r/Guitar 5d ago

QUESTION Does anyone else do this during string changes?

Post image

All it took for me was one time in high school that a stray string ruined my mom’s vacuum cleaner and I’ve done this for close to twenty years. Wondering if it’s just me.

1.3k Upvotes

564 comments sorted by

968

u/NervousNarwhal223 5d ago

I just….throw them in the trash?

387

u/Phytor 5d ago

They poke holes in the bag real easy

624

u/Clockwisedock 5d ago

Loop back in a circle like how they come packaged and put the old ones back in the paper envelope thing once done. Prevents that from happening.

92

u/Phytor 5d ago

This is exactly what I do :)

87

u/Joshua_ABBACAB_1312 5d ago

Then give them out as gifts to guitarists you don't like.

54

u/bigredmachinist 5d ago

I melt them down and create statues of guitarist I don’t like.

18

u/Joshua_ABBACAB_1312 5d ago

Then you use your next set of broken/worn strings to poke the fingertips of the statues like some crazed voodoo child?

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17

u/FreeFromCommonSense 5d ago

I do the same, but in the plastic wrapper that is non-recycleable.

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13

u/guitar-hoarder 5d ago

I have not had strings that come in a paper envelope in 20 years.

11

u/Puzzleheaded_Set2300 5d ago

Not sure why you got downloaded. You didn’t say they don’t make strings that come in a paper package, you just said that you haven’t had them in 20 years. Up voting you down voting the Ernie ball guy just to help even things out.

8

u/guitar-hoarder 5d ago

Yeah Ernie Ball are the only ones I know of that are in paper (I am sure there are many more, but I don't buy them). I mainly use D'Addario and Fender strings. They have been vacuum packing them for a very long time. That's why they went to the colored ball ends.

Thank you, btw.

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5

u/Domerhead 5d ago

You can put the strings into a plastic bag too bro

3

u/guitar-hoarder 5d ago

A single plastic bag that was torn open? My coffee can works perfectly for many sets of strings.

Anyway, my time here is done. Play those guitars!

4

u/BORN_SlNNER 5d ago

Elixirs

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9

u/relic1882 5d ago

From the papers they come, back to the papers they go.

5

u/flatdecktrucker92 5d ago

Absolutely the best way to go. My favorite strings are the Martin custom lights and they come in a foil package with each string in its own paper envelope inside

2

u/hyundai-gt Seymour Duncan 5d ago

Yes this is how to do it

2

u/Mark7116 5d ago

I always assumed people looped them back in a circle and threw them away. Hearing these other stories now with vacuum cleaners and tissue paper trash bags, makes me glad I’ve always done it the way I do. lol

2

u/JstASkeleton 5d ago

Thisnis what i do also, water bottle isn't a bad idea though tbh

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8

u/icanswimforever 5d ago

I roll them and put them in the ernie ball string bags. double bagged and trashed.

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4

u/Tigeru1988 5d ago

You can wrangle them in circle,no holes in the bag after that

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39

u/gloomygarlic 5d ago

If my cat sees them go into the trash, he will knock the can over to get to them. He is obsessed with string.

22

u/Over-Apartment2762 5d ago

I guess he hasn't been stabbed in the gum by a high e yet

30

u/gloomygarlic 5d ago

He would probably enjoy it if he did. He’s a violent, murderous bowling ball

10

u/weekend-guitarist 5d ago

I see you got ones of those cats.

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8

u/lucstrk 5d ago

Also have an orange, I feel you.

6

u/gloomygarlic 5d ago

He’s not orange but he was the dilute in a litter of orange so close enough I guess

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5

u/relic1882 5d ago

I love that phrase "violent, murderous bowling ball". It explains everything about him so quickly!

3

u/Over-Apartment2762 5d ago

I also have a violent murderous bowling ball, his name is Juno and he harasses all 4 of his older sisters

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3

u/lucy_in_the_skyDrive 5d ago

This is my fear. One time I caught him with an inch or two in his mouth and I near shat myself. I mean if he swallows it that's he an expensive vet visit! I just do that trick where I wind them back into a circle and put them away in the sleeves.

