I Finally Found A Use For Old Guitar Strings.....

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10-28-2013, 12:37 PM
Gigmaster

I Finally Found A Use For Old Guitar Strings.....

I am a pro musician, and have several guitars, which means I have to change strings often. I have always hated throwing them away, but the only use I ever found for them was using the Phosphor Bronze 1st (E) strings for weed-guards on lures and flies, and metal leaders for saltwater fishing. All the other Bronze strings are too stiff to be able to wrap around a hook. Well, I changed the strings on my classical guitar the other day, and decided to try to use the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings (nylon) for flies (on a classical guitar, these are all the same diameter......)

The result was a great looking bluegill buster pattern. The string gave the body some incredible definition and segmentation. I tested it out in the river behind the house, and all the fish tried to destroy it, Redears, sunfish, SM Bass, a few trout, and even a crappie (which I didn't even know was in there...) all attacked it with murderous abandon. Since this was the 3rd string (G), I am calling the fly the G-String.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...psde554143.jpg

G-String

Hook: #10 2X Nymph
Thread: Red 6/0 Unithread
Eyes: Large Bead Chain, tied Clouser-style
Tail: White Sparkle Craft Fur
Underbody: Red Unithread
Outer Body: Used Nylon Guitar String, in this case, the G-String (3rd)
Hackle, black Craft Fur in a dubbing loop
Legs: medium black rubber legs
10-28-2013, 12:58 PM
Uncle Jesse

Gig, Is the red from the thread underneath the string or did the string have some color to it. I am completely non-musical so I have never looked at a guitar string for more than 10 seconds.
10-28-2013, 01:14 PM
Gigmaster

The red is from the red thread showing through, sort of a translucent look. On classical (nylon) strings, the first three are plain clear nylon (usually) and the last three (bass) are wrapped with a soft metal thread, usually bronze.

I'll be experimenting with some other styles shortly, maybe using the wrapped strings for a sort of Copper-Johnish type fly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Jesse

Gig, Is the red from the thread underneath the string or did the string have some color to it. I am completely non-musical so I have never looked at a guitar string for more than 10 seconds.
10-28-2013, 03:14 PM
Silver Creek

Natural gut strings from tennis racquets make great looking caddis pupae when wet. You could try these flies with the guitar strings.

http://www.flyfisher.ro/en/catgut-a-...r-tying-flies/

http://www.flyfisher.ro/ro/files/2012/04/catgut2.jpg

http://flytying.ro/images/gallery/At...me pupa/17.jpg

http://www.flytying.ro/images/galler... Catgut/11.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LaNwsEXf5A
10-28-2013, 06:25 PM
Uncle Jesse

Thanks for the link Silver, now I know what to do with the white fur that comes off our cat.
10-28-2013, 09:08 PM
Gigmaster

Great-looking bugs.
What size hook, and what are you using for the hackle? I'll give them a shot.

I love recycling......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Creek

Natural gut strings from tennis racquets make great looking caddis pupae when wet. You could try these flies with the guitar strings.

http://www.flyfisher.ro/en/catgut-a-...r-tying-flies/

http://www.flyfisher.ro/ro/files/2012/04/catgut2.jpg

http://flytying.ro/images/gallery/At...me pupa/17.jpg

http://www.flytying.ro/images/galler... Catgut/11.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LaNwsEXf5A
10-28-2013, 11:28 PM
CharlaineC

love the look great idea
10-29-2013, 12:07 AM
Fly Goddess

As another professional musician, I have yet to figure out how to incorporate "BASS" strings into a fly. Heck, the string is thicker than most my flies I tie.:-D
I use clear stretch cord for making jewelry. Plus a #28
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_1404.jpg
10-29-2013, 03:20 AM
Gigmaster

Nice tie....

I play bass guitar also, but my bass is an Ashbory, with silicone rubber strings. They are way too thick, even for a saltwater fly. Regular bass strings??? I dunno...maybe you could tow a car or boat with them????

As I said earlier, you can use the 1st (E), and 2nd (B) steel strings (or bronze) to make wire leaders and weed-guards. I am sure any guitar player would be happy to donate old strings to any non-musicians who wanted them. I go through more strings than I could ever tie flies on. So far, it looks like one nylon string will make about 12 medium (6-10) size streamers, and probably even more smaller nymph-size flies.
10-29-2013, 04:33 AM
Greg H

I am a drummer, so not much material there unless a drum head provides mylar for scud backs (but way too heavy). However I have gone to the music store to purchase BLACK nylon guitar strings to cut and heat to make eyes for larger nymphs, small muddlers, and grasshoppers, etc. Worked great!
10-29-2013, 10:19 AM
Fly Goddess

I have guitars, and lord knows I work with many (Rock and Roll), just never thought of using left overs. Just no nylon in R&R.;)
10-29-2013, 11:22 AM
Captain_Mortis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Goddess

I have guitars, and lord knows I work with many (Rock and Roll), just never thought of using left overs. Just no nylon in R&R.;)

I've only played acoustic; but, couldn't the metal strings be used for ribbing or weight? Not sure how "flexible" they are.
10-29-2013, 06:06 PM
jimp

Very nice work making those flies, how long does it take or hard is it to get the string material to stay on the hook as pictured? The flies look very lifelike.
10-29-2013, 10:51 PM
Gigmaster

What a great idea. I'll have to try that out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg H

I am a drummer, so not much material there unless a drum head provides mylar for scud backs (but way too heavy). However I have gone to the music store to purchase BLACK nylon guitar strings to cut and heat to make eyes for larger nymphs, small muddlers, and grasshoppers, etc. Worked great!
10-29-2013, 10:53 PM
Gigmaster

It is very hard to get bronze strings to wrap around the hook. Maybe the 1st string may work. I'll give it a try and see what happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Mortis

I've only played acoustic; but, couldn't the metal strings be used for ribbing or weight? Not sure how "flexible" they are.
10-29-2013, 11:09 PM
Gigmaster

The Nylon string is not that hard to wrap, but you do need to keep some tight pressure on it until you get it cinched, or it will explode off of the hook. And you need to cinch it down real good before turning loose of it, at least 15 to 20 tight wraps. Kevlar thread would be great for this because you could really put some tension on it, without it breaking. And there would be little danger of cutting the nylon with it.
10-30-2013, 02:08 PM
chewydog

Saw somewhere steel guitar strings bent and tied in as weed guards on streamers. Looked good.
10-30-2013, 04:25 PM
quivira kid

Good looking pattern!