You are left with the old set upon replacing your electric guitar strings.
It could be just old or even damaged and rusted.
So, should you go ahead and dispose of the strings, or you can reuse them?
Whereas you can throw the electric guitar strings away, you can reuse them in various ways.
Some use them for different reasons, such as creating objects unrelated to music.
Others use these strings on other guitars, but if you do this, don’t expect them to sound like their new counterparts, and the tone is different.
This article leaves no stone unturned regarding reusing electric guitar strings.
How Do You Remove Guitar Strings for Reuse?
Remove your guitar strings if you want to reuse them without damaging them.
So, carefully remove the guitar string from the musical instrument, or you will damage them.
You should also carefully remove the string’s end pin, where the priers come in handy.
Once the string is out of the guitar, cut around an inch from its end using a wire cutter.
Upon cutting the edges, reattach its endpin before reattaching the string to the guitar.
Why Do Some Guitarists Reuse Electric Guitar Strings?
It is no secret that removing guitar strings for reuse can take a considerable amount of time.
On the other hand, it only costs between $6 and $14 to buy guitar strings.
That’s not much money, especially if you do live performances.
However, that’s not the case for every guitar player, and there are those tough moments when one can’t afford the amount.
Under such circumstances, reusing the strings may be the best thing to do.
Sometimes, you have the money but lack the time to visit a shop and purchase the strings.
For instance, a string can break in the middle of a performance, and having an old reusable one can save the day.
In other cases, the nearby guitar shop is closed, but you need to use a guitar leaving you with the only option being reusing old guitar strings.
How Do You Reuse Guitar Strings?
After removing the old guitar strings, one can reuse them in various ways.
Some of the ways of reusing guitar strings include the following;
Make Jewelry
People usually make earrings with guitar picks and strings.
Several guitar strings, including the ball end, can also make a great bead bracelet.
Other people use guitar strings to make pendants since they are excellent connectors.
Make Crafts
Equally important, you can make crafts using the guitar strings.
Commonly mage crafts include small guitars and murals.
Make Bracelets
An excellent example of a company doing this trick is Wear Your Music.
It receives musical instruments” donations, including guitar strings from various artists, and uses them to make bracelets.
One must admit that bracelets are easier to make than most jewelry pieces.
Some artists who have donated such materials include Brian May, Carlos Santana, and John Mayer.
Make Keychains
It is no secret that keychains ensure you don’t lose your keys.
You can make one using electric guitar strings and a few basic tools.
Walk into any electrical shop and grab a crimp female space connector and pliers.
Insert the strings to the latter’s end before tightening with the former after inserting the keys.
How Long Do Electric Guitar Strings Last?
There is no definite answer to this question since various things determine how long your guitar strings last.
However, people have differing opinions regarding this matter.
Some think one should change the strings daily, while others consider 100 hours of use or 3 months.
On average, your electric guitar strings can last for 2 to 3 months.
You can also boost their longevity by storing your guitar in an ideal place with the right humidity and temperature.
Since the fingers you use to strum the guitar strings have oils, clean every string regularly to eliminate them.
Use a string conditioner for excellent results and easy cleaning of the guitar strings.
Besides caring for the strings, how often you play your guitar determines how long they last.
There is also the quality of these strings hence the need to choose a brand wisely.
Eating less greasy foods before a performance can also make a huge difference.
Nevertheless, sometimes it isn’t the period that has lapsed but the changes in the guitar strings that should tell you whether to get rid of them.
Some indicators are a dirty look, a change in friction, and the tone’s quality.
Do You Have to Replace All Guitar Strings?
This sector is also a contention since various guitarists think differently regarding the best way to replace your guitar strings.
For instance, a team recommends changing one guitar string at a go.
It is a mechanism that aims to prevent the tension the strings exert on the guitar’s neck from fluctuating extremely.
On the other hand, some guitarists advise guitar players to replace all the strings simultaneously.
After all, it is believed that despite the guitar lacking its strings, its neck will still withstand the pressure its absence creates.
So, replace one at a go or all the guitar strings depending on the need at hand and what you are comfortable with since that’s what matters at the end of the day.
Is It Advisable to Reuse Guitar Strings
Of the various ways of reusing guitar strings, the one that’s not encouraged is putting them back on your stringed instrument.
Such strings usually produce low-quality, lifeless, dull sound output.
Equally important, there are high chances of the old strings breaking shortly after putting them on your guitar, which is inconvenient and a waste of time.
So, why go through all this trouble when you can buy new guitar strings at an affordable price?
Besides, gone are the days you had to purchase an entire pack of guitar strings.
Almost every online store sells single strings, thus making it cheap to replace one guitar string if that’s what needs a replacement.
References
https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/everything-you-need-know-about-changing-guitar-strings
