Death To Stringing!

[Emmiemando]

I love the my mando and always will. There's absolutley nothing that I can find wrong with it. But there's one thing that I dread every few months. I hate re-srtinging mandolin. IT's something I just don't do well. It takes me a long time and the whole time I'm doing it, I am complaining because I should've just payed the $5 at Guitar Center to get it done for me......urg!
ANyone else feel my pain?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Jim Garber]

The only pain I get restringing is when I stick myself with a sharp string end. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Just take your time and enjoy the process. Perhaps a better question to you is: what part of the process do you dread and why? Maybe you are not doing it right or efficiently.

Jim

[peterbc]

The part of restringing I hate hate is the sound of new strings for a few days... Besides that it's fine.

[Dan Cole]

I hate it too, but it comes with the territory. I've been trying harder to make it look nicer. A String winder really helped.

Biggest pain is how much string to leave out before winding, especially those E's and A's I can end up with a lotta cranks!

[DrP]

To anyone who hates restringing, thinks it takes too long, etc, I would recommend looking at Frank Ford's Frets.com site. He gives a detailed method for changing strings (with pictures) that should save you a lot of time and make the process much less painful.

www.frets.com

[jmkatcher]

Another vote for Frank Ford. After following his examples, I can change strings relatively smoothly now. The crummy sound is annoying until the new strings warm up, but it then is a while before they start decaying again.

[J. Mark Lane]

I used to hate restringing. I still kind of dread it, because it takes free time away from playing. But some time ago I started taking a view that it is part of the entire experience of playing an instrument. It's a time when you coddle, caress and care for your beloved instrument. It's the mandolin's time, not yours, and the mandolin deserves some time of its own. I try to approach it philosophically, and with care and deliberation. I used to try to do it fast fast fast. That's the wrong way to approach it.

Also, I do agree, knowing how to do it "right" is important. I've been amazed to see how many "luthiers" for example don't know how to string a damned instrument. Frank Ford's site is good. Also, get a peg winder. I can't believe I spent all those years without one. They are advertised on the Cafe often, and are well worth the money.

Mark

[mandodebbie]

Re-stringing my mandolin has always been a stressful occasion for me. Especially when an E has decided to leave this cruel world. I have found that cursing and weeping just makes it harder for me to successfully proceed with this operation as my hands sweat profusely; thus making it difficult to keep a grip in the string - as you can well imagine. I am very gentle with my instrument and its respective parts as a rule. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[pdlstl]

I used to hate it until I bought one of these:

Guitar Bench Rest (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Inspection/Guitar_Bench_Rest.html)

Piece of cake now. BTW, I try to change every two weeks.

[jim simpson]

I hate to restring under pressure, meaning at a gig or even at a jam. I take a spare mando to gigs just in case.

[Scotti Adams]

..after 25 years of playing and restringing Ive grown quite proficient at it....using one of them cool wooden winders from Greg Boyds...10 minutes or less.....restringing is just like anything else..the more you do it the easier it becomes...

[Professor PT]

I have found that cursing and weeping just makes it harder for me to successfully proceed with this operation as my hands sweat profusely; thus making it difficult to keep a grip in the string - as you can well imagine. #
I used to have that problem. Now I use a pair of needle nose pliers to grip the string. It helps tremendously. No more bloody fingers, and you can pull on the string to get the tension in place before turning the tuning key. Invest two or three bucks in a pair of pliers, and you'll never curse your mandolin again.

[levin4now]

I enjoy restringing much more after finding that frets.com site. I always left way too much string to wind up on my guitar and now I do a much neater job on both my guitar and mandolin. Luckily, I found that site just prior to getting a mando, so no problem.

I love hearing my Gstring ring out more after a fresh string change. I don't change them often, so I notice a difference when I do. I like the silver look of my SamBush Monel wound strings too, but that's just a minor point.

[ira]

looked at frets.com, and i'm far better than i was. i am still slow, but more efficient and faster than i used to be. however, i still loathe doing it.