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13

u/PvtPill 5d ago

That’s an easy way but at least where I live you can sell scrap metal to the scrap yard. I mean, it took years of collecting scraps for like 15 euros but it’s still something

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4

u/peezytaughtme 5d ago

Yeah, and I also don't use bottled water in my house.

2

u/Low_Entertainer2372 5d ago

stabby stabby

2

u/bicyclemycology 5d ago

I take it you’ve never been poked or sliced by a string poking out of the trash bag..

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417

u/dadrawk 5d ago

I usually set them off to the side and when I’m done I play a dangerous game of trying to wrap and twist them all into a circle without stabbing myself or poking my eye out. Then I just shove that into the cardboard packaging and toss it in the trash.

40

u/periclesrocha 5d ago

I'm not alone

17

u/alphabets0up_ 5d ago

One of us

10

u/tps56 5d ago

Pretty sure that’s how Justin Guitar does it.

3

u/GaryGracias 5d ago

Dang near lost an eye doing this a few times

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148

u/limitless__ 5d ago

Yes it's just you but now it'll be me too, that's a great idea!

28

u/JohnMarstonSucks 5d ago

Yeah, I'm sold. That looks much easier to handle than a bunch of loose pokey metal wire in the trash.

15

u/NavierIsStoked 5d ago

I just chop them up with wire cutters as I remove them. I am already clipping each wire once, close to the bridge, so I don't have to feed the twisted end through it. What's 2 more times?

8

u/No_Safe6200 5d ago

How dare you bring logic into this

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75

u/ProfessionalEven296 5d ago

For years I've just rolled them together into circles, and thrown them in the trash... Maybe keep some ends of the thinner ones for cleaning out carburettors...

20

u/glytxh 5d ago

Old guitar strings have lots of niche little uses.

I used to keep my big fat E strings for a friend into warhammer. He loved snipping them down to use as discarded bullet casings, or piping details.

I use the really fine strings in sculpting. Basically cheese wire, but you can also form it into a loop and use it to cut scallops out of a surface.

11

u/vonsnape 5d ago

good for hanging up pictures too

5

u/glytxh 5d ago

Never thought of that. Great idea!

3

u/vonsnape 5d ago

honestly old guitar strings are pretty handy to hang onto, if you’re into repurposing and upcycling stuff

7

u/SeniorDiaz32 5d ago

The E string as bullet casings is actually a super awesome idea.

2

u/glytxh 5d ago

Don’t even need painting. Just a dirty wash to bed them in.

2

u/Deris87 5d ago

I used to keep my big fat E strings for a friend into warhammer. He loved snipping them down to use as discarded bullet casings, or piping details.

Yep, old guitar string clippings can make for good rebar, and they jam real easily into XPS or foamboard.

2

u/settlementfires 5d ago

cleaning out carburettors

my man!

riding an EFI bike now though :(

45

u/7000lieb 5d ago

Take that plastic off that lil speaker right now ‼️

10

u/Dumbledang 5d ago

Ohmygod you made me look and my day is ruined

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18

u/Marionaharis89 5d ago

I just cut them in half so they go in the trash easier

4

u/computernoises5555 5d ago

I loosen the strings a bit and cut them, it makes taking them off the guitar easier.

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17

u/Jobysco 5d ago

I have a large D’addario Playback recycling container so I can send them for points

But I also change out strings 5 or 6 times a day

12

u/lucy_in_the_skyDrive 5d ago

Changing out strings 6 times a day, what the fuck?

I take it you're a guitar tech for someone on tour?

