Is there a good, mandolin string winder?

[FrDNicholas]

After having a somewhat frustrating time changing strings, I began wondering: Is there a reliable, not too expensive string winder that fits any mandolin tuners? I have a Collings MT and my current string winder keeps slipping off. It initially fits on the tuner just fine, but as I start turning it, it eventually slides off. Can anyone recommend a solution? I would be most grateful.

[D C Blood]

Cimberland Acoustic in Hendersonville, Tn makes them...The Dude, in Maryville, Tn makes them...
Doug Edwards, Texas Hill Country, makes them. All these are Cafe regulars...

[JEStanek]

I have a TurboTune (http://www.guitarcenter.com/Dunlop-TurboTune-String-Winder-793275-i1130894.gc)that I use with a Black and Decker powered screw driver. I love it.

Jamie

[Paul Haley]

Unfortunately the Dunlop TurboTune String Winder appears to be extinct in the UK at least. :(

[JEStanek]

There are analogous products (http://www.google.com/search?q=mandolin+peg+winder+drill&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a). Paul Hostetter has a DIY one as well (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28668&highlight=Scotty).

Jamie

[claude.meyer]

I use this one for both mandolin and acoustic guitars:

The John Pearse® Li'l Nipper™ .............$12.95

That works well with the mando.

[MikeEdgerton]

Here's my favorite winder. I cut a section out of the middle of the Dunlop winder and superglued it back together. The famous Jop string winder.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32904&d=0

[woodwizard]

Here's my favorite winder. I cut a section out of the middle of the Dunlop winder and superglued it back together. The famous Jop string winder.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32904&d=0

That's pretty cool Mike! Gotta try that.
I got a Dudenbostel hand made one out of wood that works perfectly for the mandolin.

[John Flynn]

Unfortunately the Dunlop TurboTune String Winder appears to be extinct in the UK at least. :(
Another recommendation for the Dunlop TurboTune. It is so good that if I were in the UK, I would order one from the US despite the shipping and taxes. It is a little tight on Grover Deluxe tuner buttons, but still very useable. I am considering widening one of my TurboTunes out slightly with a file for my Grovers. It is perfect for Schallers and any other mandolin tuners. Four things I like about it: The outside of the "bit" part is round, so it does not knock against adjacent tuning buttons. It seems to center itself on the button really well. The bit is removable and fits in a drill or electric screwdriver. It has multi-faceted button slots in the bit, so you can use it on guitars, basses and mandolins. My only real complaint is that it does not work on oval banjo tuner buttons. They are just too wide for any of the slot facets.

[Doug Edwards]

I do not make any yet. I do like using the power winders like planet waves puts out.

It attaches to a cordless drill. It's like having a third hand and is quick.

[eightstringsaweek]

I do not make any yet. I do like using the power winders like planet waves puts out.
It attaches to a cordless drill. It's like having a third hand and is quick.

I changed how I change strings years ago and for many hundreds of string changes have never needed a winder.
It's easy, on stage or in your living room:
1) Attach new string at tailpiece
2) Pull tight over bridge and nut
3) Wrap once or a few times around the tuner post (once for low strings, more for high).
4) Put end of string through hole in tuner post so that the windings you made in 3) are below the hole, pull tight, and bend the the string on the other side of the hole.
5) Clip end, tune up, play.

Quick, easy, no string slippage, no winder marring the side of the peghead, and you control the number of turns of the string on the post. Try it once and I don't think you'll go back to the winder way.

[Martin]

You might try my friend Scott, I don't know if he's stiil making these


http://www.bluegrasspilots.com/

[Ben Milne]

If you can't find a Dunlop Turbo tune, Try Dean Markley. same vibe attatching to an elec. screwdriver.

[TNT]

I have had a buch and I like the one I bought from Steve Smith (Cumberland Accostics) at SPBGMA last year. Possibly the best $20 I spent in Nashville that trip! Thanks Steve!! :mandosmiley:

[Ben Milne]

does anybody have experience with the Ernie Ball Power Peg (http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PPSW.htm) and mandolin? I would think this would take up a little less room than my Metabo powered turbo-tune.