[pickles]

OKay, I'll check out that frets.com method. pdlstl -- every 2 weeks? It's taking me 2 weeks to restring once!
I get tiny moments to play, stolen from busy days. It seemed like I was never going to get those new strings on. Then a friend told me her guitarist husband changes them one at a time, and what a liberating idea that was. I put on a new G a week ago, yesterday I changed an E and today I put on another E and an A. This way, I can change a string or two and play a little, too. Only problem is, I'm so disorganized, what with picking things up and putting them away, stringing in the park, stringing back at home, I lost a string. Yes, a quicker method would be a great help.

[solerydr]

earlier today I recieved the worst restringing injury in 22 years of playing stringed instruments. the bent part of the a string dug in and when I jerked, I knocked my mandolin out of my lap.:(

[Eric F.]

Well, you could try putting on Thomastik-Infeld strings the next time you restring. They last for months and months, in my experience. The only problem with them is you get out of practice at restringing.

[8ch(pl)]

I do one string at a time, starting from the center and working out. That way the bridge stays where it was.

I also use a different approach than most. I put the loop in the tailpiece hook, run the string throught respective bridge and nut grooves then I wind the string neatly 3 times around the machine post. After putting the string through the post holes I pull it snug and then fetch it up to tension with the machine head. The neat wraps come up and hold the string end against the top of the whole.

When I do the G string I only give 2 wraps around the post. This works for me and ends guesswork as to how much string to leave when putting the end in the hole and winding with a device. I will admit that it is a bit slower than some, but I always end up with neat windings on the machine post.

Works for me.

[Philip Halcomb]

No problems stringing here, I change strings sometime as often as once a week when my instrument gets a lot of heavy play. Therefore with all that unstringing and restringing, I became real quick at it. 10 minutes for a full set without any winder. I notice that the folks who have the most difficulty don't change strings too often, maybe once every six months. It gets easier with practice... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pdlstl]

Since I bought the guitar bench rest, I can usually re-string my mando in 20-25 minutes.

Of course I played pedal steel for 27 years and got to where I could re-string both necks (20 strings total) in about 30 minutes using a string winder on a cordless screwdriver. If I broke a string during a song, many times I would have it replaced before the song was over! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[wannabethile]

*raises hand* I DO!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Glen, I do it the same as you except G = 1 wrap, D = 2 wraps, A&E = 3 wraps...... Looks neat & clean plus it's easier to get the old ones off to!

[Ken Sager]

I used to hate restringing. #I still kind of dread it, because it takes free time away from playing. #But some time ago I started taking a view that it is part of the entire experience of playing an instrument. #It's a time when you coddle, caress and care for your beloved instrument. #It's the mandolin's time, not yours, and the mandolin deserves some time of its own. #I try to approach it philosophically, and with care and deliberation. #I used to try to do it fast fast fast. #That's the wrong way to approach it. #

Also, I do agree, knowing how to do it "right" is important. #I've been amazed to see how many "luthiers" for example don't know how to string a damned instrument. #Frank Ford's site is good. #Also, get a peg winder. #I can't believe I spent all those years without one. #They are advertised on the Cafe often, and are well worth the money.

Mark
Very well said, Mark. Thank you.

Caring for your instrument is all part of being a musician.

There was an interesting story told at the Mandolin Symposium about an English gentleman who wound his own strings. It took him 8 hours to make a set of strings. Talk about devotion to your instrument!

Peg winders aren't for everybody, though. Many F style mandolin pegheads have unequal lengths of tuning peg shafts sticking out. When peg winders are not-too-carefully applied to shorter tuners you can damage the side of the peghead, or even snap a tuner shaft, too. My mandolin has a battle wound from a luthier who obviously used a winder poorly. Just thought I'd share.

Joy to all,
Ken

[John Zimm]

I am not bad at restringing ever since I read the little explanation at the back of Jack Tottle's book. That said, I hardly ever change strings-maybe twice a year if I'm lucky. I don't like the sound of new strings as much as old ones. With my guitars, once I see a good amount of rust or corrosion I will change them, and not a minute before.

-John.

[RobP]

Ok.. I'll fess up -- I pay to have it done. With family responsibilites (we home school our 8 and 10 yr olds and we also have a 7-month old in the house) I am lucky if I even get to play every day, and I do not want to spend a single second of that precious practice time messing with strings.

Some day I will do it myself, but for now its $10 well spent.