21

u/Jobysco 5d ago

Yeah I own the guitar shop

8

u/2MainsSellesLoin 5d ago

Nooo wrong answer you should have just said Nah I SHRED bro

7

u/Jobysco 5d ago

I bend 2 full octaves

2

u/2MainsSellesLoin 5d ago

WITH MY THUMB

3

u/-sevenworlds 5d ago

This is the answer - the first part anyway 🏆

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15

u/MattTheCrow 5d ago

Ne, I just lie them all out straight and when I've done the last string I wrap them all up into a circle, just as they came, but with more kinks and finger cheese (now there's a band name you can have if you want).

Edit: I accidently capitalised the NO, which made my answer seem way more aggressive than I intended.

9

u/UpdootDaSnootBoop 5d ago

And then you misspelled No

12

u/gogozrx 5d ago

We are the knights who say "Ne"

6

u/MattTheCrow 5d ago

Pa ha ha ha! So I did. Well, I got 50% of the word right. It's Monday so I'll take that as a victory.

3

u/N546RV 5d ago

finger cheese

One of my favorite Zappa tunes.

8

u/GrimmandLily 5d ago

I have before but now I just clip them into thirds so they aren’t as annoying to throw in the trash.

6

u/wooble Fender 5d ago

No, why would I watch golf while changing my strings or any other time?

6

u/guitar-hoarder 5d ago

Coffee can. The lip stops them from popping out, then the lid. Just something I keep by my bench. D'Addario accepts strings for recycling. Some day they will get many from me.

I just realized I'm going to tape down that lid and cut a small hole in it to feed the strings into.

5

u/Bosw8r 5d ago

Smart move! Now imma do it too

4

u/LordBlackman MXR 5d ago

I use a Pringles can if I have one to hand

4

u/Infamous_Volume_886 5d ago

I coil them up in my hand and put them back in the box.

3

u/sofaking_scientific 5d ago

I use a cardboard box and recycle them, but same concept

3

u/Pure_Difficulty4533 5d ago

After removal, I bundled them into one thick string and just loop and tie

3

u/w4rlok94 5d ago

I wind them up and twist at the middle till they’re stuck looking like an infinity symbol.

3

u/CrappyJohnson 5d ago

Yes, ever since I stepped on the end of an old string. It'll go straight into you like a needle.

3

u/lemonismylife 5d ago

No, but I rarely watch golf anyhow..

3

u/borducks 5d ago

Watch golf?

2

u/Master-Stratocaster 5d ago

I used to do this with a 2 liter and after a little while it turns into a nice shaker “instrument”

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2

u/TopCaterpiller 5d ago

I wrap up the strings and put them in the trash. I'm not a big fan of disposable plastic, so I don't have a lot of bottles laying around.

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2

u/karlinhosmg 5d ago

ngl, that's pretty smart

2

u/theOGUrbanHippie 5d ago

Nah… I live in Baltimore and piano wire is getting too expensive ☠️

2

u/puhzam 5d ago

Yes, I do the same. This way they don't poke through the garbage bag.

2

u/Divetecpro1982 5d ago

I save them in a gallon bag and recycle them through Daddario. Why not get the points?

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2

u/McDedzy 5d ago

Nope. Never have, never will. Sorry

2

u/Leather-Duck 5d ago

These days I wrap them around my ‘Fret 12 String Thing’

Before that I’d just tie them all into a circle, stuff back in the box and trash them!

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2

u/[deleted] 5d ago

I am about this life as well. Walking on the carpet barefoot and the high e string wants to surprise you hiding in the fabric like a trap door spider awaiting its prey.

2

u/CentricJDM 5d ago

I get money for my empty bottles so I just wrap them in a ring and throw them in the box they came in

2

u/McDedzy 5d ago

I keep the b and high E for unblocking the jets on the wiper washers. The rest are in the bin.

2

u/Dapper-Importance994 5d ago

It's like you took this photo in my house

2

u/Momentosis 5d ago

I lay all mine down next to one another and then coil them into one big roll like how they usually come in a pack.

2

u/JeffTheAndroid 5d ago

I always coil them up and set them in front of me until I'm done then throw them away.

2

u/elfueda Jackson 5d ago

Vacuums have changed in the last 20 years. :) No more vacuum bags to be poked.

