Changing guitar strings -- do you cut or not?

[mmmaak]

I measure each string individually to the correct length (to ensure a sufficient number of turns) and then clip them before stringing up. Makes it much easier and less hazardous when turning the machine heads up to tension.

[ocarolan]

mmmaak - just don't try that with Newtones......
Keith

[mmmaak]

Originally Posted by ocarolan

mmmaak - just don't try that with Newtones......
Keith

hahaa....yup, I'm aware of their round-core nature
Unfortunately, it didn't really make a difference because either I got a bad pack, or my Webber just hates Newtones. Don't think I'll be going back to them anytime soon.

[Dan Carey]

I loop them back into the string hole and trim. No sharp ends that way. I'm sick and tired of being stuck!
And I never trim before installing.

[rmyAddison]

Tune to pitch, then cut.

Aside from eyes you don't want to scratch nice headstocks...

[MikeB_18]

I cut mine as short as possible. I really don't want to take another string end into my finger, it's not pleasant. I also think it looks a lot better.

[AcousticMark]

Originally Posted by ocarolan

mmmaak - just don't try that with Newtones......
Keith

I use Newtones and I cut them when installing...I know they recommend waiting but it works fine for me.

[jlkitch]

It helps the TV reception, at least until the HD change-over.

[Bill Cory]

It was once the fashion to do them that way. We didn't have to carry around a string cutter. When I was on the road in the late 60's playing a Martin 12-string, I had a setof loops that people marveled at.

Fashions change. Who knows, maybe in 20 years somebody will post a thread titled, "Why doesn't everybody loop their strings?"

[daretobesane]

I'm too scared of poking myself in the eye to not cut them. My teeth are on edge just thinking about it as I type this.

[Mama Tried]

I recently followed the Taylor web site method and found it the easiest change I've ever done. Well, maybe not any easier but man did it come out cleaner, perfect wraps.....I'm going to adopt it...and keep em short.

[TwoMartinMan]

I cut 'em, too. The extra length looks dumb just hanging out there...distracting.

[Stuart]

After doing it many different ways for many years (mostly using the coiled up extra string method, because I always thought it looked cool), for the last year or so, I have been using the method described in the Taylor Tech Sheets - for Changing Steel Stranig Guitars

http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars...echsheets.html

What I think is different about this method is cutting the strings before you start to wind them. I find that this makes the job much easier, since you don't have to deal with an extra 12" of string flopping all over the place.

[riverman]

I clip 'em as well. can't stand having jangly crap at the end of my headstock, plus, it's just going to make your headstock get scratched that much easier.

[wtmed]

I cut most of the time.