Cheers,

Rob

[G'DAE]

I tried Frank Fords method, worked great! Leaves you with a feeling of pride to accomplish such a neat looking job that you know won't slip. Don't know why you need a winder for only 1 1/2 wraps, though. Suppose you do.... This is something I learned from another post here; Use normal Guitar winder, cut an eraser to fit inside, then "V" the eraser to fit. Should work on multiple size heads. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[straight-a]

I enjoy restringing any instrument. #I get a blanket and put it across the patio table and set outside, put on some music and go to work. #I have taken measurements of all of my instruments so there's no guess work in winding. I find it relaxing but I've been told I'm strange that way http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[brewmaster]

I agree with the ZEN approach. I'm not fast nor am I always excited about changing my strings, but I'm starting to see that changing strings is an opportunity to inspect, clean, adjust and admire my instrument. Time is not of any consequence in this respect. I use this moment to pay my respects to the artistry that went into making my instrument and realize that the sound I appreciate from my instrument requires a bit of input on my part in making it happen.

I need a beer!

[pickles]

Well, RobP, we need to start a forum for homeschooling mandolin players!

Another advantage to restringing... while my mandolin is all half-unstrung, the job interrupted by children's small emergencies, my poor, neglected octave mandolin gets a little more attention.

[Emmiemando]

THanks, ya'll for the input. I'll havet o check out that Frets.com website. Seems pretty popular!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jasona]

Just finished restringing my Ratcliff--she is singing very sweetly now! I only took three wire jabs, so there was very little blood shed this time. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Take a good look at this photo.......That's how it oughta look!

Nugget #@ Mass Street (http://www.massstreetmusic.com/show_indv.php?item=02106&img=7)

Where as the photo below is of the headstock of a mandolin just returned to me by an "expert"..........and this is with the bridge off!

And folks are asking me why I'm getting out of the business.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Here.......take another look.....

Here is my Phoenix......

[jasona]

ROFLMAO!!! Is the previous owner aware that surplus string can be cut off, do you think? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Adare_Steve]

Do it the right way, and it'll get easier and faster (as with all things http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

This link has been posted on other threads - but it's an excellent website and worth a look.
Mandolin Re-Stringing Guide (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring1.html)

Steve

[Yonkle]

Yes, If you do it right, it's easy. I like changing strings, just did! Heres how it looks. JD

[mcashion]

Okay, here is a legitimate use for a capo. Hook you string on at the tailpiece, pull it up to about the 7th or 8th fret and put on a capo. That holds the string taut on the tailpiece while you fool around with the pliers, getting the length right and winding it up. No more flying around and sticking yourself. Repeat for each string. Piece of cake. Besides, when someone catches you with a capo in your case, you have an alibi.

[Lee]

Great idea Marie; I'll try it tonight if I can find my capo.
Can anyone beat Scotti's ten minutes? (Does anyone believe him?)

[TommyK]

Take a good look at this photo.......That's how it oughta look!

Nugget #@ Mass Street (http://www.massstreetmusic.com/show_indv.php?item=02106&img=7)

Where as the photo below is of the headstock of a mandolin just returned to me by an "expert"..........and this is with the bridge off!
What did he trim the strings with .... channel locks?
You say the bridge is off. We can only assume he didn't know how many turns to wind the strings around it.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Per Web stirs dicshunary
EXPERT n. (eks 'SPERT)
EX = Has been
SPERT = Drip under Pressure.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

We always ship Phoenix's with the bridge off #The buyer had restrung it to "evaluate" it.....so to bring it up to pitch that sucker would of had even more string on the posts..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mrbook]

A few years ago, I read an interview with B.B. King, who said he winds ALL of the string around the post so he has extra length to tie a string together if it breaks above the nut - a holdover from the early, lean years. I have actually done that once or twice myself (not in about 30 years), but you don't usually need all the extra length.

[grandmainger]

I like stringing because I like the weird sound when I wind up the string and it goes through several discordant octaves. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[mancmando]

I don't mind stringing as a concept, and am happy to change string on my guitar, I also enjoy the nice clean sound after having put new strings on (mando or guitar), but my mandolin - much as I love it - has got a tailpiece that makes it really slow and fiddly to change strings, so I agree that changing strings is a right pain http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif .

Not sure what the tailpiece is called, is gold coloured (I think is goldplated) and the strings thread thru it (the mando is a lebeda). Anyhow, any tips would be appreciated...

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[mandroid]

I stick a couple fingers under the one getting replaced a trifle of tension pulling up,(both ends) and winding the right amount of extra string gets measured at the same time.
Side benefit of MAS, dont like the old strings on one, play the other one.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Bamamike]

I like stringing, even at my brand new mandolin (o.k. sorry, it is a Johnson, but it needed new, better strings) #also 12mm lowering of the bridge and widening of the neck for the lower strings, now it sounds pretty good for a cheap model. But I can tell, new strings can be done in a snap, the backside is, that it takes about a week or so until they are settled. Then they need tuning once a week.

[brandon]

does anyone else leave all the strings on and replace them one at a time so that the bridge stays in place?

[Jack Roberts]

It's easy and fast to do every other string. Makes it quick to tune up, because you always have one string in each course that is (nearly) in tune.

Setting the brigde height and location is part of the fun, but I find I usually take over 2 hours every time I start messing with that.

[jasona]

One string at a time...my last change only took half an hour--and NO blood this time!

[acousticphd]

I usually remove and replace two at a time (ie, one string pair), moving from the inside toward the outside. Then the long uncut string ends don't get in your way as you progress, and you can do the cutting at the end when you're done with the set. I actually think brand new strings (phosphor bronze, though), or maybe after just a few minutes of playing, sound best. Periodically I remove them all to clean the fingerboard or adjust the bridge, but always marking the original position of the bridge feet on a couple small pieces of masking tape on the top.

I once knew a fellow picker - if you read this site, Ken, I'm remembering this with fondness - who always wound the entire length of extra string around the post. If he broke a string near the bridge, which usually happened, he would unwind string and reattach it. Though to be fair, this was usually with his guitar. His record as far as I know was 3 string repairs in one jam.

[Steve Farling]

I like changing strings! Ever since I found the fretnotguitarrepair.com web sight. It gets faster every time I change a set. I use a cordless screwdriver and I kinda take it slow, so as to not over wind any strings. I've been using the Gibson Bill Monroe signature strings and they sound pretty good right away, but even better the next day. The websight I just mentioned and the frets.com are a real wealth of information that every mando player should study completely. I've gotten a much greater understanding of my instrument, and some great insight on what to look for as far as finding a good Luthier. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[peterleyenaar]

I don't mind restringing, in fact I look forward to the clear sound of new strings after they have been played a for bit.
Restringing usually takes me about 15 minutes and I actually enjoy it , clean the mando at the same time, kinda like taking a shower and putting on a pair of clean washed jeans and T-shirt, feels good after the jeans gone to their comfortable shape.

Been using Newtone strings for the last year or so, great tone, or at least a tone that I have really gotten used to, now I am looking for other strings, the Newtones although really nice to play , are too hard to work with:
I find the loops to large, they don't fit the gibson tail pieces, way to large. on #monteleone tailpieces they flip off as you are stringing up , and unless you have 3 hands or a gob of chewing gum, it makes the job hard.
What really annoys me, is that when you have the E strings strung up and tune #up, the winding at the loop end comes undone and you start all over again with the E strings fearful that they might not hold as you now have canabalized all the e strings from other packages and a trip into town an back takes me 1.5 to 2 hrs.

Send this Newtone feller a few emails, with suggestions( having taken a blacksmithing and machining course in my youthfull days working on motorcycles, I am not unfamiliar as to what can be done with metal or strings ) one reply offering another set of string, which I declined as I hoped he would work out the problems that others have also experienced,no reply to my second e-mail with the suggestions (go to a music store and look at the tail pieces of mandolins, pretty simple, huh ?)
Anyway, too much messing with Newtone or Newtone strings, any suggestions for strings that sound similar to Newtones ?

[acousticphd]

Just curious, to 8Stringpete and others who prefer a particular brand/style of strings. To your ears, do the plain steel strings of your favorites actually sound different/better than other makes, or is it just the tone of the wound 3rd and 4th strings? I detect no difference, and often buy extra generic Es and As.

