Members Fred Fartboski Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Not that speed is important when changing strings, but this is fast and efficient:http://www.elixirstrings.com/whatsnew/techtips.html?xcmp=iggElixNewsMar09_text_techtips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members missedmyexit Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Strangely enough I enjoy taking my time with string changes, take all the strings off. Clean her up. Give her a once over, maybe a bit of polish if needed. Then stringing her back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I certainly like to take my time too and I don't have a problem winding the tuners by hand. Although the power winder was cool. However, the cutting to length idea, I like that. I'm going to have to use that method for the next string change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members darkwaters Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I'm intrigued. I'll be trying that. Did you notice that he didn't wind once above the projecting string and then continue below on the shaft, which is the way I've always done it. Maybe I'm just wasting time. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JasmineTea Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Did you notice that he didn't wind once above the projecting string and then continue below on the shaft, which is the way I've always done it. Maybe I'm just wasting time.I do that, too, but I also bend the projecting part the opposite direction the string is wound on the shaft. Sometimes they slip, otherwise, especialy the the B and high E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fred Fartboski Posted March 18, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Did you notice that he didn't wind once above the projecting string and then continue below on the shaft, which is the way I've always done it.Thanks. Yeah, that and measuring the string lengths with the posts is what I'll be trying on my next change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EdBega Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Good deal, thanks..:thu: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members outdoorgb Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Anyone else notice the Turtle Wax Express Shine bottle??? Wonder if that has wax? I know nothing but many here cringe and the sight of wax near their axe... Hey, I made a rhyme...just in time:facepalm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bigald18 Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I'm retired, I don't care if it takes me ten hours to change strings! BigAl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tkris Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 i dreaded (no pun intended) changing strings until i discovered the "taylor way" -- cutting the strings before winding. http://www.taylorguitars.com/global/pdfs/Steel_Restring.pdf works great. and your guitar doesn't even have to be a taylor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jamesp Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Some of those winders have a spacing pad inside. I had one fall out once and it left some nasty circular scars on a Martin headstock. Don't hurry if you don't have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blue2blue Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've heard of guys pre-cutting their strings but this vid clearly explained the rationale and beauty of it. I remember the first time I saw instructions on how to wind a guitar string on a pack of strings... I thought, yeah, sure wish they'd had that on the string packs when I started. It probably didn't really take me years (no, maybe it did ) to figure out how to string a guitar best, but a clear simple explanation like that or this would have really helped me out back then. The re-geared moto-tool is particularly nice, particularly if it's got a good adjustable clutch. Now maybe I'll figure out how to keep my nylon strings from slipping when you first put 'em on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sixgunner455 Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Pair of diagonal cutters is all the tools I used for a long time. Bought a manual winder with a peg puller on it for $3.99 the other day, and changed a set of strings last night. Was a little bit easier winding, but the big advantage (to me) was using the peg puller instead of carefully using the cutters to pinch the pegs out (and yes, a luthier showed me how to do that, Gary. ) I don't mind taking some time to change strings. Life's short, but it's not that short. Changing strings doesn't take that long, and it's kind of relaxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Pair of diagonal cutters is all the tools I used for a long time. Bought a manual winder with a peg puller on it for $3.99 the other day, and changed a set of strings last night. Was a little bit easier winding, but the big advantage (to me) was using the peg puller instead of carefully using the cutters to pinch the pegs out (and yes, a luthier showed me how to do that, Gary. ) I don't mind taking some time to change strings. Life's short, but it's not that short. Changing strings doesn't take that long, and it's kind of relaxing. Life is the longest thing you'll ever do. Way back when, when changing my first set of strings, the first tool I reached for when trying pull out the pins was a pair of diagonal cutters. Gentle pressure as you squeeze, so you don't mar the pin, then rock it back. Viola! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hoddy Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've been cutting my strings like that and using that measuring method since the 70s. And on Fender style headstocks I measure out two posts for cutting the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members babablowfish Posted March 18, 2009 Members Share Posted March 18, 2009 Even though I won't change my behavior, I really enjoyed the video. Like some others here, I enjoy changing the strings and see no need to hurry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kimona Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 Certainly was a nice fast clean job. But, I look forward to cleaning my guitars and slowly changing strings. It's almost like therapy for me... very relaxing, indeed. Hey, anybody need their strings changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DJ in FL Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 10-4 on taking your time. Of course that luthier guy was getting it done as quickly as possible--ones around here charge $25 to change strings, so they can't take long. I guess if you do as many at the guy at Taylor shop does, it would be easy and fast. I saw the link for slothead string change. Surely takes me a lot longer to wrestle, and not get stuck, with them, how about you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kimona Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 $25 to change strings??? Geez, I want that job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tele guy Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 For $25 a pop I'd change your strings and shine your shoes when you pick it up. As for the guy who would like his to keep his nylon strings from slipping.Try this. 1- Line the hole in the post up so you don't have to bend the string to put it through the hole.(Leave enough slack in the string to wrap around the post a few times) 2- Pull the tag end of the string around the post in the opposite direction the post is going to turn to tighten the string. 3- tuck the tag end of the string under and around it's self where it enters the post. 4- Pull the tag end of the string back around the post in the same direction the post is going to turn when the string is being tightened . 5- hold tension on both ends of the string and turn the tuning key until the string is tight.(This sometimes takes three hands) This should lock the tag end of the string in place. I hope it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Palmer Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'm retired, I don't care if it takes me ten hours to change strings! BigAl I'm semi-retired and only have five hours per string change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pinchegordo Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 i do mine like the vid but 2 post measure and one above the string for extra grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Palmer Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 Pair of diagonal cutters is all the tools I used for a long time. Bought a manual winder with a peg puller on it for $3.99 the other day, and changed a set of strings last night. Was a little bit easier winding, but the big advantage (to me) was using the peg puller instead of carefully using the cutters to pinch the pegs out (and yes, a luthier showed me how to do that, Gary. ) I don't mind taking some time to change strings. Life's short, but it's not that short. Changing strings doesn't take that long, and it's kind of relaxing. You sure it wasn't a tech who showed you? The terms guitar technician and luthier seem a little too interchangeable on the fora. I also tend to use diagonal cutters to nudge/unseat bridge pins. Those plastic string-winder cum pin-puller thingies tend to be a little too delicate and often slip if the pin is a tight fit. We've been using cordless screwdriver:peg winders in the workshop for somewhere around 20yrs and also snip strings before fitting, but tend to gauge string length slightly differently to the method indicated. Additional string length for a triple wrap around the tuner capstan generally equals the distance between nut and first fret on the majority of instruments. That general rule of thumb counts for both 3 and 6 in line headstocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 I'm retired, I don't care if it takes me ten hours to change strings! BigAl I'm with you, Big Al. When I retired four years ago I made myself a promise to never do another "rush" job as long as I live. So far, I've stuck to my guns. The only thing I do quickly these days is fall asleep!! I can do it so fast it'll make your head swim! As far as changing strings goes, I kinda enjoy doing it. It's the cheapest therapy I can think of other than my afternoon siesta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sixgunner455 Posted March 19, 2009 Members Share Posted March 19, 2009 You sure it wasn't a tech who showed you? The terms guitar technician and luthier seem a little too interchangeable on the fora. I also tend to use diagonal cutters to nudge/unseat bridge pins. Those plastic string-winder cum pin-puller thingies tend to be a little too delicate and often slip if the pin is a tight fit. We've been using cordless screwdriver:peg winders in the workshop for somewhere around 20yrs and also snip strings before fitting, but tend to gauge string length slightly differently to the method indicated. Additional string length for a triple wrap around the tuner capstan generally equals the distance between nut and first fret on the majority of instruments. That general rule of thumb counts for both 3 and 6 in line headstocks. Guy who builds and repairs stringed instruments = luthier, right? Didn't know how to do it, didn't want to break anything, sent him an email, he sent me a link to a vid and instructions he wrote up. Didn't show me personally, but ... showed me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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