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How to prevent strings from unraveling

I recently bought a Fender P-bass jr. and my long scale strings that I bought won't really fit. When i first got it the e string was unraveled and sounded distorted. My question is, is there a way i can prevent these strings from unraveling when I put them on. I know it would probably be better to buy short scale strings, but i already opened up the bag and i dont want the strings to go bad when one of my other basses needs strings.
 
How far up the string are you cutting? Are you cutting where the string is really thick? or where it starts to taper off?

Cutting where the E is already fully wound is going to end badly.

The best option may be a single long scale E to replace the one damaged and a short scale set.

I wish I had some better news... :-/