[Ivan Kelsall]

The Dunlop 'Turbotune' is the best string winder i've found for a Mandolin.The part that holds the tuner buttons, is long enough to be well clear of the adjacent buttons while winding.
I bought mine from Strings Direct in the UK. They told me this morning that DUNLOP UK has ceased importing them.
If anybody on here knows of a US store that sells them,please tell us. At the standard sales price in the US,there should be no duty or tax to pay on coming into the UK.
If in doubt,there's always the 'main man' to contact :-
customerservice@jimdunlop.com
Ivan

[Ray(T)]

I bought a Dunlop Turbo Tune in the UK from ABC Music - Benfleet (via Amazon UK) back in November although its no longer listed on their site. Its OK but doesn't fit the buttons that well on my National (allegedly Gotoh). As its still snowing outside, I'm just about to try it on a set of Waverleys - I'll post back if its any better.
Ray

[Malcolm G.]

I changed how I change strings years ago and for many hundreds of string changes have never needed a winder.
It's easy, on stage or in your living room:
1) Attach new string at tailpiece
2) Pull tight over bridge and nut
3) Wrap once or a few times around the tuner post (once for low strings, more for high).
4) Put end of string through hole in tuner post so that the windings you made in 3) are below the hole, pull tight, and bend the the string on the other side of the hole.
5) Clip end, tune up, play.

Quick, easy, no string slippage, no winder marring the side of the peghead, and you control the number of turns of the string on the post. Try it once and I don't think you'll go back to the winder way.

Neat!

It makes so much sense.

I gotta try that on my guitars and mandos.

Thanks

:)

[Douglas McMullin]

I have never understood the need for a sting winder. I use the "locking" method as described on the Frets.com (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring3.html) site, and I never have more than two full wraps around each post. In the few seconds it would take me to pickup a winder and start winding, I have the string almost up to tension. The only time I have found a slight benefit to using a winder is with nylon strings where it takes quite a few wraps to get the string to tension, but even then the advantage seems negligible in terms of time saved.

[AlanN]

I'm with you. I turn enough string to go over the kinked part, maybe 1/2 to 1 turn after that, a winder seems unnecessary. If I were stringing a bunch of mandolins often (like in a store), maybe it would come in handy.

Having said that, a cafe buddy made me a homegrown one which is the best I have seen. To answer the OP, Lynn's is a good one. And I have a plastic thingie, which is made for mandolin, has a small business end. Don't use it. If anyone wants it, PM me, maybe we can trade.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Purely for the info. - Apparently,the Dunlop Turbo Tune is no longer imported into the UK.I was told this by a previous retailer of the TT in the UK, from whom i bought my second one.
I've e-mailed Jim Dunlop (or rather his company) in order to find out why this has happened.
I've also asked for a listing of US retailers from whom we can buy a TT if we require to do so.
I'll post their reply on here if it's got something to say worth knowing,
Ivan

[pops1]

I changed how I change strings years ago and for many hundreds of string changes have never needed a winder.
It's easy, on stage or in your living room:
1) Attach new string at tailpiece
2) Pull tight over bridge and nut
3) Wrap once or a few times around the tuner post (once for low strings, more for high).
4) Put end of string through hole in tuner post so that the windings you made in 3) are below the hole, pull tight, and bend the the string on the other side of the hole.
5) Clip end, tune up, play.

Quick, easy, no string slippage, no winder marring the side of the peghead, and you control the number of turns of the string on the post. Try it once and I don't think you'll go back to the winder way.

I have done it this way for decades too and this is the only way for me, fast and easy.

[Ray(T)]

I have used a string winder for decades and therefore have no need to use the locking technique ! - its really "horses for courses". The main reason I bought the Dunlop was because it had a removable head and could be attached to an electric screwdriver to spin the tuners whilst lubricating them. The plastic one I bought in the 70's is perfectly adequate for string changing.

