Re: Terrified of changing strings
Don’t be scared of changing your strings.
I really isn’t that hard or time consuming when you get the hang of it.
If you play music a lot you will change your strings fairly often.
Plus, the benefits of tone and feel from new strings, once they settle in, are worth it.
I must say that when I got my Northfield, with a James tailpiece installed, changing string became very easy.
The James let’s you hook a string at the tailpiece and then close the lid, so that it holds the string on the hook while you work.
It takes 3/4 of the frustration and complication out of string changes.
As for breaking strings, it happens sometimes.
Maybe there was a defect in that one string, or since it broke at the loop you might have a sharp edge in the hook.
I just restrung my mandolin and it was the first time I broke a string on initial tuneup.
I broke an E.
I always buy several packs of strings at a time so this is not a problem.
I just canabalize another pack of strings.
So it is not a total waste, I will replace the bass strings with the extras as soon as they loose sparkle.
The trebles last longer anyway.
It is also a good idea to be sure that everything is in the correct slots at the nut and bridge while you tune up to pitch.
Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)
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