removing winding

[Scott Helms]

Hi Jonathan -

I assume you're talking about universal strings? I don't use them often
because they sound nasty, but when I do, I cut the string (winding and
all) to the length I'll need for the becket, coil, etc (usually 3 fat
fingers beyond the tuning pin). Then at the place where I want the winding
to end below the tuning pin, I put my wire cutters on the winding and turn
them in the direction of the winding without squeezing very hard - I just
want to break the copper without scoring the core wire. Then I pull the
winding loose a little at the tuning pin end, grab the copper with a pair
of pliers, hold the string with my left hand and pull the pliers with my
right, straight out away from the hitch pin end. The winding will pull
right off the core down to where you've pre-cut it to length. On the
smaller diameter wires, the copper tends to break easily when you pull it,
but who cares - you're throwing that part away anyway!
-- 
Scott A. Helms, RPT
Helms Music Enterprises
(269) 381-4521
www.helmsmusic.net

jonathan stuchell said:
> Is there a quick way to remove the winding from the ends of bass strings?
> I've been using pliers to unravel it and it takes a long time.
>