How would I cut bass strings without wire clippers?

[TeleTim911]

So, what have you been doing with your guitar strings?

[Warm Gums]

Cutting any type of wire with scissors or too light weight pliers is problematic.
The cut string end can release unexpectedly and caused the " tool" to slip, damaging your instrument, cutting you or even causing eye injury....bass strings are even harder to cut.
Just because you haven't needed tools in the first part of your life dosent mean you will never need them again, having a basic set of tools and knowing how to use them is part of being an adult, it allows you to do basic repairs to your car, dwelling and other posessions in a safe manner. Get the cutters, along with some basic pliers, screwdrivers etc. as needed, along with a inexpensive box to keep it all in,and never lend them..the stuff from Harbor Freight or Wallmart is fine for ocassional use, but even the dollar tree stuff is better than a jury rig.

[Magnawolf]

lol I still can't believe people are getting on my case for this question. I honestly thought there was an alternative way to cutting the ends of bass strings than using wire clippers. I still think there is, there's just not many creative people in this thread.

I already said that I don't play bass enough to justify getting wire clippers just for this one time string change. Bass strings are already expensive enough for someone who rarely picks up the bass, like myself. Sure, I could use the wire clippers in the future but I don't NEED them. Not to mention I'd probably forget about them the next time I needed them.

Sorry that I'm a college student on a tight budget. Every cent counts, and spending money towards my bass isn't my main priority right now considering its not my main instrument. Hence why I asked a pretty reasonable question but ended up getting ridiculous replies.

[scrumley]

I think the reason you haven't gotten more serious/"creative" responses is because there isn't a more viable way to do it. Guitar and bass strings are essentially wires. Wires are cut with wire cutters. They are purpose built. Sure, there are other instruments that will cut through metal, but the chances that you have tinsnips, hedgetrimmers or a hacksaw on hand are slim to none. They're also more costly and more ridiculous. The fact that you've used scissors on your guitar strings up to now is all well and good, but you shouldn't. You can hang a picture by hammering a nail into the wall with a stapler, but you'd be better off with a hammer. There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. Sometimes there's wiggle room for creativity. This is not one of those times. Not when the answer is so blatantly obvious. I certainly understand money being tight, it's been tight most of my life but return some pop cans, mow a lawn or look through the couch cushions. This is worthwhile investment. There really isn't a viable alternative.

[w3stie]

If you're that tight, use the old trick of boiling the strings for 15 mins. It's usually enough to give them back some life. I've used this trick on occasion and it works, but only for a while.

[Hiker]

Small wire cutters, or the sharp edge of a pair of needle nose-like those shown above!

[Warm Gums]

Originally Posted by Magnawolf

Sorry that I'm a college student on a tight budget. Every cent counts, and spending money towards my bass isn't my main priority right now considering its not my main instrument. Hence why I asked a pretty reasonable question but ended up getting ridiculous replies.

You think money is tight now? wait until you get the bill from the MD and /or hospital, after you injur yourself with a jury rig, if you are serious about not taking care of business (I wonder about some one who has a recording session but is trying to cheep out) go to one of the following places on campus

Physical plant
The art department ( where they do wire sculpture etc.)
The scene shop for the theater department
and have someone there do your work for you...that " creative " enough?
BTW don't be surprised if you get a eye roll or smart comment when you make this request, you can only hide behind penury and "artistic temperament " for so long .

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by Magnawolf

lol I still can't believe people are getting on my case for this question. I honestly thought there was an alternative way to cutting the ends of bass strings than using wire clippers. I still think there is, there's just not many creative people in this thread.

I already said that I don't play bass enough to justify getting wire clippers just for this one time string change. Bass strings are already expensive enough for someone who rarely picks up the bass, like myself. Sure, I could use the wire clippers in the future but I don't NEED them. Not to mention I'd probably forget about them the next time I needed them.

Sorry that I'm a college student on a tight budget. Every cent counts, and spending money towards my bass isn't my main priority right now considering its not my main instrument. Hence why I asked a pretty reasonable question but ended up getting ridiculous replies.

Well, I'm certainly not on your case, and I understand you're on a tight budget, but to cut wire as thick as a bass string you need a wire cutter. Slamming people for not being "creative" makes you look foolish.

Bite the bullet and buy a Planet Waves bass string winder with built-in string cutter. Keep it with your music gear and you'll eventually use it again. You should be able to find it locally.

[Ricky D.]

Here's the creative approach: Learn to use and like the sound of dead strings. Worked for Duck Dunn and James Jamerson in the 60's, millions of records sold.

[Fenderfiend]

Originally Posted by Magnawolf

I've been using scissors for 19 years and not once in those 19 years have I needed wire cutters.

Your mom let you play with scissors when you were a baby?
Come on, man!

Originally Posted by Magnawolf

I'm going into a studio and I'm going to be recording with it. ~

I can't leave the excess string on because its vintage style tuners.
I figure I'm just gonna go hunt for wire cutters to borrow.

What?
What do vintage style tuners have to do with anything?

If you're going into any sort of respectable recording studio, they'll have string trimmers there.

[chezdeluxe]

Always remember "If it's raining soup, being equipped with a fork is not going to be much help"

[camatillo]

Ok, I see we need to go survival mode here, If you know where you are going to cut them before they are installed you can use a cold chisel and a hammer with a backing plate of steel plate to cut against. Check out the stone sculpture department in you schools art dept. That should be as creative as anyone can get here for this task. Of course the Harbor Freight wire cutters are easier to use but the visual of using a cold chisel is far more creative.

[GigsbyBoyUK]

Are you on Facebook? Just change your status to 'hey can anyone lend me a set of wire cutters?'.

[fendahbendah57]

Oh, you want creative? Install all of the strings and mark the cut areas with a sharpie or felt pen. Un install strings and take them to the closest set of active railroad track you can find. Lay the strings over the rails and wait for the next train to pass and roll over the strings. Your strings will be cut to the approximate length.

[jefrs]

Things that will cut bass stings -
cable cutters
chain saw
hacksaw
cold chisel
angle grinder
pneumatic road drill
band saw
sheet metal guillotine
125mm long nose combination pliers/cutters from £1 market stall

[jefrs]

Originally Posted by fendahbendah57

Oh, you want creative? Install all of the strings and mark the cut areas with a sharpie or felt pen. Un install strings and take them to the closest set of active railroad track you can find. Lay the strings over the rails and wait for the next train to pass and roll over the strings. Your strings will be cut to the approximate length.

Remember to hold the string taught across the rail with a hand on each end

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by jefrs

Things that will cut bass stings -
cable cutters
chain saw
hacksaw
cold chisel
angle grinder
pneumatic road drill
band saw
sheet metal guillotine
125mm long nose combination pliers/cutters from £1 market stall

oxy/acetly torch
plasma cutter

[Ricky D.]

OK, guys, time to ease up. We've had our fun at the expense of the OP who is not a DIY kind of guy and asked us for help. Enough is enough.

[KenH]

Toenail clippers?

[eddie knuckles]

The guy "Jaws" from that James Bond movie in the 1980's?