How Do You Deal With "String Tangle"?

[LHawes]

You know, the phenomenon where when you remove the strings for whatever reason, adjust saddle etc. the strings find their way into this amazing 'tangle' where trying to separate the strings seems to take forever.

[Rudy4]

Remove them one at a time (leaving each string in a separate room!).

[LHawes]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Remove them one at a time (leaving each string in a separate room!).

Love it. Might have to add room to my home but seems totally worth it

[rick-slo]

you can use a capo as part of the process

[Russ C]

I find losing my temper and pulling as hard as I can helps.

[Mirosh]

I loosen them, capo at fret 1, then remove them at the bridge, setting each one aside on the side where they will not droop down over the edge of my workbench.

Only with a pinless bridge is it necessary to remove them at the tuning machines - more hassle and more propensity to breaking up there when reinstalled.

[Joe Beamish]

Once I take off a set of strings, they stay off. They are going away forever. They are free to tangle all they want.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by LHawes

You know, the phenomenon where when you remove the strings for whatever reason, adjust saddle etc. the strings find their way into this amazing 'tangle' where trying to separate the strings seems to take forever.

They are clearly closely related to Christmas lights.

[printer2]

Masking tape them to the body or neck.

[phavriluk]

I do what Printer2 mentioned. Good use for masking tape.

[Bowie]

Masking tape, two pieces to hold the ends in a row.

[Fathand]

I leave them attached to the tuners when possible and use a spring clamp on the ball ends to keep them together. I find masking tape can leave sticky residue in the windings.

[RogerHaggstrom]

I make two loose coil "knots" with 3 strings in each and keep the coils hanging on opposite sides of the guitar. Three strings don't tangle as bad as six...

[John Arnold]

I put velcro strips under and over the strings near the bridge. Alternately, I put a capo on the third fret.