Why do folks cut strings?

[FunkHead]

why did u sell them?

Valid question! The answer is really 2 parts:

Part 1 is that I have a love hate relationship with TI JF-344 Flats. The 1st set I tried were way too floppy for me at the time but I really loved the tone in a live setting. I had them on a Ric 4003 and it really sat extremely well in the mix of a band. They kind of have their own sonic region and you can hear every note clearly without stepping on anyones toes. But the floppiness caused me to sell them even though it was more due to my lack of technique. I tried them a few more times but always ended up selling them after a while for being floppy.

Part 2 is that I have owned about 1100 basses. I have been building, buying & selling basses since the early eighties. When I would sell a bass, I usually put the OEM strings back on and It would 100% original. Then I would sell the TI's separately to recoup a little more of my expense.

I have really enjoyed playing and gigging so many different basses and could never afford to keep them all. That's the main reason I became a flipper! I could play just about every bass under the sun even though I couldn't own them all at the same time.

I have also sold a few sets of other strings that I played lightly for a few hours but just didn't JiBe with them. In fact, I am going to sell some La Bella LTFs from my Rick 4003 that just don't quite do it for me on that bass.

 

[bottomzone]

I've always cut my strings to ensure a clean fit around the tuning keys and it looks better. If someone chooses to not cut their strings, that's cool. Your bass, your choice. Why someone would buy used bass strings is baffling to me! But hey, to each his tone.

 

[Ralf1e]

It's the first time in my life I hear that people SELL USED STRINGS. At first, I thought it was a joke.

I cut the strings so they have 4-5 turns down the pegs.

I wondered the same thing yesterday. I recon his original question was a bit of a wind up ha ha

 

[lilfreebear]

I trim the strings about one and a half peg, so I don't have to wind all day and can start practice after I have pulled/bent all strings and tuned them, by ear of course...

 

[willddd]

I wondered the same thing yesterday. I recon his original question was a bit of a wind up ha ha

People have mentioned TI Flats, I can understand buying them used, cos they're expensive and IMO sound better the older they are.
I changed over from DR low Riders (which also sound great when they're old) to TI flats a while ago, and at the time had about 10 sets of DRs, some had been in use for many years. One guy bought the lot and was very grateful for the opportunity. Some of us value old strings.

I never cut strings. Nothing more annoying than going to put your favorite old strings on a new bass only to find one of them has been cut too short (I only made that mistake once).

 

[trifase]

...you are kidding me!

 

[DaMaestro]

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.

 

[DaMaestro]

People have mentioned TI Flats, I can understand buying them used, cos they're expensive and IMO sound better the older they are.
I changed over from DR low Riders (which also sound great when they're old) to TI flats a while ago, and at the time had about 10 sets of DRs, some had been in use for many years. One guy bought the lot and was very grateful for the opportunity. Some of us value old strings.

I never cut strings. Nothing more annoying than going to put your favorite old strings on a new bass only to find one of them has been cut too short (I only made that mistake once).

Because people tune electric basses differently other than using standard tuning. I personally tune down to A which requires more tension which is the reason I cut strings to match the tuning I prefer on especially 5 and 6 string bass. Without cutting the strings would have little to no tension and would flop around which is what I can’t stand. I didn’t realize there was a decent resale value on used strings. Because of my OCD I could never buy someone else’s used slimy strings… YUK.

 

[dotsdad]

Fender says to cut them. Per their support site:

How you wind the strings onto the pegs is very important. Start by loading them through the bridge and then loading them onto the appropriate keys as follows:


Standard keys. Pre-cut each string for the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the fourth string 3" (76 mm) past its tuning post and cut it (make sure to pull each string taut). Insert through the eyelet in the tuning key, allowing approximately 1/16" (1.6 mm) of the end to extend through the eyelet, then wind neatly in a downward pattern, being carefull to prevent overlapping. Pull the third string 3 1//2" (89 mm) past its tuning post, cut it, and repeat the winding procedure. Pull the second and first strings 3 1/2" (89 mm) past their tuning posts and cut and wind as noted. For five-string basses, cut the fifth string 3" (76 mm) past its tuning post and repeat the same cutting and winding procedure.


Vintage keys. Pre-cut each string for the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the fourth string 4" (102 mm) past its tuning post and cut it (again, make sure to pull each string taut). Insert into the center hole of the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90° angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being careful to prevent overlapping. Pull the third string 4 1/2" (114 mm) past its tuning post, cut it, and repeat the winding procedure. Pull the second and first strings 4 1/2" (114 mm) past their tuning posts and cut and wind as noted. For five-string basses, cut the fifth string 3 1/2" (89 mm) past its tuning post and repeat the same cutting and winding procedure.

