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Being creative with old strings.
- Thread starter JaminDyer
- Start date
Cool.
I have a bunch of old strings. Haven't actually done anything with them as of yet, but I was thinking using them for hanging the pipes in windchimes.
Also maybe figure out a way to soak them in varnish/polyurethane or something if it would make them hold their curves/shape when it dries. If that works, I could try a couple of simple sculptures/artworks, or have somebody better than me twist/wrap/shape them into, I don't know, animals or other decorative objects, loops to hang your dishrag from, or other sort of household ornaments, then soak that thing, let it dry, and hopefully "freeze" that way/hold its shape.
These things have to have some cool alternative uses. I can't throw them away. They're like little cables. Can do way more sturdy stuff than guitar strings.
I have a bunch of old strings. Haven't actually done anything with them as of yet, but I was thinking using them for hanging the pipes in windchimes.
Also maybe figure out a way to soak them in varnish/polyurethane or something if it would make them hold their curves/shape when it dries. If that works, I could try a couple of simple sculptures/artworks, or have somebody better than me twist/wrap/shape them into, I don't know, animals or other decorative objects, loops to hang your dishrag from, or other sort of household ornaments, then soak that thing, let it dry, and hopefully "freeze" that way/hold its shape.
These things have to have some cool alternative uses. I can't throw them away. They're like little cables. Can do way more sturdy stuff than guitar strings.
That would be cool, definitely something to mess about with.
I've got my 1 year anniversary coming up, and she loves her hand crafted jewellery so I may dig out my soldering kit and have a little mess around with some ideas.
Some cool ideas here. I can't stand to throw away old strings and have a couple six string sets floating around that I've been waiting for a reason to justify keeping them. Heck, if someone comes up with a cool enough plan, I'll send em' to ya.
That would make a nice, personal touch.
And yeah, using solder or other ways of mechanical fastening (other than tying them in knots), you could make all kinds of things out of bass string. Include a few low B's, high C's and guitar strings and you've got a myriad of different, yet similar, material there.
I haven't done much soldering, apart from the odd pot, so I'll work something out soon! I would start now, but I don't have my kit here at uni. Also not sure that I could use it in my room with the smoke detector :s
Something like Invalid Link Removed might work well with the jewellery/smaller projects.
Indeed it could. Heavier/thicker solder is used all the time in artisan, decorative stained glass as a mechanical fastener rather than the electrical I think of. Lead content is a problem against the skin though, so, Rohs solder or other types of mechanical fastener should be used instead. Something like you linked that could grip both ends of string, yet still be relatively small with a smooth exterior would be a good thing to try.
Also, some people, not many but some, may develop a bit of rash/allergy type reaction to nickel constantly against the skin. Something to think about for your loved one. If you use stainless steel strings, no problem. If nickel, you may've inadvertantly stumbled into a real valid reason for boiling your strings. 
Also, some people, not many but some, may develop a bit of rash/allergy type reaction to nickel constantly against the skin. Something to think about for your loved one. If you use stainless steel strings, no problem. If nickel, you may've inadvertantly stumbled into a real valid reason for boiling your strings.
Ernie Ball's stainless steels are my weapon of choice! I'd clean them up anyway though, wouldn't want to be giving her jewellery covered in my sweaty gunk :s
If she's any kind of keeper she'll be all into your sweaty gunk.
Perhaps not jewellery covered in my sweaty gunk, but my sweaty junk covered in jewellery? That's a different story
FWIW, I played Ernie Ball stainless for years....and completely wore out 2 good basses to the point they weren't playable anymore. Stainless strings ground the stainless frets down to nothing. Tone tastes changed as I grew older, started playing nickels, no more fret wear. Nickels is softer than steel, so the frets stay in good shape and strings get changed anyway.
Nickel roundwounds can get you a nice bright tone, but yes, nothing does that bright, cutting sound, or gives smooth clean piano tone like stainless.
Point is, when the strings and the frets are both made of equal strength metal, they grind against each other. When the strings are a softer metal than the frets, the frets last, and the strings get replaced.
Of course, basses can be refretted too, but it's nowhere near as easy to do yourself and get right, and no luther is going to do it for the price of a pack of strings.
Just so ya know.
Nickel roundwounds can get you a nice bright tone, but yes, nothing does that bright, cutting sound, or gives smooth clean piano tone like stainless.
Point is, when the strings and the frets are both made of equal strength metal, they grind against each other. When the strings are a softer metal than the frets, the frets last, and the strings get replaced.
Of course, basses can be refretted too, but it's nowhere near as easy to do yourself and get right, and no luther is going to do it for the price of a pack of strings.
Just so ya know.
That's good to know, thanks. I'll try out some nickels next time I need to change them over
If you're younger, you may not've worn one out yet, but take a good magnifying glass and look closely at your frets. Might notice them starting to wear down under the strings in the areas of the neck you player the most. Generally lower notes/lower positions on the neck if you're an ensemble player, or could be anywhere if you're a slapper.
The sound is king though. Don't give that up just to make your frets last forever instead of 10 years.
I got a Ibanez here with big meaty active humbuckers in I'm putting EB stainless on, because they sound the best on that one.
Just something to check if things start not playing right. It does take a few years of heavy use to wear them out to the point it gets expensive.
I'm hoping to have upgraded within a few years of gigging. Not that there's anything wrong with my bass (sterling SUB) but I'd love to eventually get a Sadowsky
Might get some nickels anyway just to test out the sound. If I don't like them, I'll just have another set of strings to be imaginative with.
