Steps for changing stirngs

[firstchair]

Can some one give the steps to changing mandolin strings and does this apply to guitar too?

[Jason Holmes]

Step #1: follow this link... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPa....g1.html (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring1.html)

Changing strings works much the same on mandolins and guitars, aside from having looped-end strings for (most) mandolins versus ball-end strings for (most) guitars.

[Chip Booth]

My biggest suggestion is change them one at a time so as not to move the bridge.

Chip

[mrmando]

Put down the Guinness so you can use both hands.

[JeffD]

Put down the Guinness so you can use both hands.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Yes, a very good recommendation.

[Tim]

I generally follow the steps at the link cited but I remove two then do a replace one, remove one pattern. this gives me a little more space while working with the middle strings (handy if you have fat fingers).

[Steve L]

You're supposed to put down the Guinness!!??

[Timbofood]

If you have a straw you can still enjoy the Guinness. I usually do one side, have another Guinness then the trouble,er, treble side. Yeah, yeah, that's it. Now, where is my Wild Turkey? Need to change a banjo head!

[dj coffey]

Remove the cats from the room, then remove the strings.:p

[JeffD]

Remove the cats from the room, then remove the strings.:p
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

There is some wisdom to that.

[Paul Hostetter]

It doesn't exactly hurt to do it, but I never backwind wound strings - there's no point and doing so makes getting them off later much more difficult. One of the major reasons people dread restringing instruments is because it takes so long, if you're doing it the hard way.

http://www.lutherie.net/stringing.mandolin.jpg

Guitar:

http://www.lutherie.net/stringing.jpg

[Doug Edwards]

Paul,

I'm always amazed at the number of professional photos you have to post. You must have some library and data base to manage all your photos.

[red7flag]

On advantage of using all 12 of the hooks on a Gibson type tail piece is that the string will be less likely to pop off. Another way to keep it from popping off is to us a capo to hold the string in place when you are looping around the tuning peg. I can remember the first time I strung a mandolin. I would be just about ready to tighten the string and it would pop off and so would a curse word from my mouth. I also remember my fingers looking like pin cushions from all the punctures. Last night I restrung my Stanley, that has a Gibson type tail piece. Nary a curse word or a punctured finger. I guess I am getting better...at stringing the mando. Now I have to work on playing it.:)
Tony

[Timbofood]

No kidding, Great illustration! I need a real library with a few books that have not been colored in yet.
One trick I learned from a guy that did lots of kid shows is to not cut the "tail off but to "work harden" it back and forth and the core breaks off under the winding. That way there are no sharp ends for little fingers. You don't need cutters either with that method.

[bikebum]

I've gotten to where I'll just cut the strings off on about every third change. I also do this with the banjo. It keeps me in practice for repositioning the bridge (so I don't forget how to do it) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Lee]

For those of us with aging lamps, a pair of those inexpensive reading/magnifying glasses are helpful.
Safer too.

[firstchair]

Thank you

[firstchair]

Thanks for the tips I have successfully changed 4 of the 8 strings and plan to do the rest later. The capo idea works really well