 

[isaac42]

They used to play guitar or they don't realize that all strings are manufactured to fit Fender P-basses or J-basses.

What if you don't play a FSO?

 

[Tennesseemick]

I never think about reselling used strings. For instance, I had my TIs taken off to try some “locally hand made” strings. Because I didn’t sell them, I can put them back on.

Yes, the strings were cut, but they still fit my bass.

FWIW: Too much winding around the post is unnecessary and a pain when installing strings.

Please don’t be that guy in Facebook Market Place selling ratty used gear at retail prices

 

[Ralf1e]

People have mentioned TI Flats, I can understand buying them used, cos they're expensive and IMO sound better the older they are.
I changed over from DR low Riders (which also sound great when they're old) to TI flats a while ago, and at the time had about 10 sets of DRs, some had been in use for many years. One guy bought the lot and was very grateful for the opportunity. Some of us value old strings.

I never cut strings. Nothing more annoying than going to put your favorite old strings on a new bass only to find one of them has been cut too short (I only made that mistake once).

I bought some labela flats. Dead as a door nail! Why would anyone want to wear them out let alone pass them on to someone else who is tone deaf. Dead thud rubish. May as well buy and bash a fancy cardboard box.

 

[Geoff Wood]

Fender says to cut them. Per their support site:

How you wind the strings onto the pegs is very important. Start by loading them through the bridge and then loading them onto the appropriate keys as follows:


Standard keys. Pre-cut each string for the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the fourth string 3" (76 mm) past its tuning post and cut it......

But is the 'fourth string' the thickest one, or thinnest one, on a 4-string bass ?

 

[vvvmmm]

But is the 'fourth string' the thickest one, or thinnest one, on a 4-string bass ?

I looked at that twice, also!

But he quotes, "For five-string basses, cut the fifth string 3" (76 mm) past its tuning post and repeat the same cutting and winding procedure." So if the additional string is the "fifth string", the "fourth" must be the lowest on the four stringer.

 

[bigtone23]

This thread piqued my interest, had to look. Now I'm posting...
I can't imagine not cutting strings. I have my way of winding them and I can't stand antennae at the headstock.
Never considered reselling strings, though I sometimes throw a still good, but used set in some cases as a backup. My main players have an identical new set in the case. Sometimes, that used string matches up better than a bright, new one. Gotta consider the tuner arrangement with this approach.

 

[freshpots]

Cutting strings solved the neck dive problem on my p-bass.

 

[bigtone23]

Cutting strings solved the neck dive problem on my p-bass.

Haha. Had to be those heavy stainless or cobalt strings?

 

[badinage]

This thread piqued my interest, had to look. Now I'm posting...
I can't imagine not cutting strings. I have my way of winding them and I can't stand antennae at the headstock.
Never considered reselling strings, though I sometimes throw a still good, but used set in some cases as a backup. My main players have an identical new set in the case. Sometimes, that used string matches up better than a bright, new one. Gotta consider the tuner arrangement with this approach.

Pretty much ditto on all points for me. Especially the last line. How would one re-deploy a used string if the curlies and especially the kink at the machine-head winding post didn’t match the bass the used string came off of? A shorter distance maybe, but what if the distance the re-used string needed to span was a bit longer? I don't think that would be mechanically a good practice.

 

[4StringDave]

Because people tune electric basses differently other than using standard tuning. I personally tune down to A which requires more tension which is the reason I cut strings to match the tuning I prefer on especially 5 and 6 string bass. Without cutting the strings would have little to no tension and would flop around which is what I can’t stand. I didn’t realize there was a decent resale value on used strings. Because of my OCD I could never buy someone else’s used slimy strings… YUK.

How does cutting the strings make any difference to string tension?

 

[bigtone23]

Pretty much ditto on all points for me. Especially the last line. How would one re-deploy a used string if the curlies and especially the kink at the machine-head winding post didn’t match the bass the used string came off of? A shorter distance maybe, but what if the distance the re-used string needed to span was a bit longer? I don't think that would be mechanically a good practice.

Indeed. When the span is longer, I tend to run into issues with 2nd hand stringing.
Most of my basses are pretty similar in terms of tuner arrangement, scale length, etc... However, how the ball end of the string anchors on the various bridges does influence this key point.