Hazards of our trade

[allenhopkins]

Main hazard, to me, is the fifth string on a five-string banjo, 'cause you're always fingering around the fifth fret and if there's a li'l string end sticking out, it can get you during playing. I don't generally get stuck during string changes; I try to remember to crimp the string end protruding from the tuning peg, or at least to bend it down as close to the headstock as possible.

I see people with other avocations, from automobile restoration to woodworking, and what often happens to their hands -- and I'm glad just to be playing stringed instruments.

[Randi Gormley]

Yeah, I meant to ask if it was the "A" string that did it. tricky things.

[bratsche]

Am I doing something wrong? I don't recall every enduring a bloodletting while changing strings (and, unfortunately, I have to change strings way too often).

No, you're obviously doing it right! Maybe you should be teaching string change lessons to this hapless lot.

bratsche

[Al Trujillo]

And I thought this thread was about somebody's wife catching them sneaking a new mandolin in the house. (head slap).

[Mike Stewart]

Am I doing something wrong? I don't recall every enduring a bloodletting while changing strings

Yeah, I don't get it, either. I'm guessing some folks don't trim as they go, or just haphazardly jam their hands into the string ends, dunno. I'm sure I've poked myself, but not so often that I consider it a part of changing strings. Yes, if I knew what my secret was, I'd document it for the benefit of others.

[Gutbucket]

Buy you a beer if you can guess what I just finished doing!

Trolling for mosquitoes ?

[farmerjones]

This whole thread has made me wince.

if I knew what the secret was, I'd document it for the benefit of others.

1. I use a magnifying headset like a jeweler.
2. I'm very mindful of where the hole is in the tune peg.

My piercings have come from, wind, hold (with finger tip) wind, hold, wind, poke string through and OWCH!

If I'm holding the subsequent wraps with my finger-tip beside and not in line with the hole, I don't drive the string through my finger.