When Changing Strings, Don't Forget

[duuuude]

With all the talk lately about changing & trying different strings, thought I'd mention the Second String Project, just to keep it fresh in your minds. This is an effort set-up to collect used strings and refurbish them for players in third-world countries. Here's the link, give it a look, sounds like a worthwhile endeavor.

http://www.darrylpurpose.com/2ndstrng/2ndstrng.htm

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[ShaneJ]

Nobel idea, but I'd rather PayPal them $5 for a new set than spend $2 and some time trying to mail them.

[duuuude]

I hear ya, that's why I just set the old ones aside until I've collected enough to make it worth the postage.
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[John Flynn]

How the heck to you refurbish strings anyway? I don't think it can be done. Metal is metal. Once it is fatigued and corroded, you can't bring it back. If there really was a way to refurbish strings, I would do it myself and put them back on!

I remember decades ago in my rock guitar days, some guys would take strings off and boil them and put them back on. That sounded bogus then and it sounds bogus now. Besides, back when I was stuggling to make ends meet, I can't imagine that someone sending me used guitar strings would have been very welcome or much of a help. Just MHO.

[ShaneJ]

Another reason I'd just send $5 if inclined to participate. I'm not belittling anyone who sends strings or used eye glasses, etc. to 3rd world countries, BTW. I'd rather give the good stuff if I'm gonna give. Maybe I'm too proud??

[Chris Baird]

Dirty old strings are better than none at all. Boiling helps but not much.

[mandroid]

Perhaps a per town collection site needs to be set up, to econimize on transport costs, collectivize!, just don't invade me for using a C word.
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[tombob]

How the heck to you refurbish strings anyway? I don't think it can be done. Metal is metal. Once it is fatigued and corroded, you can't bring it back. If there really was a way to refurbish strings, I would do it myself and put them back on!

I remember decades ago in my rock guitar days, some guys would take strings off and boil them and put them back on. That sounded bogus then and it sounds bogus now. Besides, back when I was stuggling to make ends meet, I can't imagine that someone sending me used guitar strings would have been very welcome or much of a help. Just MHO.
u cn referbish bass strings, boil them for 5 min, n dry em out. they dont live as long but it can be done, dunno bout mando strings though

[jim simpson]

My son decided to take guitar strings off, clean them, then re-use. The first thing I noticed is the indentations from the frets. This fact alone would make me not think they would be good for re-use plus the fact that the string can be tough to put on as it is shorter from being cut. Yeah, just send $5!

[STLmandoteacher]

I think this really depends on how heavy you use your strings before changing them out. #If they've been played lightly for a week or seen heavy use for 3 months would make a huge difference in the usability of them. #I saw a movie clip on the D'Addario website of Rob McCoury saying he changes his banjo strings about every three days. #I'm sure they would still have a lot of life left in them.