Why do folks cut strings?

[jbhaugh]

The only bass I've ever owned where I didn't need to cut the strings to get a good number of wraps (usually 3.5 or so) was an Epiphone T-bird and that was only because the headstock was about a mile long. I didn't cut the D or G and I think there were only about 2 wraps on the G post.

 

[DaveParker39]

This whole used strings thing is a bit jarring as a guy who changes strings every 3 gigs if not more

 

[MrLenny1]

I cut the strings back on all my 34 ln scale basses because the extra is too many turns.

 

[Spectrum]

Wait, people "resell strings"? That sounds like selling chewed bubblegum to me.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Wait, people "resell" ..... chewed bubblegum...

There's a section in the TB Classifieds for that, too.

Edit: clarity

 

[truand85]

I agree it's not the way I would like it either... but the OP does. It's not a crime.

By the way, cutting the ends of the strings will do nothing to align the silks: the distance between the bridge and the nut will not change.

You're right, I wasn't thinking there.

 

[Christcr]

To save time installing and removing strings. To save "stretching time" on a new set of strings. Doesn't look like crap. Those are my three main reasons. And a fourth would be that too many windings sometimes bind at the bottom of the post against the bushing and cause the keys to turn harder.

 

[Jefenator]

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.

The E string on the Moolon isn't quite cutting it for me. (Sorry, had to go for the pun.)
Clearly it's nothing you can't live with.
My thinking is, a quick snip would save me time with the string winder AND give me finer tuning action and a straighter path over the nut.
But I get it if the whole no-cut thing seems like it's working. (One less tool.)
You might have to at least start thinking about cutting if you ever want to use those Sun Beams on a bass with mini-tuners. (If you can avoid those, more power to you; I had to surrender many years ago. I will say they work great - once you get used to the look.)
Peace.
That P-bass headstock looks super, super cool BTW.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

2-3 wraps on the post is ideal. Especially need to cut the B string if the tuner is near the nut.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

We trade strings around all the time. Otherwise we’d never be able to try new strings out. On average strings around $200’ish a set.

What strings are you paying $200 a set for? My 5 string set of Sadowsky Blue Label flats was $130 about a year and a half ago. That was $5 more than a comparable set of TI flats.

 

[lermgalieu]

Does not compute. I need to cut most strings on most of my basses so I don't have like 8-10 wraps around the peg. You only want/need 3-5 wraps.

 

[anightintunisia]

What strings are you paying $200 a set for? My 5 string set of Sadowsky Blue Label flats was $130 about a year and a half ago. That was $5 more than a comparable set of TI flats.

Double bass strings... Spirocore, Gamut Gut strings, Evah Pirazzi, etc.

 

[lermgalieu]

Double bass strings... Spirocore, Gamut Gut strings, Evah Pirazzi, etc.

If your post is about DB strings, you are in the wrong forum.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

26510976[/URL], member: 186390"]Double bass strings... Spirocore, Gamut Gut strings, Evah Pirazzi, etc.

Obviously DB strings are a whole other subject that has nothing to do with cutting bass guitar strings. Why bring it up?

 

[halcyo]

This thread is ridiculous. Who in the world is wrapping 10-12” of extra string around a tuning peg?!?!

Even crazier, who is selling/buying USED strings?!

I’m so confused.

 

[Tony In Philly]

Is there any truth to the oft stated notion that one should make a 90 degree bend in the string just before the actual cut point? I have read that this can prevent an unintentional loosening of the wraps around the inner wire. That’s been my practice lately. I keep just enough string after the bend to go into the hole on the tuner from the post’s lowest point. Before I switched to this method I had noticed that individual strings would suddenly go dead from time to time.

 

[Afc70]

Too many windings will cause string slippage.. I always cut my strings to proper length, insert , a few winds & it’s all good.

 

[CryingBass]

I see the word weight on tb posts 50 times a day and nobody mentioned it here? Even as a joke?

weight?

 

[Watchootognbout]

If your post is about DB strings, you are in the wrong forum.

 

[halcyo]

Too many windings will cause string slippage.. I always cut my strings to proper length, insert , a few winds & it’s all good.

Absolutely. Ya need like 3-4 wraps around the post and thats it.

I see the word weight on tb posts 50 times a day and nobody mentioned it here? Even as a joke?

weight?

Good point! No sense in having more metal on a bass than is necessary.