string problem

[NYmando]

I recently got my hands on what will be my camping/beater mando, a Gretsch New Yorker, as well as an old banjo. Both have the annoying tailpiece problem where you have to hook loop ends onto prongs at the back of the instrument, which means bending the loop end at just the right place so that you can grab the prong while feeding the string through the tailpiece. A frustrating task, at least for me, and I've snapped a couple of strings when I've made the bend too sharply. Someone on a banjo site suggested using ball end strings, and just letting the ball jam against those prongs. Thoughts? thanks

[Steve Mead]

I have used a sharpened pencil to help make the bend then feed the unbent end through the tailpiece towards bridge

[David Kennedy]

Have a look at this site: http://frets.com/FretsPages/Musician...dostring2.html