Why do folks cut strings?

[Turnaround]

In what way will excess loose strings past the tuner, affect compliance, tension, or anything on the string between the tuner, nut, and bridge. If is simply surplus flacid length, flopping around.

String Tension and Compliance

 

[Geoff Wood]

This relates to differences in length of string bewteen the tuner-to-nut, and bridge-saddle to bridge-end.

Nothing at all to do with trimmed or untrimmed flacid excess string hanging out 'north' or the tuner. Apart from possibly some peoples' misconceptions and over-vivid imaginations.

 

[5StringBlues]

In what way will excess loose strings past the tuner, affect compliance, tension, or anything on the string between the tuner, nut, and bridge. If is simply surplus flacid length, flopping around.

 

[isaac42]

We’re men-of-science…and we’re bored.

Riis

Science!

 

[Marc valero]

I use the short end of standard letter envelope as guide and cut my strings about an inch longer.

 

[31HZ]

So it looks good when I'm done.

 

[jradbass]

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.

Daddairo has players circle. They will give you points used to purchase their gear based on the weight of strings you mail them for recycling. They pay shipping too. Doesn’t have to bye just strings. They have other useful gear as well available.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Daddairo has players circle. They will give you points used to purchase their gear based on the weight of strings you mail them for recycling. They pay shipping too. Doesn’t have to bye just strings. They have other useful gear as well available.

I believe this service is only available in one country. It's certainly not available in my part of the world.

 

[Bluwaterbob]

I'm old school and boil strings two to three times in the life of a set of strings.
I cut strings to wrap the string posts 2 1/2 time when tuned to pitch. It makes string changes fast and less of a hassle.

Sweet, good to know I'm not the only one who still "cooks" their strings.

 

[The Ancient One]

I cut my strings if necessary for appearance sake. In 47 years I have never bought or sold strings. But then I never heard of " cooking them" either!

1 box of various vintage La Bella gently driven bass strings $1,000,000 free shipping.

 

[vvvmmm]

In 47 years I have never bought or sold strings.

Pretty good mileage ...

 

[James Collins]

This relates to differences in length of string bewteen the tuner-to-nut, and bridge-saddle to bridge-end.

Nothing at all to do with trimmed or untrimmed flacid excess string hanging out 'north' or the tuner. Apart from possibly some peoples' misconceptions and over-vivid imaginations.

The video he @Turnaround was quoting had to deal with extra string between the saddle and string ball end. I think there is just a bit of miscommunication because you were referring to excess string past the tuner like the original post. I am fairly certain turnaround would agree with this point, but he was actually talking about something else.

 

[Geoff Wood]

The video he @Turnaround was quoting had to deal with extra string between the saddle and string ball end. I think there is just a bit of miscommunication because you were referring to excess string past the tuner like the original post. I am fairly certain turnaround would agree with this point, but he was actually talking about something else.

Even if he was referring to something other than the topic of this thread, how can you have 'extra string' between the saddle and the ball-end ? Generally (ie universally) that is a fixed geometry/length, apart from the saddle adjustment with only differences being between string-thru and hard-tail bridges. So no possibility for trimming anything off there.

 

[James Collins]

Even if he was referring to something other than the topic of this thread, how can you have 'extra string' between the saddle and the ball-end ? Generally (ie universally) that is a fixed geometry/length, apart from the saddle adjustment with only differences being between string-thru and hard-tail bridges. So no possibility for trimming anything off there.

The person in the video constructed a micro scale bass that used long scale strings. There was about a foot of string between the saddle and the ball end. He wasn't referring to adjusting this amount like you do with a saddle adjustment. He was referring to building a guitar with with that extra string baked in. And in fairness to him, he was replying about a video someone else posted in the thread.

 

[Geoff Wood]

[QUOTE="JaAnd in fairness to him, he was replying about a video someone else posted in the thread.[/QUOTE]

I must have missed something somewhere - and still can't find it when searching ...

 

[moon-bass]

And what band are you in that you get to play in front of 15,000 people?! That’s awesome. And a waaaay larger show than I’ve ever had!

15,000 people is a large touring band. The last time Tool played New Orleans, attendance was around 15,000 (the Smoothie King Center only hold 17,700). Based on the OP pics it looks like maybe it was at Merle fest, outdoor festival.

 

[Turnaround]

The video he @Turnaround was quoting had to deal with extra string between the saddle and string ball end. I think there is just a bit of miscommunication because you were referring to excess string past the tuner like the original post. I am fairly certain turnaround would agree with this point, but he was actually talking about something else.

I misread "past the tuner" as meaning "between the tuner and the nut". I agree that excess loose string doesn't affect intonation or tension.

 

[moon-bass]

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.

Wait, did you mean Lemmy-esque or Lemming-esque?

 

[JRA]

Wait, did you mean Lemmy-esque or Lemming-esque?
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/lemmy-02-jpg.4723116/ https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/12141-jpg.4723118/

"lemming-esque" --- as in "like a lemming."

"like a lemmy" is totally different!

 

[isaac42]

"lemming-esque" --- as in "like a lemming."

"like a lemmy" is totally different!

And "like a lemma" more different still!