You'll laugh - then shake your head and roll your eyes ...

[AndyPanda]

Yeah - I know this is stoopid ... but if you ever break an E string in the non-speaking length (or like I did tonight, both of them) and don't have a spare handy (actually I do have spares - I just wanted to see if I could do it).

This is a knot I learned from a piano tuner and it will hold the tension if done smoothly like this.

These .011 are both tuned up to pitch and holding beautifully (er, uglyly) - regardless of how cheesy it looks

[pops1]

A simple overhand knot tied in each string around the other will hold most likely longer than the old string will. I have used this in an emergency for decades. I am a knot guy tho.

[HonketyHank]

I am amazed.

[Jess L.]

I've done that a couple times many years ago, works good, can't remember what kind of knot I used though.

[AndyPanda]

For larger strings, you can get away with different knots - but the E strings are so tiny and have so much tension they will usually snap right at the knot when you try to tune them up. That's why I tried this piano string splice - but I had to layer two pairs of reading glasses in order to see what I was doing.

This is what the actual knot looks like - it's just a loop on each half that is free to slide along the length of the other half. But when you put tension on it the two loops are pulled together in a way that locks it so it cannot slip - and the bends are all very smooth.

[Astro]

That is an impressive accomplishment. BUT

By the time I could tie a knot in an E string, the gig would be over.

...And I'd be bleeding all over my mandolin.

...And probably have a corneal abrasion.

...And probably be kicked out of the pub for cursing.

[Denny Gies]

Now that's creative. Thanks.

[CES]

Very cool, but I think I'm with Astro on this one

[Steve Ostrander]

That's gotta hurt when you fret on that knot and bleed all over the FB. One thing about the mandolin, every string has a built-in spare...

[pops1]

That is also a very strong knot for joining two ropes or string of the same diameter.

[JeffD]

That is also a very strong knot for joining two ropes or string of the same diameter.

I'm going to look that one up. I have an old riggers handbook that discusses knots in wire and cable. Knots are pretty cool, what works in string won't necessarily work in monofilament, much less steel, but then again just might.

[pops1]

I'm going to look that one up. I have an old riggers handbook that discusses knots in wire and cable. Knots are pretty cool, what works in string won't necessarily work in monofilament, much less steel, but then again just might.

It has a name, but i don't remember. there is another knot I use for tying a hook on monofilament that is nearly as simple, and is very strong. The strength in knots is that they don't cut themselves when stressed. For instance we all learned a bowline is a loop that won't slip and was showed to put it around someone to lift them, everything I have read says it should not be used for that purpose and would be dangerous.

[bradlaird]

I only know the name to be "The Piano Tuners Knot". I have been tuning pianos for years and I still sometimes use that knot. Not often, but it is handy when an old bass string breaks. You can tie on a leader and have them up and running pretty quick. That knot is TOUGH to tie with those really thick bass string cores. And, in some ways, the knot is preferable because if you slap a brand new string on next to those well-aged 90 year old neighbors, the new string will be insanely bright in tone by comparison.

I carry a pre-tied piano tuners knot in my tuning kit (cut from an old piano) to remind me how to tie it if and when I need to. Go look in your old piano and see if you can find one. It will be near the tuning pins.

[Polecat]

I know it as a Zeppelin Bend, but it may have other names. Tying it on an E-string is quite an achievement; I'm impressed.

[Mike Scott]

It has a name, but i don't remember. there is another knot I use for tying a hook on monofilament that is nearly as simple, and is very strong. The strength in knots is that they don't cut themselves when stressed. For instance we all learned a bowline is a loop that won't slip and was showed to put it around someone to lift them, everything I have read says it should not be used for that purpose and would be dangerous.

I think it is called a surgeon knot or double surgeon knot. Ever try a blood knot?

[pops1]

I think it is called a surgeon knot or double surgeon knot. Ever try a blood knot?

At one time I could do a monkeys fist, still have one I tied decades ago. Guess I keep it to remind myself I did it.

[Jim Garber]

I think I only broke a mandolin string at a gig once when I didn't have a spare and I borrowed a banjo string from my banjo player.

[Astro]

I think I only broke a mandolin string at a gig once when I didn't have a spare and I borrowed a banjo string from my banjo player.

Did he notice ?

Sometimes you can distract them long enough to get a string off by turning on reruns of Laverne and Shirley or Tom and Jerry ...Dont use Barney because they try to sing along and pick and you'll never get the string off once their fingers get moving.

But if you're out at a gig with no TV, you can just tell them that their string is out of tune but you're happy to offer to tune it up for them on your mando and then you'll be sure to give it back to them once its in tune. You'll need to keep it on for the night so it will set up and stick in tune for them...

[HonketyHank]

ooooo. that smarts.

[bratsche]

I laughed when I saw the picture in the first post, and thought "I'd do something like that!"

Next I realized it was E strings. Then, I shook my head and rolled my eyes.

bratsche