mediums are (for me) the best strings across-the-board ... in that order.

 

[trothwell]

A thread from a few days ago:

used strings

 

[GTHintz]

If you want to donate them The Strings For Hope charity is a good option. They accept used strings and they make jewelry out of it and use the money for helping abused Women. String joy will accept strings to donate to them too. Also DiAdarrio takes in strings for recycling the material.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

My Music Go Round would buy them off me to sell. Some people really like dead but not gross strings. I mean...I only got ten dollars for two or three sets, but it is better than being in a landfill...as most things are.

Sometimes used basses come in with atrocious strings, so they would use them to restring them. Even if you just give them to a small business music shop, it might win you some goodwill and a deal or add on down the road.

 

[jhammer]

I often give m'y old strings to beginers who got default weai string on used on cheap instruments.
For the flats, it help some to make àn opinion if they like.

 

[rufus.K]

I've dug into my old strings for singles often.

 

[Jefus]

For my 8-strings I keep them around as its hard to replace some of those gauges agent they break (but i haven't broken add many since replacing the tuners and nut, so, yay), but I always figure I took them off for a reason.

I like giving them to beginners or recycling. I think I'll start doing that.

 

[Hypocrite]

I cut the ball-ends off and put them on bracelets/necklaces.

 

[N4860]

I generally keep mine and in most cases I have ended up using them. Many of my current sets have previously been on other basses so it's kind of like musical chairs with strings right now.

 

[Element Zero]

I keep ‘em for a year in ziploc bags after boiling them clean. After that if I haven’t put them back on I toss em in the recycling bin.

Although, I haven’t changed strings for a few months now. TI Jazz Flats on one Elixir Nickels on another. Normally I’m a fresh string lover, but I’m pretty happy right now.

 

[comatosedragon]

Before I switched from combustion to vaporizing, they made good glass scrapers/cleaners.

 

[Mastermold]

I plant them in my garden to grow new ones ...

 

[J Wilson]

I keep trying to sell my old ones to the motorcycle garage for clutch and brake cables, but since I don't use stainless strings, it's a no go.

He is impressed, though, at the anti-corrosion effectiveness of fried chicken grease.

 

[Lenny JG]

I've dug into my old strings for singles often.

Ive always saved them thinking this would be the outcome, but I always end up w/ an abundance of strings that I ultimately just throw out. Lol

Before I switched from combustion to vaporizing, they made good glass scrapers/cleaners.

I used them to provide air channels in any tight roll. Scrapers they do work good for as well!

 

[el murdoque]

When I install new strings, I usually keep the set that comes off. Unless that bass has been in my possession for long enough that I've changed strings multiple times - in that case I compare the set to the one that is already in the box and keep the one that's in better shape.
If a single string breaks and I need a solution on the quick, I prefer to install a broken in string to a fresh one.
I'd rather have one sounding a bit dull compared to the rest than have a zingy fresh one.

 

[jj.833]

I once carefuly destroyed an used E to find out how the string is done. It is quite interesting, especially if you read a bit about the strings manufacturing history.
The Birth of the Roundwound Bass String

 

[Zooberwerx]

Susan makes decorative wreathes out of used strings. I use them as plumbing snakes. The Kentucky Headhunters used them to wire-up the exhaust / muffler after a late-nite gig.

Riis

 

[brianrost]

Depending on how much your strings cost, you might want to keep them as spares.

The strings I use on my upright cost over $150 a set. If I used gut strings, those are over $500 a set. So when I put on a new set, I keep the old ones in my gig bag as spares.

 

[tb-player]

If they’re still in decent shape, i’ve kept them and listed them in the TB classifieds. I was surprised at how many would buy the set. I also had a lot of success listing them as single strings… especially if it was a pricier set, like TI flats.

 

[theduke1]

When I change strings the set that comes off becomes the backup strings in case one would break and then the previous backup set are then discarded. I also keep a new set of strings on hand as well. So 3 of my basses use LaBella 760N B strings and 2 use SS Flat wounds, so in the drawer I have 3 new sets and 5 used sets. Overkill I know, but that just me lol
Duke