[peterleyenaar]

Jeff , You are probably correct, that there isn't a great deal of difference between the various brands in Es and As , I just never thought about it,
I guess I was thinking in terms of a balanced set of strings

[Lee]

Wow, 8StringPete does a complete string change in 15-minutes?! That's less than two-minutes per string; plus he's got time left over for quick spit shine. I'm no klutz but I'd be hard pressed to remove eight strings in 15 minutes without poking my eye out or otherwise drawing blood. Can I buy the video?

[TommyK]

Wow, 8StringPete does a complete string change in 15-minutes?! That's less than two-minutes per string; plus he's got time left over for quick spit shine. #I'm no klutz but I'd be hard pressed to remove eight strings in 15 minutes without poking my eye out or otherwise drawing blood. Can I buy the video?
A: What do you think he's wipin' off when he does the spit shine?
B: Didn't he tell you? His other handle is Dead-eye!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Zed]

I use to hate the job also. Now i love it. How did that happen? I came across this method: String Change (http://www.glowingtubes.com/p/Acoustic_String_Change.htm) It's shown for guitar but just skip the top part. This literally changed my life. I can swap out a whole set in about 15 mins, used to take me nearly an hour. This method completely resolves the issue of the string coming off the tailpiece hook. 'Course you can use this for any stringed instrument as well.

Lean this, seriously. There ain't no better way.

[peterleyenaar]

Lee957, TommyK, No offence, but some people take forever to do anything at all, others are simply efficient.
My tools for restringing:peg winder,small needle nose plyers,small string cutter plyers, new strings, old clean t-shirt , dunlop guitar cleaner, paintbrush.
Methodology:mandolin on couch, so not to get marks on it,
start on the G , unwind a few twists , flip the string from the post , straighten the twisted end with the needle nose plyers, so as not to scratch the mandolin and slide it out of the tailpiece, about twenty seconds,
grab the new string, run through tailpiece, hook it on the tailpiece peg, run the other end trough the post, eyeball the slack you need for about 2 turns around the post,bring the end around and underneath, take the peg winder and start turning, positioning the string properly and pluck the other G string to bring the up to tension and then a little more as this string will stretch, cut the string close to the post , probably about 1 minute or so, ditto for all the other strings, now tune up proper, play a bit,clean the mando with your dunlop an old t-shirt(I use violin polish for my old Gibsons)use a long haired paintbrush to clean areas that are hard to reach, tune up again as the strings have stretched again and voila : new strings and a clean mandolin all in 15 minutes, maybe 20
if you have a coffee on the go and taking your time.

I hate to see yous guys string up a mile or so of fencing after pounding the posts;-)

[Lee]

I still want the video http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Moose]

"Without shedding of blood there is no real changing of strings" (Quote: the Moose)... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[duuuude]

Pete - I'm impressed, my mehtodology is usually as follows:

Sit on couch with mando. Open new string package, open new beer. Go out to garage to get wire cutters, stop for a quick smoke while I drink my beer and forget what I was doing to begin with as I begin sanding my callouses. Remember and return to the mando. Go back out to the garage to get forgotten wire cutters. Starting with the G strings, replace one at a time while imtermittently fighting the cat for the extra string left lying on the coffee table and returning to the garage two or three times to maintain proper nicotine and alcohol levels. Poke myself with an E string. Go to bathroom cabinet for bandaid since them little buggers never seem to quit bleeding. Finish up by banging on & manually stretching the new strings a few times. Back to the garage to replace wire cutters, smoke & drink. Finally back to the mando for one last tuneup and I'm home free. Estimated time: not really sure, forgot to start timing myself when I started, but never longer than a couple beers.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[peterleyenaar]

DUUUUDE,
I am even more impressed, sounds like you could make hanging a pleasurable experience, me , I just wanna play the darn thang:D

[withak]

The guitarist from the band Split Lip Rayfield breaks 3-5 strings per show, and he can replace and retune a string in time for his next solo in that same song. After a bad experience or two with a hook bending and breaking off a cheap mandolin tailpiece, I winced every time I saw him cranking a string up to tension as fast as he could.

[brandon]

ha...duuude, add a couple of beers and take away the cat, and that could be me.

[John Craton]

Talking about people who hate stringing ... get a load of the stringing job on this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3757002254&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW) puppy!