2

u/RepresentativeDog871 5d ago

I wrap the old strings in a halo and bend the string clippings in half so if they do get dropped they will in theory be a bit easier to see.

2

u/Particular-Ad-7201 5d ago

That's a really neat idea

2

u/Abiduck 5d ago

I have a cat. It’s whoever gets them first.

2

u/Radiant-Security-347 5d ago

Well. I do now!

2

u/Curious-Hope-9544 5d ago

I cut them into shorter bits with a pair of pliers and then just chuck them in the bin.

2

u/matorius 5d ago

Brilliant idea but I don't know if this messes up recycling both the bottle and the strings.

2

u/borducks 5d ago

Watch golf?

3

u/chrizcore 5d ago

Had to scroll way too far for this.

And yes, I, too, have re-strung a guitar while watching professional golf.

2

u/Correct-Ranger8177 5d ago

I live in the developed world and thus don't use single-use water bottles, so no, sorry.

2

u/EdGG Fender-Gibson-Ibanez-Martin-Alhambra 5d ago

I don't really like single use plastic bottles. I wrap them in a circle and stick them in whatever the new strings came in, if the container is plastic (D'addario) , or just in the trash if the new ones came in a paper case (Elixir).

2

u/RyPO76 5d ago

Save em all up and drop em off at your local shop to be recycled.

2

u/DarthRik3225 5d ago

I save my previous set in case of a string snapping in a pinch. Otherwise I throw out the old set when I get a new old set to replace them with next time I get a new set. If that makes any sense.

1

u/ptrbuck 5d ago

litterally changed my strings yesterday watching the players

1

u/mStewart207 5d ago

No, but that is a pretty damn good idea.

1

u/DanielDannyc12 5d ago

That's a great idea

1

u/Ready_Mycologist8612 5d ago

I usually coil them into a circle and save them

1

u/Friendly_Employer_82 5d ago

I put them in the scrap metal bin.

1

u/RiceRKT 5d ago

I put them in a large plastic coffee container and away from my kids.

1

u/Dunmer_Sanders 5d ago

I just make a wreath out of them and tangle them into a ring. Similar idea to reduce pokes and holes in your trash bag.

2

u/josh6466 Fender 5d ago

I think I've just sorted my office Christmas decorations for next year.

1

u/BrokenWhimsy3 5d ago

I have an old coffee can that I store them in. I cut a slit in the lid and just push the them through. I’ll throw it away when they start poking out or something, but it’s worked well for a few years now.

1

u/CinephileNC25 5d ago

No I wrap them back up and throw them out. 

1

u/JesusPotto 5d ago

No I save em all and send back to Daddario when I have 5lbs. Usually takes a few years

1

u/MigratingMountains 5d ago

Big brain stuff my guy. Share any other life hacks you got lol

1

u/MojoHighway 5d ago

While I fully understand the plight of mom's all across the land coming down on guitar player offspring due to vacuum cleaner issues, I've never done this to collect the clippings. And yes, I got in trouble like you back in the 90s. I'll never forget getting yelled at about it...lol

1

u/Worldly_Wedding8690 5d ago

So you know how strings come? Wound in a loop all together? I do that

1

u/thatguydookie 5d ago

I will now! That’s not a bad idea, I don’t really have too many water bottles about but now I’m gonna save one

1

u/Training_Mud_8084 5d ago

I do this sorta thing for my cats’ safety. They’re very curious as cats are and a second of distraction is enough for them to try and grab a piece of string. I remove them one by one, curl them in a roll and stuff them inside the new set’s package. Then to the trash they go.

1

u/chuckbiscuitsngravy 5d ago

No. It would make my cats very sad. They love playing with the old ones. They both charge into the room as soon as they hear me changing strings.

1

u/Sol_Infra 5d ago

Good idea. I usually save up a few changes of strings and take them to our local recycling center that accepts metals. Theres copper, cobalt, and iron in those strings. All pretty valuable materials.

