How do you thwart the string tangling pixies?

JonnyBgoode

So whenever I am working on the innards of my Strats and keeping the strings currently installed thus only removing them from the tuners, without fail when my attention is focused elsewhere the pixies emerge from their hiding place and tie all my strings together in a big clump. No matter how carefully I try to keep the strings apart (eg. separating the bass and trebles and laying them in different directions) the pixies do their worst.

Even if I am just briefly glancing under the pickguard to check a connection, the string tangling pixies work their evil magic in a matter of seconds leaving me with guitar string spaghetti to untie for about two hours while they sit there laughing at me.

How can I counter their magic? This is worse than all the plectrums they hide that I drop on the floor.

mrkb

I just wrap them together near the tuner end with a black twist wire that comes on all audio cables - keeps the worst tanging at bay. I wrap it in a spiral along the bundle of strings to cover about 5cm.

Winny_Pooh

Capo on 1st fret

paulnb57

Slacken stings
Capo 1st fret
Pop the neck off
Carefully set the neck out of the way

Done it loads of times ( but only once on a set neck!) 

JonnyBgoode

paulnb57 said:

Slacken stings
Capo 1st fret
Pop the neck off
Carefully set the neck out of the way

Done it loads of times ( but only once on a set neck!) 

Ah yes I forgot, have actually done it that way before. I'm guess I'm just a bit wary about doing that too many times in case I wear down the neck holes/threads.

stickyfiddle

I usually put a bit of masking tape around them between tuners and nut. That was way they stay like a ribbon and can't ever touch, never mind get tangled. 

Roland

If you want to hold the strings further up the neck than a capo allows the use a hair bobble. 

What do you mean, you haven’t got one of those girly things? Any self respecting guitarist needs one waiting behind the nut for those octo-digital tapping moments.