| Subject: | Re: [RESOGUIT-L] String changing | | Date: | Sunday, March 25, 2007 11:41:38 (-0400) | | From: | Peter B <resoguit @.....net>
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| In reply to: | Message 6399 (written by Bryan Dixon) |
Wow - what a variety of string changing methods.
And I thought I used the one most people use:
Dig through the drawer of packages of strings,
capos, broken tuners, assorted picks, and that
stuff that looks useful but you can't remember
what it was for. Grab a package of strings.
No table with enough space on it around so find
a good spot in the center of the couch and set
your strings and tools around you as you balance
your guitar on your lap.
Whoops - set everything aside as you go back to the
drawer to look for the needle-nose pliers - or did
those end up back in the toolbox? Oh, of course.
They're over by the refrigerator (had to get a snack
after restringing last time).
Back on the couch, guitar nice and balanced, string
envelopes laid out in order. Start with the sixth
string since that's closest. Use crank to loosen the -
ack! Where's the crank? (Search left to the imagination.)
Back to the couch, looks like everything is in place.
Unwind the sixth string while keeping the guitar from
falling off your lap. Use pliers to tug the string out
of the post. When it still won't come out, cut the string
and then tug some more on what's left. Make a note of
where the piece of string flew to so you can get it when
cleaning up later.
Place the ball end in the slot. If the string is
too thick for the slot, use a screwdriver or some
other inappropriate tool to try to make the slot
larger. What that's done, then run the string up
over the nut to the post. Estimate how much string
you need and insert through the post hole to that
point. Bend the string at that point since you heard
that's how to do it. Start cranking and watch the
string pull out anyway. Make a better bend and hold
it while starting to crank.
Switch to cranking with one hand while holding the
string down near the nut to keep it from overlapping
on the post. Uncrank when you see that it overlapped
anyway. Repeat these steps several times.
During this phase, where both hands are working
at the head of the guitar, its important to maintain
the balance of the guitar on your lap. This can be
done through proper positioning of your right knee
and by trying to keep your right elbow down on the
guitar.
After finally getting several wraps around the post
(too many? make a note to estimate the length better
next time), look down and see that the ball end of
the string popped out of its slot. Uncrank and start
over with the ball-in-the-slot step.
Repeat these steps for the rest of the strings. The
one difference will be with the plain strings. As you're
cranking these and getting the wraps perfect, watch
for when the string starts slipping out of the post
hole as tension is applied. Uncrank and then spend
several minutes trying to tie the now curly string
around the post in an effort to get it to stay. After
achieving that goal, continue with getting perfect
wraps around the post and having the ball end pop
out of the slot.
As you replace each string, be sure to cut it off
at the post, leaving enough sticking out to poke
you and draw blood while you're working on the
other strings. Also be sure to stretch each string
to get it "settled in" and make it easier to tune.
If the plain strings didn't come loose on the post
before, they should during this step.
Finally, clean up the pieces of string all around
the room and coil up the old strings so they'll
fit in the garbage bag. Watch as the old strings
uncoil and poke through the garbage bag. And as
you throw away the string packaging, reread it
to see that you've just put electric guitar
strings on your reso.
Peter
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