How would I cut bass strings without wire clippers?

[tweeddeluxe]

Remove a shoestring from a pair of shoes, tie the shoe string around the bass string where you want to make the cut. Wind the bass string into a nice little coil. Stuff bass string coil in a pocket of your Cargo Shorts. Walk or have a friend or relative take you to the nearest hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, Dollar Store (wire cutters are $1 there), WalMart, KMart, Gander Mountain, Dick's, etc etc. Find a pair of wire cutters, pliers with cutting tool, Leatherman, bolt cutters, tin snips, pruning shears, etc etc. Remove aforementioned bass string from cargo shorts and cut it where the shoestring is attached using the tool you just found. Put the tool back. Put the bass string back in your pocket. Walk out of the store.

[Commodore 64]

I would think that you can make a crease in it by bending it against something with a 90 degree angle, like a counter top. Then you could wiggle it back and forth until the metal fatigues and snaps off.

[Drunkinminer]

Maybe I'm missing it but I'd like to know what you use for your guitar strings. Just go to the dollar store and be done.

That or just use two sharp rocks. See who says TDPRIer's can't be creative.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by Commodore 64

I would think that you can make a crease in it by bending it against something with a 90 degree angle, like a counter top. Then you could wiggle it back and forth until the metal fatigues and snaps off.

There's a risk of the windings coming apart if you do that. Then he would have to buy another set of strings and he'd still need a wire cutter.

[w3stie]

Originally Posted by tweeddeluxe

Remove a shoestring from a pair of shoes, tie the shoe string around the bass string where you want to make the cut. Wind the bass string into a nice little coil. Stuff bass string coil in a pocket of your Cargo Shorts. Walk or have a friend or relative take you to the nearest hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, Dollar Store (wire cutters are $1 there), WalMart, KMart, Gander Mountain, Dick's, etc etc. Find a pair of wire cutters, pliers with cutting tool, Leatherman, bolt cutters, tin snips, pruning shears, etc etc. Remove aforementioned bass string from cargo shorts and cut it where the shoestring is attached using the tool you just found. Put the tool back. Put the bass string back in your pocket. Walk out of the store.

And if you don't have shoestrings, tie your shoes with the G & D string. You can use the E string as a make-shift belt for your trousers, but you'll have to hitch your pants up by hand when you're at the hardware store.

[acalan]

Wow this is getting far to much attention

[jefrs]

Originally Posted by Commodore 64

I would think that you can make a crease in it by bending it against something with a 90 degree angle, like a counter top. Then you could wiggle it back and forth until the metal fatigues and snaps off.

Yeah you can - dead easy with a pair of pliers (what have cutters on them)

[Magnawolf]

Originally Posted by acalan

Wow this is getting far to much attention

[Gibson]

[R. Stratenstein]

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.

I assume you'll be playing with other stringed instrumentalists. Ask to borrow their clippers.

It does seem odd, though, that you can afford a new set of bass strings but not cheap clippers. Your age is a good one to begin acquiring basic tools that everyone needs no matter where they live. Imagine, your virtuoso bass work might land you a stunning girlfriend who has a big picture of you framed for her bedroom wall. Wouldn't you like to be able to hammer in the nail to hang it on and trim the hanging wire on the frame? of course you would! Now head to Harbor freight and get yourself a hammer and those clippers. Forego next Saturday's beer and invest in your future!

[Lowbassnotes]

Where did you buy the new strings? Maybe you could put them on the bass and take it back to the shop where you got them, ask them if they'd kindly snip off the ends for you?

[JohnS]

How come no one has suggested sharks with lasers on their heads? Throw me a frikin' bone, please!

[dsutton24]

What is it with college kids these days? All " I don't have any wire cutters" and sh**. Have our kids, the leaders of tomorrow, gotten so damned clueless and lazy that they can't go out a steal a pair of wire cutters like the rest of us had to? The soggy bottom pants, the devil tattoos, and the hog rings through the eyebrows aren't going to prove to anyone that you're a tough guy if you're afraid of a little misdemenor shoplifting charge. Get in your mom's Audi, go to True Value, and do what you need to do.

[Sandia Man]

I've found plenty of out-of-work samurai who will come over and cut my bass strings
I rotate the job among them so none of them get uppity about what they are worth to me

[TeleAnon]

I'm here with the correct answer. Thank you all for waiting....

Buy a Leatherman (or similar) multi-tool. If it costs less than $30, it's probably junk. Spend the money for a REAL Leatherman.

I understand that money needs to go far, that's why I'm recommending this. Only rich people should buy cheap tools. Poor people should get the best possible, so you only make the purchase once.

As a college student and musician, you will always have a use for this tool. Screwdrivers, scissors, pliers, a GOOD file... all in one. Compact.

To give you an idea of the value, I have had mine for 20+ years. I've bought others since the original one, and now my original Leatherman has a permanent home in my guitar maintenance kit.

With it, you can handle EVERYTHING for guitar maintenance, except soldering, and allen-wrench stuff.

And, since your life involves more than guitars, it will serve you well for many other chores. Trust me, once you have one, you won't know how you got on without it.

Do what you can, scrape the money together, get a Leatherman.

EDITED TO ADD: I just went to the website. They have A LOT to choose from, and the one I have is retired.

If you have a choice, pick one with a good long file, with good squared edges. The file on mine can do a respectable job of edging and crowning frets.

THAT'S RIGHT.. I said it. I'm at a point where I can afford any tool in the Stew-mac catalog, and I'll use a 20+ year-old Leatherman to do fretwork. We're talking about a file that has been used on cars, in military service (on B-52's AND nuclear weapons) and it is still in good enough shape to do the fine work needed for frets.

DON'T BUY CHEAP TOOLS. You're only 19. You'll thank me when you're 40.

Looking at the website... if I were buying a new one, I'd get the "Blast". Don't pick one with stubby screwdriver bits. the longer the screwdriver, the more use you'll get. Stubby bits will make some jobs impossible, when the handle gets in your way.

[gibsonjunkie]

Originally Posted by JohnS

Do you own a chainsaw? I personally prefer a GI JOE with Kung FU Grip to pull it apart where you want.

Chain saw might be overkill, but a Sawzall would be great!

[zatoichi]

Originally Posted by JohnS

How come no one has suggested sharks with lasers on their heads? Throw me a frikin' bone, please!

'cause they're MUCH more expensive than wire-cutters, DUH!!!

[donh]

Originally Posted by Magnawolf;3954103[B

How would I cut bass strings without wire clippers?[/B]

Gas Axe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Johnston]

Originally Posted by donh

Gas Axe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If in doubt burn it out.

Our old saying in work Much quicker than using a spanner.

for the bass strings could always try

[voodoostation]

Duh! Just remove the old strings and boil 'em for an hour. Dry and restring. No cutting necessary and you can return the new strings. Almost like making money now!