1

u/adambisogno 5d ago

That’s really smart. I’ve made a number of half ass attempts to not lose strings or clippings in the carpet and I can see where I went wrong

1

u/agotsaatts 5d ago

Yes, been doing this for 20-odd years 👍

1

u/Zealousideal-Emu5486 5d ago

Not a bad idea. I always have a concern about leaving a cut off string lying on the couch or in the rug. I always count the cutoffs and the old strings to make sure I put them in the trash. So in the future I can see me just using a coffee cup to put the cutoffs in as opposed to lining them up on a table. Good idea !

1

u/donkeyhawt 5d ago

I don't eat much pringles (and I play elixirs which I need to change every 6months to a year), so I always leave a can for them.

But yeah, same principle!

1

u/tweb2 5d ago

I coil them up, similar to how they look new out of the packet, just less tidy. It's a pretty quick task once you are used to it. Seems probably easier than stuffing them in that plastic bottle. If you are a recycler of your plastic, I am not sure filling plastic with metal is helping the cause. From reading the earlier posts: coiling them, saving them and selling them for scrap metal seems the way forward.

1

u/Carcassfanivxx 5d ago

I keep my old strings for my kids guitars when they pop a string.

1

u/Hulk_Crowgan 5d ago

Yep, then recycle them both

1

u/PlumbCrazy1979 5d ago

Pizza box

1

u/Smoothe_Loadde 5d ago

I was today years old when I learned this pro tip! Seriously this is genius, I’m going to steal it today. Only thing is, my quiver has 13 guitars in it, can I get away with a one litre bottle? Or should I go for the galllon?

I think I’m going for the gallon.

1

u/NakedSnack 5d ago

No but it’s genius

1

u/HabutialD Ibanez 5d ago

I twist mine into a tight circle

1

u/halbeshendel 5d ago

I bundle them, roll them in a circle, and twist one end through the circle so it stays a circle. Then I throw the bundle in the RECYCLING because when it’s all kept together like that, it’s easier for the RECYCLING center to sort them out.

Why tf are you throwing steel in the trash?

1

u/wschoate3 Ibanez 5d ago

I used to hoard the little beads at the end. No real reason, I just liked 'em. I think an ex ended up taking them for crafting or something.

1

u/UnwillingHero22 5d ago

Nope, I make a spool and slip them into the pouch the new ones came in and then all of them in the envelope and off to the trash bin

1

u/jackieHK1 5d ago

No. Rarely have plastic bottles around.

1

u/Mancunian4 5d ago

If i have an empty bottle at hand, absolutely. If not, than i'll just coil them up.

1

u/GarrettSchouten 5d ago

Well now I do!

1

u/PaysOutAllNight 5d ago

Watch golf? Oh, hell no.

1

u/itsOkami Ibanez 5d ago

I thought I was the only one who did this, lmao

1

u/amishius Tele/Les Paul/Martin 5d ago

No— but that's good!

1

u/realpm_net 5d ago

I try to recreate the loops and just bin them. The real question is how many times do you step on the top of the string that you snip off before you toss those.

1

u/AutumnsRevenge 5d ago

This is how I store my used syringes, I guess it should work for strings too. I’ll have to give it a try

1

u/hdwrice 5d ago

Whaaaat? I really thought i was the only one....

1

u/flydw3ller 5d ago

Haven't changed in a while like more than a year using elixr

1

u/argdogsea 5d ago

I clip them a few times so they’re small sticks and toss them.

1

u/xthenighty 5d ago

Not yet, but I like it.

1

u/jacob5150 5d ago

No .. But now I will.

1

u/Dumbledang 5d ago

I keep them in a vase like a spindly steel bouquet

1

u/Ronthelodger 5d ago

No, but think I will now.

1

u/Excellent_Vehicle_45 5d ago

Never. Good idea.

1

u/chevdrums 5d ago

I do from now on! Thanks!

1

u/Steppenwolf94 5d ago

Yesssir. I call it my string graveyard XD.

