Converting ball end to loop end

[Tom F]

I have all these spare non-wound guitar strings with ball ends; but alas, have no spare non-wound mando strings with loop ends. Hmmm.

Is there anyway to remove the ball within the loop and not damage the loop?

Also, are there differences aomong brands in tone or volume, for non-wound treb strings?

[Jerry Haynes]

Take small needle nose and gently pop them out. Done it a bunch of times. Only broke a few strings. Try and not put a bend in the string, thats where it will break

[Jim Broyles]

This way has worked for me every time: grab the ball by the round, not flat, edges without touching any part of the string with a pair of regular pliers and crush it to break it out of the loop.

[Paul Hostetter]

I think Frank Ford's technique of nibbling the ball with the string nippers is way better. Have a look here (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Strings/Loops/loops.html) and scroll down to see what I'm talking about.

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Strings/Loops/LoopsViews/loops04.jpg http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Strings/Loops/LoopsViews/loops05.jpg http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Strings/Loops/LoopsViews/loops06.jpg

[don richards]

1.)Take a pair of PLIERS - 2.)C-R-U-S-H the "thingie" that's into the loop - 3.) hook the L-O-O-P end of the string over the hook "thingie" on the tailpiece - TURN the tuning peg/key in the tightening direction - string will/should get shorter - (i.e. closer to the fingerboard - 3.)keep turning/tightening the string 'till it's up to pitch (by using tuner ) - now the method of "locking" the string on the peghead so's it don't slip is noted in other posts.. 4.) when all is done.., clip off the excess string(s) lengths with pliers or wire cutters - orrrr... ya' could just leave 'em - to poke another player in the eye or other anatomical parts. PHEW!!! - this is really gett'n lengthly!! - just take it(mandolin) to your local luthier - no hassles - just pay to have it done - then..., pickaway!!! alas..Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Fretbear]

The main thing is to preserve the loop completely undamaged or it will snap. I have had good luck using the top wire cutter jaws of a universal electrical wire stripper. They usually have a blade that lands on a flat anvil piece, as opposed to two blades, and you can set the ball and make sure the loop is still rotating freely before you cut. The blade should start cutting the ball next to (beside) the twist which you can pull away from the cutter slightly. It works very well.