Internet myth? Is taking all strings off at once bad?

[Armchair Bronco]

So, is it a bad idea to take all of the strings off on your guitar when changing strings? What about taking all of the strings off so you can apply some fretboard oil conditioner, perhaps letting the oil soak in overnight before putting on new strings?

 

Is this an internet myth or is it really a bad idea?

[Matt Howell]

That is a myth, a weird one. It does not need to sit overnight.

[Armchair Bronco]

 

That is a myth, a weird one. It does not need to sit overnight.

 

 

Maybe I didn't explain this well enough. I'm asking whether it's considered a bad thing to take all 6 strings off at once and not have any tension on the headstock, neck, and truss rod.

 

I have a Gibson SG Classic with a set neck. I want to put some "Fret Doctor" on the fretboard and let it soak in for a long time before wiping down the fretboard. The easiest way to do this is to take off *ALL* strings at once.

 

The internet wisdom states, I think, that this is a bad idea.

[the_gunslinger]

I say nonsense. I don't really see any issues removing all the strings for a while. Once you put string tension back on the neck, everything should settle in like it was before. I've never had strings off more than a few days for repairs or what not, I've never had any issues myself, but I could be wrong.

[Eddie]

I remove all strings before putting on new ones. I clean the fingerboard and condition if needed.

Regarding letting the oil soak overnight I would not recommend it. Usually I only use a few drops for the whole board, maybe once or twice a year. If you use too much oil you run the risk of loosening the actual frets, and chances are that the board will not absorb all that oil.

[Carbohydrates]

I take all the strings off to work on guitars all the time. You can even leave it unstrung for a long time (months) if you straighten out the truss rod first. A day or two without strings won't hurt it.

[Pope on a Rope]

It's not a myth. For the mechanically disinclined n00b it is good advice.

 

"help!!!!11!1 I chnged my strings and now action is too high"

 

"Oh noes! My bridge fell out and scratched up my guitar"

 

"help!!!!11!1 I changed my strings and now all the frets are buzzing!!"

 

"Aaahh my Gibson's tailpiece fell off!!! How do I make it stay on?"

 

"I"M GOING TO KILL MYSELF!!! WHY WON"T FLOYD SIT FLAT WITH NEW STRINGS!?!??"

[Matt Howell]

 

I remove all strings before putting on new ones. I clean the fingerboard and condition if needed. Regarding letting the oil soak overnight I would not recommend it. Usually I only use a few drops for the whole board, maybe once or twice a year. If you use too much oil you run the risk of loosening the actual frets, and chances are that the board will not absorb all that oil.

 

 

This. The only problem I could see would be maybe an all mahogany guitar left with no tension for a long period of time.

[D Carroll]

I do it in sets of three, just because it keeps the bridge on place.

[Spike Li]

Wood is pretty flimsy, i mean look at how weak trees are...

 

 

 

I think this myth stems from people not knowing how a truss rod works - they think its some kind of spring that will give you neck a back bow or twist it or whatever unless strings are counteracting it... but no, like the name implies its a rod which provides static force. If you loosen it it wont do anything, if you dont, itll just apply a force on the neck till a certain point and then stop once the neck adjusts to that point, which shouldnt harm the guitar at all unless you truss rod is super tight.

[twotimingpete]

it's utter nonsense. it won't harm your guitar to take the strings off at once. period. move along.

[Faber]

 

I remove all strings before putting on new ones. I clean the fingerboard and condition if needed. Regarding letting the oil soak overnight I would not recommend it. Usually I only use a few drops for the whole board, maybe once or twice a year. If you use too much oil you run the risk of loosening the actual frets, and chances are that the board will not absorb all that oil.

 

 

I second this - I've never had the frets loosen, but the oil seem to be doing it's job n a matter of minutes rather than hours.

[Armchair Bronco]

I sense a possible episode on MythBusters...who's wit me?

 

[schiz]

I sense a possible episode on MythBusters...who's wit me?

 

You go 1st!

 

Im like most people in saying it is myth. Ive never had a problem by leaving strings off, or taking them off all at once.

 

When I change strings - I take them all off. Then I rub GHS Fast Fret on my frets (its just mineral oil - it loosens the oil deposits left behind from my fingers), then wipe it back off a little while later. Leaving the fretboard nice and dark and clean too! I dont see this application causing any frets to come loose either. I think THAT is myth as well.

 

[DaleH]

The neck was built and didn't explode. I don't see how taking the strings off is going to hurt it.

I have a Warmoth neck hanging in my shop getting the finish done. Is there some reason I should put strings on it.

[etawful]

Won't hurt a thing to leave them off. Have you ever seen the photos from Fenders factory with hundreds of necks ready to be bolted on? How about all those necks at Warmoth, and other after market makers?

 

It's not going to hurt it.

[k4df4l]

Yes, you can take all the strings off. However, I don't really think you're going to see a practical benefit from trying to saturate the fretboard with oil overnight...the surface is only going to hold so much oil.

[59humbucker]

There is no issue with having all the strings off at the same time.

 

The only concern I've ever read about is sniping them all off at the same time while they are at pitch. Other than the obvious strings flying every which way, the idea of making such a sudden change in tension (from over 200lbs of tension to none in a second) does seem foolish

[newbuilder]

I sense a possible episode on MythBusters...who's wit me?

 

Awsome picture:thu:

 

When I play floyd equiped guitars, most often I do one at a time to keep the trem floating at about the same tension, it's just quicker for me...but I have had and have guitars with no strings for some time and some are sitting here right now with no strings and it's complete hogwash. You can take all off at once, leave it overnight, whatever...don't throw it out in the snow.

[Doctor49]

I sense a possible episode on MythBusters...who's wit me?

 

 

 

now thats busted!

 

me me me me oh me I'm there.........

......but only if that walrus in a beret and welding goggles (I ask you...really)keeps away.

 

This myth is entirely busted.

[Bro Blue]

The only time I don't take them all off is when changing strings on a guitar with a Floyd-type floating bridge (Edge III, ZR, etc.). Other than that, I've been taking them all off and restringing for over 20 years and I have never, ever, seen any ill effects from it. Either from any of my guitars or hundreds (thousands?) I've set up.

[Grantus]

Yes, for fixed bridge guitars, there's no problem taking them all off at once. For floating bridges, you're better off changing one at a time.

[ashasha]

I wouldn't suggest soaking your fretboard overnight; the oil can get under the frets and eventually loosen them.

 

This myth originated from pre-WWII guitars that did not have truss rods. It's completely irrelevant unless you own one of these. Now some necks may settle a bit if they are unstrung for a while, but they will almost always come back in under tension and if not you can tweak the truss rod a bit to correct it.

 

 

Yes, for fixed bridge guitars, there's no problem taking them all off at once. For floating bridges, you're better off changing one at a time.

 

Disagree a bit here, it doesn't matter what type it is if you have a good method. I can't imagine doing one string at a time; it'd drive me nuts; plus how are you supposed to clean your guitar.

[Gas Hed]

I'm gonna drop some science on your ass!

 

Check out the chart, so long as you are in the elastic region, there is no issue (i.e. the wood can take stress and strain and never be permanently damaged). Now if you go beyond that, you'll have a problem.

 

Bottom line, no issue.

[Grantus]

 

Disagree a bit here, it doesn't matter what type it is if you have a good method. I can't imagine doing one string at a time; it'd drive me nuts; plus how are you supposed to clean your guitar.

 

 

Fair enough. If you're a hack like me, you're better off changing them one at a time when you have a floating bridge.