Primal fear of changing strings...

[Ivan Kelsall]

Why the need to use a Capo ?. Push the end through the tuner post & start to wind on - 5 seconds & it's done !. Using a Capo,you've got to pull the string tight to keep the loop on the string pin while you put the Capo on. If you use a piece of Blue-Tack - it's done, & you don't have to fiddle with a Capo.

As for the James tailpiece on my Ellis,it'll keep the G & D strings on,but the A & E strings still come off & that's with new 'O' rings 8 months or so ago. Blue-tack's the answer - it never fails.

If you fit the strings the way i do it,removing them is a cinch. As soon as the strings are loose enough to pull over the tuner post,they come off like unwinding a ball of string,
Ivan

[Stompbox]

What is blue tack?

[Paul Busman]

I use the method described by Paul on all my instruments - pull the string tight, give it a few wraps around the peg and then through the hole. It can be a bit fiddly to get the wraps to stay put while you thread the hole, but it's not bad.

I wrap with my left hand and hold the windings in place with my right index fingernail, keeping them below the hole in the post.

[Ivan Kelsall]

What is Blu(e) -Tack - read all about it :-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-Tack
Ivan

[Bertram Henze]

It's not about keeping the loops in place. It's about tuning the E strings up to pitch without protection goggles...

[bjewell]

Here is the phlebotomist in question. Gotta click on the tiny picture for a slightly better view. Varnish + Red Spruce + Cumberland makes for a sweet KM1000...

[mandroid]

Hire the work out? have some one do the job... its like having roadies backstage..

[Ivan Kelsall]

Bertram - Even after 11 years i still tune the 'E' strings up very,very carefully,expecting one of them to snap. It hasn't happened yet,much to my amazement.

bjewell - That's a really nice looking mandolin & i hope it sounds as good as it looks,
Ivan

[midwinterspring]

I like to use Brad Laird's method:



This method really works well for me.

This, plus a bottle of beer. Hasn't failed me yet.

[Mandoplumb]

I use Brad's method, have for years. If you put the string through the hole in the peg first then hook on tailpiece, pull slack and proceed as brad directed the string is easily kept on tailpiece, there is no need for capo, tape or blue tack.