For those who would like to know, the Dunlop is a good fit for Waverleys, Schallers and 'teens Gibsons.
Ray

[Ivan Kelsall]

I received a reply from Jim Dunlop's outfit,& currently they deal with 3 stores in the UK :-
Strings & Things Ltd.
John Hornby Skewes & Company
P & R Howard Anybody wishing to enquire re.the Dunlop products (& i'm assuming that the TurboTune is amongst them !),can contact 'either/all' these outlets,
Ivan~:>

[Rob Gerety]

I have never understood the need for a sting winder. I use the "locking" method as described on the Frets.com (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring3.html) site, and I never have more than two full wraps around each post. In the few seconds it would take me to pickup a winder and start winding, I have the string almost up to tension.

I felt the same way until just recently when I watched a luthier change a set of strings. He was fast. He used a winder chucked in an electric screwdriver to take the old strings off by loosening all the strings completely then cutting them off. Very fast. He did not use it to put the new strings on.

I use the frets.com method too but I am thinking of putting more wraps on the posts of the tuners on my teens A4. The posts are quite tall with the hole near the very top and I'm thinking that the tuners might possibly work a little better if the string is wound down lower on the post so that there isn't as much leverage on the post pulling it against the ferrule. Not sure if that makes any sense from a physics standpoint. Just a though - I have not tried it yet.

[Ray(T)]

.....and finally. Its been snowing all day so I've been catching up on some instrument maintenance. I'm now down to the guitars and find that the Dunlop winder doesn't fit Grover " Rotomatics" - Shame on them!!!
Ray

[Paul Kotapish]

I have one cut down from a guitar winder--as per Mike E's and Paul H's examples above--and it's been working great on A-style and F-style pegs for decades now. I have one of the Planet Waves winder/cutter devices, but it just doesn't work as well as the DIY one. I keep a cheap set of diagonal cutters or a small needle-nose with a cutting edges in the pick box, too.

[Jim MacDaniel]

I have never understood the need for a sting winder. I use the "locking" method as described on the Frets.com (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring3.html) site, and I never have more than two full wraps around each post...

Me too, and I've never bothered with a string-winder ever since adopting this approach -- although to Rob's point, I could see one coming in handy for unstringing an instrument with several more wraps around the tuner posts.

[mandroid]

James Tailpiece and CA wooden crank winder made a broken string replacement into a brief job,
I think it took less than a minute , maybe 2 minutes if you include getting the spare string out of the case.

[D C Blood]

My problem with the method of locking the strings under the loops or doubling them back around, is the extreme difficulty of removing them...always resulting in bloody fingertips...:crying:

[Ivan Kelsall]

Quote - "is the extreme difficulty of removing them..." That's why i 'd never use that method. The only time i had a Mandolin strung up like that,was when i first got my Weber Beartooth.It had heavy gauge strings on it which i wanted off, & it took me ages with a pair of snip & pliers to remove them,
Ivan

[mandroid]

The backwinding over itself technique, is not so difficult to remove,

in comparison to the run the string thru the hole in the capstan twice method.

But, having a pair of pliers , needle-nose, small ones , does save on puncture wounds ..

Keep your Tetanus boosters up to date, though.. ~o)

[Paul Kotapish]

In general, I find the winders are most handy for removing strings, but if you are facile with them they do speed up the stringing-up process, too. A typical set change takes me five or six minutes for the whole job. But then who the heck needs to be in such a hurry, anyway?

[Dr. Jazz]

My vote is the Dunlop Turbo tune. Fits EVERYTHING. And it can be disassembled to fit an electric screwdriver. hard to find, though.

[pops1]

I use the frets.com method too but I am thinking of putting more wraps on the posts of the tuners on my teens A4. The posts are quite tall with the hole near the very top and I'm thinking that the tuners might possibly work a little better if the string is wound down lower on the post so that there isn't as much leverage on the post pulling it against the ferrule. Not sure if that makes any sense from a physics standpoint. Just a though - I have not tried it yet.

