Do you cut your strings? Why or why not?

[SteveH]

I also bend and cut, never had any problems.

[Bassassin]

Always cut to length. Measure enough for 3 turns around the post (exact length depends on the size of the post) bend 90 degrees & cut, leaving about 15mm to insert into the post. Never, in 40-odd years of string changing have I experienced unravelling windings.

Never used Newtone & probably won't, if they're fussily made and would necessitate a mess of unused string either wrapped around the post or waving around & jabbing the guitarist in the eye.

[FinnDave]

Another vote for bend and cut, and no problems in over 40 years.

[AngelDeVille]

Bend and cut, 2-3 wraps on the low strings, 3-4 wraps on the high.

[Frank Blank]

I have used bend and cut for decades with no (apparent) problems but since using Newtone Strings with a round core rather than hex I don’t cut these particular strings.

[Stub Mandrel]

Never quite figured this angst about break angles.

Why do we need a greater angle at the nut than we get when we fret strings?

I think those who worry about this should be force to play bass lutes.

[Bassassin]

17 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Never quite figured this angst about break angles.

Why do we need a greater angle at the nut than we get when we fret strings?

I think those who worry about this should be force to play bass lutes.

In my experience, too little break angle can cause open strings to vibrate in the nut - remember a fretted string has pressure holding it down.

On one bass, the A has an audible overtone when played open, which turned out to be the string vibrating on the other side of the nut.

[Paul S]

I had a Fender that had a recalcitrant A string that would pop out of the nut at the slightest provocation.  making sure the winds went down as fr as they could to increase the break angle cured it.

[ambient]

You have to sometimes. You should always put a 90 degree bend in the string before cutting it, that helps prevent it from unravelling. Allow about three turns around the tuner, bend the string then cut about a centimetre past the bend.

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, Bassassin said:

In my experience, too little break angle can cause open strings to vibrate in the nut - remember a fretted string has pressure holding it down.

On one bass, the A has an audible overtone when played open, which turned out to be the string vibrating on the other side of the nut.

 

1 hour ago, Paul S said:

I had a Fender that had a recalcitrant A string that would pop out of the nut at the slightest provocation.  making sure the winds went down as fr as they could to increase the break angle cured it.

So it's a compensation for badly cut nuts 🤩

[FinnDave]

15 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

So it's a compensation for badly cut nuts 🤩

If I had badly cut nuts I'd call an ambulance!

[Dan Dare]

It was always advised not to cut guitar strings (unless you bend them first), but on bass strings, the winding does not normally extend to the very end because if it did, it would be too fat to fit on or into the tuner. So they shouldn't be a problem. I never have trouble cutting mine and I have to with E and sometimes A strings or they won't fit on the tuner post.

[Frank Blank]

20 hours ago, FinnDave said:

If I had badly cut nuts I'd call an ambulance!

I’d soak them in luke warm tea while I waited though.

[FinnDave]

1 minute ago, Frank Blank said:

I’d soak them in luke warm tea while I waited though.

I'll try that next time!

[Frank Blank]

2 minutes ago, FinnDave said:

I'll try that next time!

It’s a new trend, teacupping.

[Reggaebass]

Some good Nuggets of information there 😁

[Paul S]

9 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

I’d soak them in luke warm tea while I waited though.

Yorkshire tea, I hope.

[dmccombe7]

If i use Scottish Blend will it affect the tone ?

[Lozz196]

26 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

If i use Scottish Blend will it affect the tone ?

May not be any good for metal, try Irn Bru?

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, Frank Blank said:

I’d soak them in luke warm tea while I waited though.

Works best with ginger nuts.

[dmccombe7]

Chamomile tea gives a softer more relaxed tone more suited for soft ballads.

[Leonard Smalls]

I've never cut mine...

I stick it in the slot, then gently move it round a couple of times. Holding tightly onto that end, I get the ball and ram that into the other slot. While keeping tension I turn the knob until it's tight.

Never had a problem with them going floppy!