Why do folks cut strings?

[H. Bob]

2-3 wraps and down the hole is all you need for basses. Cut the rest.

On my guitars, banjos, and mandolins with upright tuning posts (like most electric basses), I make a 90-degree bend outward 1.5" past the post and then cut about 1/2" from the bend. I start wrapping from the bend. Once it's tuned, I cut the end further. I learned this trick from the Ovation manual and it works like a charm.

 

[nik max]

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.

selling used bass strings is a 'thing'?

 

[Ericgh]

I didn't know reselling strings was a thing... Really?

For me, it's neater on the headstock. I will cut mine down to where I can wind it maybe twice. I've never had a new problems doing this.

 

[gwreid]

I don't understand why you have a "hard time" understanding why some people cut strings. You already know why, to make them shorter! On the other hand, although I know the answer is, "cost", I have a hard time understanding why people buy/sell used strings. After 50+ years of playing, it has never occurred to me to sell or buy used strings. Until reading replies here, I didn't even know it's a thing.

 

[greenbean]

I didn't know reselling strings was a thing... Really?
...

For upright bass, definitely! BG, not so much. Perhaps never.

 

[candiehappy]

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?

Wait, reselling dead strings is a thing? I have been playing since 1987 and never heard of a "used string" market.
What am I missing?

 

[FunkHead]

I have been thinking this the whole thread. Why go through all the trouble of adding Hipshot Ultra Lites or Gotoh Res-O-Lites and then add back 1/2 LB of weight to the headstock Via Uncut strings with 15 wraps?
I have sold at least 6 sets of used flat wound strings on Talkbass. Rounds don’t really have a big market unless they’re TI Jazz rounds or similar high dollar strings.

 

[jazzyvee]

i always cut the strings so i don’t have sharp ends to cut my fingers or poke anyone’s eyes on stage. Something i carried over from my guitarist life. I don’t buy used bass strings and my old ones have been either repurposed in the garden for plants like wisteria to snake their way round, or go on to the bass i use for reggae once their brightness tapers off to a nice warm mellow tone.

 

[DavidJamesNHBass]

Why? Clearer tone, no loss of resonation, aesthetics. Sort of in that order too.

I pull the string from bridge to peg, then add the span length of about 2.5 pegs to that.
Crimp no less than about 110 degrees but not 180 (if a clockface and the string is up from your '6' the crimp should be to about '8'). This secures the core to the wrapped exterior. If you don't do that the core will slip within the string when wrapped = dead strings.
More than three times around the peg is has no benefit but much risk. Shorter is better.
Something as simple as a minor temp or humidity change affects the neck AND the entire amount of string on the bass. It's metal. Metals react to heat and humidity. 'Crimp and cut' minimizes the risk.

Reselling your strings? I don't understand. If they are shot (which should be a rare event) then why would one want to stick another musician with them? I guess I don't get it. But if it's your thing...

Do you want your strings to last...like, for at least a year (and years if TI JF344s)?
A thin rag and denatured alcohol. All alcohol, no water (rubbing alcohol is usually 30% water).
After each practice, rehearsal, show immerse (or spray) denatured onto a corner of the rag. Take the corner, lightly squeeze until it is very damp (not dripping) then wrap the corner around each string at the bridge and run up to the nut. Your strings will love you for it. Your fingers will too because now the strings are better than new, they are super slippery (because they are clean).
You will get some denatured on the fingerboard. It happens. It evaporates quickly so no worries. Have your go-to oil at the ready in case you need to re-lube.
DO NOT get the denatured on any clear coast or direct paint finish. It'll dull or cloud them a bit.

 

[bumperbass]

You'll poke your eye out, kid!

 

[Patchman777]

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.

Great analogy - lemming+esque. I never hear it used anymore.
I'm in my sixties and have always cut my strings. It's force of habit and I've always assumedl it's the best way to go. Whatever works best for the player, his ax, choice of strings, there are a few variables involved. It's true though, some TB members get on their "high horse" about bass issues and position themselves as the final authority coming across as insufferable sticks in the mud. You'll find that in any forum. People hold firm to their beliefs and some find it very challenging to consider new ideas that might prove them wrong. Be that as it may, TB really is a great forum filled with players that are ready, willing and able to help out when possible.
Try bringing up whether to crimp a string or not when changing to new strings.There's a can of worms in waiting.

 

[Jeff Rininger]

I find if I cut my strings right about where the neck meets the body my bass playing improves greatly.

 

[Riccardo C]

Who in hell sells or buys used strings

 

[MikeTranch]

Pretty simple reason, the tuning pegs have hole down the center. Cut string as needed, stuff the string in there. Looks and works great! Why would anyone want the strings hanging out? I also play guitars and trim those too. Strings hanging out are hazardous, can injure yourself and damage headstock, and look amateur.

 

[evlwevl]

Wait….you guys change your strings?

 

[Matthew Morter]

I did not take the time to read this whole thread. But this is the weirdest post I’ve seen. I literally cut EVERY string, otherwise it would be too long, I get three wraps around the peg and that’s perfect. But the poster saying he never cuts them isn’t the weird part. RESALE VALUE OF STRINGS????? I have never heard of reselling bass strings. First off they don’t sound nearly as good after they have been played on for a month or so. And who is putting new strings on their bass, then taking them off in less than a month to resell them? That just sounds bizarre to me. I usually change them when I break a G or D string when I am playing often, and you can’t resell a broken set. Or I change them if I am not playing very often and they are a few months old and don’t sound crisp and poppy anymore. Either way, they wouldn’t be good to resell. My mind has been blown learning that that is a thing.

 

[Don Sanders]

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.

Who buys used strings?

 

[Rich Fiscus]

There is definitely a market for some used strings. Sometimes people buy an expensive set of strings, like TI flats, and decide fairly quickly they don’t like them. It shouldn’t be hard at all to sell them and recoup some of your money.

They pop up in the classifieds here on TB from time to time.

 

[Ronnie W]

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.

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.

I NOW CUT STRINGS because BASS TECH explained that if you have excess wraps on post, possible to slip and cause intonation problems --- that had not actually happened to me, but now that I watched how he did it, I do cut, and I do the same way as BASS TECH.

*Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky strings

 

[Ralf1e]

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

Edit:I never resell or buy used strings.

Nice tidy not waiting to take some inocents

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.

I cut strings because it is a matter of health and safety especially on 6 string guitars. When they stick in your favourite finger you will know about it. When they stick in your eye you will know how negligent you are being with your excuse for laziness and greed. If a couple of bucks for selling worn out strings is going to help you you are in trouble. God bless you with some new ones to cut.