First String Change On My First Mandolin

[drbluegrass]

I'm changing strings for the first time on my Collings MT-2A mandolin. Just thought I might ask if there is anything I should know. I'm a long time guitar player but have never changed strings on a mandolin. Can you use a guitar string winder or should I just use my fingers? Thanks for any other advice.


Tom

[Malcolm G.]

Use the winder if it fits the mandolin's tuner buttons.
As on your guitar, change the strings one at a time to keep the neck from relaxing (and you from endless tuning).
If you have a capo, use it to keep some tension on the new string after you've attached the loop - this should keep the loop from slipping off while you fuss with the other end

Enjoy the experience.

[greg_tsam]

www.frets.com - A wealth of information.

[Paul Busman]

Your bridge is just sitting there, held in place by string pressure. If you're planning on changing all strings at once you might want to mark the bridge position with blue painter's masking tape. I think most people change one string or a pair at a time.

[mommythrice]

If you have a capo, use it to keep some tension on the new string after you've attached the loop - this should keep the loop from slipping off while you fuss with the other end

What a great idea!

[EdHanrahan]

I hope this doesn't sound snide but... If a Collings was my first exposure to the wonders & possible frustrations of a floating bridge, held in place by string pressure only, I'd be tempted to spring for a beater, or say a $50 Rover (costs less than a moderate mistake on the Collings), and do all my experimenting there first.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-...ELAID=26044793

Then read up in Frets.com on setting the intonation (getting the bridge in the right position) that we all eventually need to know anyway (because the bridge WILL get out of position). After that, all string-change related issues are easily handled.

At worst, you become the master of your still-pristine Collings. At best, you also end up with a playable beater because we'll all need one anyway!

[OldSausage]

Whatever you do, don't press the red button!

[drbluegrass]

Whatever you do, don't press the red button!

Doh!!!


Tom

[terzinator]

yep, change strings one course at a time so you don't upset the bridge/intonation. I start with the G then D, then flip it around and do E then A...

I run the string, plain-end first, all the way through the tailpiece, and seat the loop on the little hook...

then I run the end through the tuner post -- I measure two posts past for the wound strings, three posts past for the trebles.

With that amount of slack, I send the first wind over the string poking out, and then the subsequent winds under it. (I don't lock or tie or whatever, and I've never had slippage issues.)

I have one of those Ernie Ball battery powered winders (love it). So you start to wind the string and just keep an eye on the tailpiece, and make sure the loop stays hooked.

Get it up so there's tension, and then cut the excess off the tuner post.

Repeat 7 times.

I'm sure there are a hundred YouTube vids out there!

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

Make sure there aren't any children or anyone with "sensitive" ears around. Have a cold beer on standby.

[drbluegrass]

Make sure there aren't any children or anyone with "sensitive" ears around. Have a cold beer on standby.

Ha, ha!! I know exactly what you mean. I have occasional "utterances" when I poke my fingers with string ends whilst stringing my guitars.


Tom

[blacktoe]

This is some great advice. I am coming up on my own first time change. Coming from the guitar world, I could change all strings at the same time and not worry about the bridge and never thought of using a capo like that.

[Earl Gamage]

If you don't use a capo to hold the strings, blue tape will work. Push the tape down onto the loops to hold them on the post. No need for a string winder, you don't need all those loops on the tuning post.

[Ivan Kelsall]

An even more simple way of keeping the string loops on the pins,is to use a small piece of Blu Tack. Fit the loop onto the pin & stick a piece of Blu Tack over it to keep it there.You don't even have to mess around with a capo,
Ivan

[Charley wild]

And....if you complete the string change with no blood flowing it's a success!

[John McCoy]

Also, bear in mind that mandolin strings pull much higher tension than guitar strings and--particularly on the E strings--are more inclined to break when being pulled up to pitch. So, especially on the high-pitched strings, be sure to

• bring them up to pitch slowly,
• don't tune them too much above pitch, and
• (seriously) turn the instrument away from your face--and away from other people/pets, and anything that might be damaged by a breaking string (e.g., TV)--for the final few turns on the high strings.
• (Some people advocate wearing eye protection like this guy )

OH, and BTW, when you finally get that last string perfectly in tune, all the others will probably be flat; that's just the nature of the beast. The good news is that that's a temporary condition you'll correct fairly quickly.

== John ==

[mommythrice]

Have a cold beer on standby.

And plenty of band-aids.

[Snicky58]

After reading this thread, I think I'm gonna keep paying the guitar shop $20 to change my strings indefinitely.

[Paul Busman]

After reading this thread, I think I'm gonna keep paying the guitar shop $20 to change my strings indefinitely.

Don't do that!! Changing strings is easy. What happens if you just break one E string? Gonna go to the store for them to change it?This is basic instrument maintenance and you should definitely learn how to do it.
Here's the easy way to do it, no string winder or guessing how much slack to leave. I do one string at a time, doesn't matter in what order.
Put the new string onto the tailpiece. Keeping it snug with a bit of hand tension bring it up over the bridge and nut. Here's the different part: do NOT put the string through the tuner post yet. Instead, keeping the tension on the string, wind it around the post several times and THEN put it through the hole. You'll need 2-3 turns for the wound strings, 3-5 for the plain ones. Now you can tune the string up to pitch without a lot of slack string to take up. It's easy and fast with no tape, capo, Blu-tack or anything else needed.

[WmBuoymaster]

Did my first let night and ended up using 1 old E string. Lol. Ping!

[gtani7]

I use a Dunlop plastic string winder but stuff paper napkin to take up the width in there so the smaller buttons on mandolins don't make the winder wobble and hit other buttons. You can buy mando specific winders.

I think everybody else nailed it, but don't use the winder on E strings, or tension them slowly.

While you're at it, you can lube the nut (Nut sauce) and bridge slots (grahite)and clean fretboard if you think it needs them.

[Joey Anchors]

Don't have anything to add, save for having a string winder is a life saving for restringing a mandolin.

I love this forum.. HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!

[JeffD]

And....if you complete the string change with no blood flowing it's a success!

I am diabetic. Whenever I change strings I keep my blood glucose meter and test strips handy. Never waste a blood letting.

[NursingDaBlues]

I am diabetic. Whenever I change strings I keep my blood glucose meter and test strips handy. Never waste a blood letting.

That is pure unadulterated wisdom!

[jasona]

And....if you complete the string change with no blood flowing it's a success!

I came here to ask how much blood was lost