What do you do with your old strings?

[ubnomnar]

What do you do with your old strings?

I use them as garottes

...but don't tell anyone

 

[thumpslap]

String woopin my kids, and wife, and pets!

 

[Lee H]

used guitar strings are very useful. I use them in the shop for cleaning carburetor jets. bass strings occasionally get used for hanging something, but mostly they keep the bag from floating out of the garbage can

 

[Marton]

I use them.

 

[Petethebassman]

I've used an old E string to clear a clogged kitchen drain.

 

[dtripoli]

I went through a period of trying different brands, gauge and type so I had about 8 sets of moderately used bass strings in a bag.
I put an ad on Craigslist. $5 for all.
Couldn't see throwing out strings that barely had some use.
It was either that or hunt down some homeless bass player to give them to.

 

[Demonjrx]

I went through a period of trying different brands, gauge and type so I had about 8 sets of moderately used bass strings in a bag.
I put an ad on Craigslist. $5 for all.
Couldn't see throwing out strings that barely had some use.
It was either that or hunt down some homeless bass player to give them to.

I'll buy 'em. I could use some more strings.

 

[4Mal]

I donate mine to a fledgling jewelry artist. I go through a ton of guitar strings so most are light guage. He lights up on the bass strings though... Patron of the arts... That's me

 

[shrimpflea]

I rarely change strings, I use flats...but the last two sets I decided I didn't like anymore I sold on craig's list.

 

[MarcMurder]

i used to keep em for one of those emergencies where i couldn't get a new set soon enough but other than that i just trash em.

 

[JimmyM]

I make them into lovely jewelry to give to my wife on birthdays and Christmas.

 

[Ewo]

When dead, soak them for a few days in denatured alcohol. You can do this several times to bring them back to life.

End result - BIG savings in string replacement costs.

Yeah, the alcohol soak works very well for me, too. I made the PVC cleaning tube, and it's convenient for this.

After a couple uses, I just pitch the strings into a box of scrap metal I keep in the carport. When it's full I take it down to a recycling place and get a couple bucks for my trouble.

 

[mcnach]

I strangle kittens with them in the local playground.



edit: and I normally keep a set or two in some pocket of my cases/gigbags... just in case.
edit: just in case I'm at a gig and I see a kitten that needs strangling, I mean.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I throw them in the trash but my wife digs them out, takes them to her art studio, and makes wreath-esque type thingys. I'm not kidding.

My wife is also convinced that a judiciously applied hot glue gun will fix anything including the ills of the world.

Riis

 

[MarTONEbass]

I recycle mine.

 

[Duckwater]

I keep them in a big chest. They all sound and play great, I just like to experiment with as many strings as I can.

 

[t77mackie]

Same here for when I sculpt Sci-Fi miniature figures. I find round wounds usually best for this.

Cool! Do you have any pictures?

Also would like to see pictures of the arts and crafts wreath thingys.

-thanx

 

[Dave W]

I throw them away. I've always said I'll try soaking in alcohol or boiling them, but I never have.

 

[66Atlas]

I used to strangle kittens but now I knit them in to sweaters...kind of scratchy though.

Truth be told I never change my strings, and I fall in the camp of hating the sound of new strings. A few of my basses have strings that are 20+ years old. I save a lot of money too

 

[curbowkid]

I used to strangle kittens but now I knit them in to sweaters...kind of scratchy though.

Truth be told I never change my strings, and I fall in the camp of hating the sound of new strings. A few of my basses have strings that are 20+ years old. I save a lot of money too

Just wait till one breaks