[JessThrasher]

By cut your strings, I mean by after you put new strings on and tune them, do you cut the dangling end off?

I personally prefer to leave my strings dangling untill recently my instructor cut my strings for me. I just love the look and sound the dangling strings make. (because I didn't listen when he told me to cut them)

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by 6string

I cut for saftey reasons but its not right that your teacher cut your strings without your permission.

I'd say he owes you an new set of strings

Yes 6string is right better to cut them for safety and tidiness but it's your choice, your teacher had no right to cut them without your permission, he was well out of order.

[JessThrasher]

Originally Posted by WitchyWoman

Cut mine. I have very long hair, when I'm restringing before I've trimmed them I always seem to get the long bits stuck in my hair...not a good look!

Me + all the other metal players out there never had a problem with that. I don't really see how dangly strings can detune. Is it cuz they swing around and cause the string to start unwinding?

[WI_Newbie]

Clean

Tidy

Cut

But that's just me.

[coldethyl]

Yep, I trim mine too. Don't like having anything that might poke someone in the eye.

[Tekker]

I cut mine also.

I tried the circle thing a couple times, didn't really care for it and it was a pain in the neck getting all of the circles to look right.

I also don't like the look of uncut strings... Not to mention those pointy things are dangerous, you could puncture a lung.

-tkr

[eXperiment63]

I cut mine. To me, the dangly strings are just flat out ugly looking.

[Andy S]

I sort of agree with a few of the others. If he just reached out & snipped them without asking, he was out of line.

However, if your lesson is in the typical small room with just the two of you, it could get a bit dangerous in there!. He still needs to ask.

Personally, I've been trimming mine for years. Some of the stages we played on while I was a working musician would have made it very dangerous for the other players in the band. Plus, I think it looks rather tacky. I've never seen anyone on stage with the strings just hanging out completely untrimmed.

Maybe an inch or so but never the excess of the complete remainder. Plus, I would think that most of the major performers out on tour nowadays have spare guitars in the wings being worked on by guitar techs that are with the crew on a full time basis.

Imagine somebody like Herman Li, or Santana, or Zack Wylde busting a string, handing the guitar to his tech and getting jabbed in the hand or worse , in the eye, while he's exchanging the guitars.

Don't see THAT happening. Keep 'em trimmed!

Just my opinion and observations.

[karcey]

I'm super conservative, so my strings are not only cut but also neatly wound around the tuners. Maybe doesn't sound any better but lets anyone know I care about the instruments.
Maybe the guitarists who can't decide could refer back to the manufacturers. If Gibson or Fender or anyone else sells their products with uncut strings, then you could follow suit. Can't remember seeing any though ...

[JessThrasher]

Its very common among death metal and black metal guitarists. To have uncut strings. Uncut strings to them (and me) are like that dark, edgy, barbed wire like look.

[karcey]

It would seem then that the reason you don't cut your strings is to create an image, to set yourself apart from the old folk like me who play nursery rhymes for their grandkids. I think you should continue with your image of uncut strings and whatever else you feel gives you the distance from the conservatives. I seem to recall the Beatles used a similar trick with abnormal hairstyles to set themselves apart from the rest. Damned good marketing exercise it was too!
Don't get too upset with you teacher who cut your strings ... he didn't take away your image - just modified a tool which will be upgraded with new strings soon anyway. Keep them tidy in his lessons so he can concentrate on his purpose. When you are on stage, let them hang free. You are discovering the essence of the modern entertainment industry, and no-one here is going to cramp your style. When you are rich and famous, and I'm still playing nursery rhymes for my grandkids, I'm going to be able to say that I once shared a forum with you.
Take care and follow your dreams.

[JessThrasher]

A death metal guitarist isin't nothing without his (her in my case) uncut strings.

Its not just about death metal. Its also about being different like you said.

have fun with nursery rhymes though. While I"m listening to the metal version of them (Korn - Shoots and Ladders)

[JessThrasher]

And plus, I don't get how so many of them do it (the dangly ends thing) without them swinging around and unwinding the string? After someone telling me that, I decided to twist them up so they don't swing around and detune.


Hey, its not just metal players. Kenny Rogers had uncut strings. (or atleast my instructor told me he once did)

[eXperiment63]

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

Its not just about death metal. Its also about being different like you said.

Just one question... How is being like everyone you idolize being different? To me it sounds like you're following suit of those you respect, that is far from being different. It's falling into line like almost everyone else on this planet does.

When people TRY to be different, they end up being the same. There is no reason for someone to be 'different', just be yourself. If you happen to be different, that's fine. Do what you like, as long it isn't disrespectful of others.

People get far too caught up in image. Oh I like this, so I HAVE to do this. No, you don't have to do diddly. All you HAVE to do is be yourself.

[Cedric01]

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

Traditional metal looks huh?


I heard that dangly strings can detune. Is it true?

No. Not true.

[JessThrasher]

Originally Posted by Cedric01

No. Not true.

No? Don't they swing around and eventually unwind?