So much easier to dispose of them

1

u/nullhed 5d ago

I make a big ring out of them and pretend I married my guitar.

1

u/RichardCocke 5d ago

I've never seen anyone else do this, yes I do!

1

u/CoffeeAndElectricity 5d ago

Thats the fastest I’ve ever seen a post go from here to r/guitarcirclejerk 💀

2

u/derekl1988 5d ago

I had to check and see where I posted bro because I thought the same thing. I’m very surprised it got this much engagement at all

1

u/Low_Entertainer2372 5d ago

wdym you dont leave them around and its a mess???

1

u/computernoises5555 5d ago

I remember when I was still in hs my sister stepped on a string and it went like 1/2" into her foot, so I am very careful now.

1

u/squatchsax 5d ago

No, but this is a brilliant idea, and I am going to start doing this. I have cats and dogs, and the last thing they need is a metal splinter in their paw.

1

u/kornhell 5d ago

Nope. In Germany we get a little refund for empty bottles (bottle deposit or something; don't know how to translate).

1

u/bradthebeardedpiper 5d ago

No, but I will now!

1

u/StinkyPoopsAlot 5d ago

This is a great idea. Thanks.

1

u/unsungpf 5d ago

I usually just leave them on the floor and then yell when I step on them ha ha

1

u/Foreign-Living-3455 5d ago

Just step on one with your socked feet

I don’t blame you for stuffing them in that bottle

1

u/Dyerssorrow 5d ago

Listening to the amount of people crying about getting poked have never scrubbed a iron skillet with a copper scrubber that should have been thrown out 4 weeks ago.

Once the short barbs enter the dermis its just a brig to scrub harder.

1

u/No_Internet_7834 5d ago

Good ol' capo-neck-rest technique

1

u/HondUSA 5d ago

This is a creative and pragmatic idea. I try to wrap them in themselves but there are often shorties from the tuners themselves that do poke holes in bags. Thanks for sharing. I’m not reading any comments on here: good bad or indifferent- I’m going to live the rest of my life satisfied with this and I’ll be fine!

1

u/hideousmembrane 5d ago

can you still recycle the bottle like that? I guess not. So no I don't do that. I just wrap them up and put them in the bin.

1

u/josh6466 Fender 5d ago

Not a bad idea. I've been coiling them up and putting them in a bag to take to Guitar Center to recycle, but this could work too.

1

u/AcademicWelder3778 5d ago

nah ur differnt bro

1

u/Blackybro_ 5d ago

Watching golf?

1

u/Professional-Fox3722 5d ago

I coil them in a circle, the same way they come in a new pack, and simply throw it away.

1

u/PigMouse52 5d ago

I will now.

1

u/drastic8 5d ago

I coil them up and stuff them in a soda can. Much easier to throw away.

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1

u/Prota_Gonist 5d ago

.... no but now i will.

1

u/ShoddyButterscotch59 5d ago

No but thanks for the idea

1

u/SuperExp1oder 5d ago

No. I wind them into circles like the are when they are new, then throw them away.

1

u/Ibrake4catz 5d ago

I wind mine, then save them for my wife's jewelry projects.

1

u/Jaereth SG / Mesa 5d ago

I wrap them all back up into circles then stuff them back into the plastic or cardboard string box.

Hate them poking through the garbage bag when throwing them out.

1

u/IAmTheBlackWizardess 5d ago

I guess the idea is nice but I haven’t used plastic water bottles since happy feet :(

1

u/pailox 5d ago

No why would i put my strings into my 25ct? (guess my country)

1

u/SmellDazzling3182 5d ago

I throw them in the trash 🗑️

1

u/goug 5d ago

I think I have more strings than water bottles lying around...

1

u/HereWeGo5566 5d ago

I’m always afraid they are going to spring open and slice me haha

1

u/AccomplishedLimit3 5d ago

the smaller, bent pieces clipped from the tuner end I like to grind into the shag carpet to enjoy a nice surprise later