Why do folks cut strings?

[MultiScaleMale]

I have long been installing mine exactly the way this guy installs the E string at the end of this video. Especially important with round cores.



As for used strings -- why not? The "biohazard" argument is refuted by one alcohol wipe. Except for the homemade bass in my avatar, my basses currently sport "used" strings.

Many times, new strings are changed for reasons other than being worn out. If you want to try and compare a number of different string brands or gauges, it's much less expensive than buying new.

And if you did buy new to compare, or just to use while still nearly new, why not sell the lightly used ones? I have done this, and hopefully it worked out well for the buyer, not just for me.

Admittedly, I would NOT resell strings that I bought used and then played. And I think used flats are far better to re-use than rounds.

I don't like how he wraps initially instead of winding. That will usually put a twist in the string that can give some weird overtones.

 

[Jay2U]

With some Ibanez basses you'll have a hard time to wrap it all around the thin pegs. Cutting makes your life easier.

 

[skycruiser]

Has anyone said "Because they are too long" yet?

 

[DwaynieAD]

I 100 percent dont believe youre only wrapping 3 to 4 times without cutting unless your playing 37 Inch scale basses

 

[marchone]

Intonation is nut to bridge. Tuner wraps don’t come into play.

I suppose. It's still hella sloppy. Even changes the string angle.

 

[tbz]

Shockingly enough the OP has vanished.

 

[BassFalcon]

Shockingly enough the OP has vanished.

It’s almost like he put on his trollerskates and slipped away.

 

[anightintunisia]

Here are a couple of pics you posted in another thread. Are you telling us you didn't have to cut these strings down to size?

I’ve never cut bass strings in my life. Then again, I mainly only use flats.

 

[Silky Johnson]

Selling used strings? lol

Strings and underwear are two things I would never buy used lol

 

[anightintunisia]

Shockingly enough the OP has vanished.

Shockingly I went to bed. Sorry I left TB for 10 hours.

 

[anightintunisia]

It’s almost like he put on his trollerskates and slipped away.

Not really man.

I should clarify though that I mainly use flats and most of my frustration with people cutting strings is with flats.

 

[Wambemando]

On Fenders, I measure the space of 3 tuners and cut so that every post has equal windings.

 

[kevmac]

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.

I have played for a long time and the idea of selling used strings never entered my thoughts.Do people really do this?

 

[RudyTardy]

I don't like how he wraps initially instead of winding. That will usually put a twist in the string that can give some weird overtones.

I am with you on this, Rich. I can't stand the twisted string tone! I actually cover my pickups with card stock when winding now to make sure the ball end stays free until fully tightened. Works a treat.

 

[anightintunisia]

Flats always wrap 3 times around. Why would anyone cut them?

The Sun Beams do wrap around a little extra, especially the E, but it takes me 10 extra seconds of my life to wrap them. Would never think to cut them.

 

[logdrum]

I think OP is also or maybe even primarily a DB player, DB guys usually don't cut strings and we reselll them/ Some strings will unravel or disintegrate if cut or cut wrongly. They cost from 150 to 800 a set -- not a typo 800 US dollars The most popular strings are Thomastiks Spirocores and they are 225 to 250 last time a checked which was probably 2021. Also many folks want old dead Thomastik Spirocores and sometimes those sell for more

 

[anightintunisia]

I also swap strings on certain basses frequently depending on gigs or sessions. Some basses the flats stay on until eternity. Would never consider cutting strings.

 

[truand85]

View attachment 4711737 View attachment 4711739

Flats always wrap 3 times around. Why would anyone cut them?

The Sun Beams do wrap around a little extra, especially the E, but it takes me 10 extra seconds of my life to wrap them. Would never think to cut them.

That moolon E string looks terrible. Just cut your strings. That P bass you definitely cut the strings or they were cut prior to you owning. Silks are lined up, you can't do that without cutting.

 

[LBS-bass]

Mainly because it's tedious winding them for many more turns than is needed

On some basses and with some strings, the excess string wouldn't all fit on the tuning peg. I'd also rather not find that out the hard way.

 

[anightintunisia]

That moolon E string looks terrible. Just cut your strings. That P bass you definitely cut the strings or they were cut prior to you owning. Silks are lined up, you can't do that without cutting.

Those La Bella silks came fresh out of a new package when I got that P bass and took that photo right after stringing it. Absolutely how it was from the factory.

As far as my Moollon, you may think it looks terrible, but the 15 thousand people I played for on that stage later that evening didn’t seem to mind. And neither do I.