It does make a difference. If the gear isn't pulled into the worm so hard then the tuner will turn easier.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Quote from Dr Jazz :-"My vote is the Dunlop Turbo tune...hard to find, though".
If you're having trouble finding a dealer in the US / Canada etc.,e-mail Jim Dunlop's crew direct as i did for the UK. I received a prompt & courteous reply that told me what i needed to know.In fact the more folk who do e-mail them the better.It might just make them realise that there's a market for the Turbo Tune that they need to address,
Ivan

[Malcolm G.]

I'll probably only use it to remove strings, as I'll use the quick wrap installation method described earlier, but I am now on the Bluegrasspilots' waiting list.
Darn thing's just too cute!

[Ray(T)]

"Dunlop Turbo tune. Fits EVERYTHING."; Dr Jazz shouts. He hasn't tried one on Rotomatics.

[Coffeecup]

The need to fit one to an electric screwdriver puzzles me. Just how many turns does one need on a peg?

[Ivan Kelsall]

Quote :- "The need to fit one to an electric screwdriver puzzles me" Me too,Coffeecup !.
Sounds like an interesting way to bust a lot of string without any effort.I suppose if you were re-stringing a lot of Electric Bass Guitars,maybe you could use that,but for a Mandolin.. ???,
Ivan:confused:

[Ray(T)]

An electric screwdriver? Not so bad once you get used to it and the main reason for buying the Dunlop. An electric screwdriver is useful for whizzing the tuners round whilst you lubricate them and great for removing strings. I also find that you can concentrate upon where the windings are going without having to think about one hand going round in circles.

My luthier uses one as did the bench load of technicians at a recent guitar show. They are, of course, new-fangled devices resulting from the improvement of battery technology which some people may wish to ignore just as some people still prefer vinyl records to CD's. I assume there would have been similar arguments when people started to prefer steel rather than gut strings!

[GTG]

I'm happy with the Cumberland Acoustics winder - got it through Elderly; no idea if they still have it. I use it primarily for taking strings off, just a few quick spins and it's off.

[300win]

It is easy to make one. I made one out of walnut, took about 1 1/2 hours.

[Ben Milne]

At this point i would like to make everybody aware of the following
Thread on the same subject (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28668&highlight=Scotty)

in which the following opinions are cast.



I've got a few made for the small F5 style ends but my favorite has to be my Dudenbostel hand carved highly select curly maple,tap tuned and triple dipped in hand rubbed cremona finish with spirit varnish cured for 3 months. Grant you it weren't cheap but would expect it to be?


Tom--I jumped on a couple of those when they were available, too.....they're wonderful. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif


I own the 23 Loar signed that Dudenbostel blueprinted for his. I think Lynn nailed it.


about wraps thing up then? yes?
awaiting Martin come up with with a vintage '57 E-winder

[wsugai]

I think the title of this inquiry should be, "Is there a good, inexpensive mandolin string winder?"

I just bought one from Wildwood and it's very nice, but I think $20 + PPI is just a tad high. Drop that down to around $15 and I would be more comfortable, but if you can get $20, why not?

[Paul Haley]

does anybody have experience with the Ernie Ball Power Peg (http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PPSW.htm) and mandolin? I would think this would take up a little less room than my Metabo powered turbo-tune.

Doesn't work with my F-Style Summit. The slots for the tuner buttons are too large. Great for guitars though.

[Marni Sorrick]

Planet Waves has a string winder with an "X" shaped-head on the business end of the winder; one slot fits mando tuners well, and the whole business is small enough to spin without whacking the neighboring tuner buttons. Also has a cutter on the other end to cut the wire. I like it.

[mandoshane]

i have the planet waves one. i like it better than the dunlop ones. screw never comes un done, works niceley on guitar or mando. solid for plastic. check em, i found this accidentally, and have used it for years.