Why do folks cut strings?

[anightintunisia]

I’m having a hard time understanding why people cut strings. I’ve literally never had a case where a string has had so much extra it wasn’t able to sit on the peg after wrapping it around. Strings for me usually wrap around 3-5 times then continue down to the nut. Never had any problem what so ever with slippage, tuning, etc. Why cut them, then when you go to re-sell your strings they’re a specific length for your specific bass. Why is this a thing, what am I missing?

I could maybe understand if it was a 2+2 at the headstock and the G and maybe D silk was over kill. But I see people selling standard strings saying “cut for a precision”…. That is where I am lost.

 

[GTHintz]

It depends on how thick your tuning posts are but some will actually have wraps start to overlap each other because of the extra length. I've had it happen to me so I know that it's just best to save the hassle winding it so much and just trim them.

 

[el murdoque]

It's easier, faster, looks tidier and all you ruin is the resale value.
So instead of getting $3.50 for your accumulated finger gunk on a set of nickel spaghetti you'll only see $ .75
I can live with that.

 

[Stevorebob]

Installation is quicker cutting the excess. I’ve no interest in reselling strings.

 

[Geri O]

I’ll admit, I’ve never….ever….considered resale value as a part of string purchases.

There’s nothing to resell when I’ve gone through a set of strings.

 

[JRA]

i don't cut strings... i would if i thought i should in a specific instance, but it's not a "rule." like @anightintunisia, i've never had issues. on the rare occasion that i might remove a set and re-string on a different ax: i have almost all the advantages of a fresh set by not cutting them.

i'm thinking that if you don't cut strings and you have "slippage" you're probably not winding them correctly. i also think the "slippage" thing is more of a fear than a reality since i never have the problem myself. of course, i could be wildly lucky.

there are lots of TB herd behaviors posted as "best practices" that i consider grand BS, and cutting strings is one of them. i don't think it makes any difference except in the minds of those who peddle the practice as "must do" and then 'shame'/mock those who don't follow suit...both behaviors are lemming-esque. IMO. YMMV. FWIW.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Because if you don't,you have this!

.....and many of us don't want this!

I cut my strings to about 2 1/2 inches past the post so I will have about three winds around the post.
Maybe a bit more on the D,G, and C.(Sixers)

Edit:I never resell or buy used strings.

 

[Goatrope]

I didn’t know string resale was a thing. When I see tuning post with a fat tangle of string on it, I wonder why. Now I understand.

Hero’s don’t always wear capes.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Why cut strings? Because I have better things to do with my time than crank away at tuners.

 

[Matthew_84]

I always cut them about 5 inches past the post, just for a tidy wind.

I was scared of doing this with TI Flats though, because those are the only strings I would have tried to sell if I didn’t like them (but thankfully that didn’t happen).

also, a lot of strings are made to sit on a Fender, and if you have a 2x2 headstock, the D and G strings can be exceptionally long.

 

[InhumanResource]

Because if you don't,you have this!
View attachment 4711510
.....and many of us don't want this!

I cut my strings to about 2 1/2 inches past the post so I will have about three winds around the post.
Maybe a bit more on the D,G, and C.(Sixers)
View attachment 4711511

I don’t cut my strings and also have nice, neat wraps. Also, who the heck is buying used strings?

 

[21DaHoagie12]

Selling used strings? lol

 

[Watchootognbout]

I don’t cut my strings and also have nice, neat wraps. Also, who the heck is buying used strings?

So the string you buy are at a perfect length for your bass?

 

[michael_t]

I’m having a hard time understanding why people cut strings. I’ve literally never had a case where a string has had so much extra it wasn’t able to sit on the peg after wrapping it around. Strings for me usually wrap around 3-5 times then continue down to the nut. Never had any problem what so ever with slippage, tuning, etc. Why cut them, then when you go to re-sell your strings they’re a specific length for your specific bass. Why is this a thing, what am I missing?

What specific brand/type of strings do you use?

On a typical Fender style bass, the measurement from where the ball end is seated at the bridge, when top-loaded, to the E tuner post is around 37". Most new strings are 48" - 50" in total length. If you don't cut the E string down to size, you have more than 10" to wrap around the post. That would be way more than 5 tidy wraps.

 

[InhumanResource]

So the string you buy are at a perfect length for your bass?

I’ve gone through different sets at different times and couldn’t tell you how long they are. I just carefully wrap them around the post so there isn’t any extra material sticking out.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Is re-selling of electric bass strings really a thing? I must have a fortune in the recycling bin at the workshop, LOL! Personally I treat it as a biohazard.

I like things to look tidy so I cut my strings to the "correct" length but it really isn't necassary with many basses. Just make sure the additional length of string doesn't double up on itself so it starts climbing back up the tuning post. That could give you insuficcient pressure over the nut, particularly on a Fender A-string.

I wonder what kind of strings you use to avoid a MESS on a Fender E-string though...???

Having the optimal length of string around the tuning posts matters a lot more on guitars where too many wraps can cause poor tuning stability. Especially on tremolo equipped guitars without locking nuts.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I’ve gone through different sets at different times and couldn’t tell you how long they are. I just carefully wrap them around the post so there isn’t any extra material sticking out.

........imagining 7....8.....9... wounds around the peg.........

 

[yodedude2]

"why do folks cut strings?"

i don't know why 'folks' do it, but i do it to make the strings fit the bass properly. however, if the string fits the bass properly without cutting, i don't cut it.

 

[InhumanResource]

........imagining 7....8.....9... wounds around the peg.........

Could happen, sure!

 

[michael_t]

Most new strings are 48" - 50" in total length. If you don't cut the E string down to size, you have more than 10" to wrap around the post. That would be way more than 5 tidy wraps.

I happen to have brand new sets of strings by GHS, D'Addario and DR in my personal stash right now, so I just measured the actual length of the uncut E strings.

D'A = 49"
GHS = 49"
DR = 51"

You go ahead and try to install any of them without cutting it down to size and see how many wraps you end up with.