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Thread: Stringwinder's for mando

  1. #1

    Default Stringwinder's for mando

    I know they make them but i've never come across anyone who had one, so i
    designed and made my own. My appitius mando is different because the two sides of the peg head are are not the same. In fact they are completely different. I had to make the slot that fits over the tuning peg very long and narrow.its at least 2 and 1/4 inches long and had to be narrow enough not to touch the other tuner's.it actually cost me about $40 to make one so i had my machinist friend make me 5 of them. I'm not trying to sell them just letting you know that there are better solutions out there. They work great. Do what you gotta do.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Photo?

  3. #3
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  4. #4

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Lyn Dudenbostel makes a really nice one as well. As close as most of us will come to owning one of his instruments.

    http://www.lynndudenbostel.com/

  5. #5

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Love my Dudenbostel winders. Got two years ago; one very curly maple and a beautiful rosewood example. They work great; don't hit the other buttons or peghead at all.

    My puppy(a long-haired dachshund) chewed up the maple one. I posted about it on the Cafe. Lynn musta read the post and offered to repair it for me; which he did free of charge. They should last many years; or,until I get a new pup.

    Frank Ford's string winder looks VERY cool. Makes me wish I needed another winder.

    The Alessi looks great too!

  6. #6

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Once I learned how to wind strings, I haven't needed a string winder. Straight through, back under towards the center of the instrument, straight up towards the outside of the instrument, then you have a kink where the string bites down on itself eliminating all but one loop. The rest is just details!

  7. #7

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    I'm a fan of Frank's Cranks. Got a full set for my birthday a couple years ago.


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  9. #8

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    D'Addario make a good one.

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
    2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
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  10. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    I love all the nicely made and machined winders from Frank, Lynn and all but I'm a DIY kind of guy with a saw, some CA and a few Jim Dunlop guitar winders laying around. Cut it and glued it then filled the inside with a little baking soda and CA so it wasn't as deep. I've been using it for years. I don't know if it would work with the different colored winders from Dunlop but it works on the white ones.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  12. #10

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Mike, I thought I was the only one who'd ever done that until I saw your photo in another thread. I'll try to remember to get a photo of mine, though it looks much like yours. I cut a section out then "welded" the pieces back together using acetone to melt the mating surfaces. Then I shortened the pocket by cutting a section off the top. That gives the same protection that you got by partially filling the pocket with baking soda and CA.

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  14. #11
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    I thought about shortening it but went with the other. Great minds think alike.

    It also helps that I have a nice little razor saw and miter box combination.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  15. #12

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Speaking from the experience of a guy who usually learns everything the hard way, I will say string winders are a great time saver and promote neatly "stacked" windings on the string posts, but should be used with caution on vintage instruments and tuner buttons. That is, a string winder should not be used to provide extra leverage on old tuners that really need lubrication -- good way to break your buttons off. In fact, when I see a vintage instrument and reach for the string winder, a light bulb goes off in my head that says, "hey, better do it the old fashioned way -- remember what happened last time?" Also, it is easy to bump into the delicate peghead finish by trying to go too fast and damage the finish or dent the wood.

    But, sure, I remember seeing those old pictures of the Fender factory with early string winders attached to electric drills and said to myself, "wow, why didn't I think of that?!!!"

  16. #13
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Most folks that have tuners that turn hard just use pliers. Just an observation.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  17. #14

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Quote Originally Posted by Buck View Post
    I'm a fan of Frank's Cranks. Got a full set for my birthday a couple years ago.

    Those are really pretty! But, I'm stumped at what a "full set" is? Guitar, Mandolin, and.........bass? autoharp? hammered dulcimer? maybe an old Victrola?

  18. #15

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Mando View Post
    Those are really pretty! But, I'm stumped at what a "full set" is? Guitar, Mandolin, and.........bass? autoharp? hammered dulcimer? maybe an old Victrola?
    Small = mandolin sized buttons
    Medium = most vintage or modern open gear guitar button (Waverly, Gotoh, Schaller scalloped or oval)
    Large = Grover Rotomatic or large Schaller


    Mike, I didn't have an identical one to photograph, but the yellow one is unaltered and the black one is my modified version.


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  20. #16
    Registered User Tom Haywood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    I've been using this one for about 12 years. I don't see a name and I don't recognize the logo. The long side fits guitar tuners and some mandolins; the short side with a piece of cork inserted on one side fits pretty much all other mandolin tuners. I tried shortening a Dunlop and I made a few, but this one gets the job done.

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    Tom

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  21. #17
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    The D'Addario Turbotune is the best I have ever used. It has three different slot configurations in one socket for different size knobs and the socket comes out of the crank and will fit into an electric screwdriver. I have had two of them for decades. I keep one with my string changing tools and one in my case. I have used them for everything from electric bass to mandolin.

    https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-PW-T.../dp/B00YJJ0H9C

  22. #18
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    I have a Planet Waves one that works for guitar, banjo, and reasonably well for mandolin. It also has a pinch style string cutter in the handle that doesn’t look like a wire cutter, so it works for air travel. It’s not as elegant as most of the ones listed above, but I think was 15 or 20 bucks when my wife picked it up as a stocking stuffer a few years ago...

  23. #19
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I love all the nicely made and machined winders from Frank, Lynn and all but I'm a DIY kind of guy with a saw, some CA and a few Jim Dunlop guitar winders laying around. Cut it and glued it then filled the inside with a little baking soda and CA so it wasn't as deep. I've been using it for years. I don't know if it would work with the different colored winders from Dunlop but it works on the white ones.


    Mike, you inspired me so I chopped up my Dunlop winder as well
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  25. #20
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Quote Originally Posted by DaveGinNJ View Post
    Mike, you inspired me so I chopped up my Dunlop winder as well
    Cool!
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  26. #21
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Builders re use scrap hardwoods, and make winders too..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  27. #22

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I made one from one of the larger ones. Took a little sawing, filing, and super-glueing, but you can make it to fit your tuner buttons exactly.

  28. #23

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    Click image for larger version. 

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    This image shows the size difference better.

  29. #24
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    My Nicolo Alessi string winder.

    'Incredible precision and it even has a bearing:
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    www.condino.com

    Crafted by hand in a workshop powered by the sun.

  30. #25

    Default Re: Stringwinder's for mando

    j. condino - wow, that's the Ferrari of string winders, for sure!

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