Replacing Strings

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 12:35 am

So earlier today I broke my D string trying to tune it to play Busted Stuff, Ive never restrung an acoustic before, Ive always had my uncle or the store do it and I wanna do it myself this time. Can anyone tell me how exactly or give me a site that explains it step by step, thanks.

felix · Unread post by **felix** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 5:00 am

http://www.wholenote.com/cgi-bin/page_view.pl?l=577
this is pretty good

Pickles · Unread post by **Pickles** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 12:10 pm

buy a winder - one of the most useful inventions ever.

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 6:38 pm

shane wrote:buy a winder - one of the most useful inventions ever.

I already have one, bought it a while ago when I got my electric, they do speed the process up a lot.

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 6:40 pm

felix wrote:http://www.wholenote.com/cgi-bin/page_view.pl?l=577
this is pretty good

That helped, thanks a lot.

EntsMarching · Unread post by **EntsMarching** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 7:06 pm

Something not mentioned on that page....you should only replace one string at a time (don't ever have more than one string off your guitar at a time). I took all six off the first time I tried restringing and had to get the tension on the neck reset at the store.

Speenis · Unread post by **Speenis** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 7:12 pm

EntsMarching wrote:Something not mentioned on that page....you should only replace one string at a time (don't ever have more than one string off your guitar at a time). I took all six off the first time I tried restringing and had to get the tension on the neck reset at the store.

Yeah, I heard that on some other page. I'm gonna try to find it, it was real sweet because it was really in depth with pictures and everything. EntsMarching, I like the name!!!!

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 7:27 pm

EntsMarching wrote:Something not mentioned on that page....you should only replace one string at a time (don't ever have more than one string off your guitar at a time). I took all six off the first time I tried restringing and had to get the tension on the neck reset at the store.

You were a little to late on that post, I had three off at the same time, but only for a few seconds, I changed the strings pretty quick for it being the first time. Hope that didnt mess my guitar up, I doubt it did though. By the way I got Martin Extended Life SP+ Light strings because they didnt have Elixir Polyweb or Nanoweb Light strings and Imust say the Martins suck compared to the Elixir's I had on before.

Speenis · Unread post by **Speenis** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 7:33 pm

Give em time, the martins aren't that bad. I personally do not prefer elixirs because I am not a fan of coated strings. Martin Marquis aren't bad. Also, I have bought several Elixirs and Martins in the past, and I must say that I have had my fair share of crappy sets from both companies. It seems pretty random to me.

jsgksu · Unread post by **jsgksu** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 1:21 pm

BigSpeen3436 wrote:Give em time, the martins aren't that bad. I personally do not prefer elixirs because I am not a fan of coated strings. Martin Marquis aren't bad. Also, I have bought several Elixirs and Martins in the past, and I must say that I have had my fair share of crappy sets from both companies. It seems pretty random to me.

Well Ive had time to play the strings for a day or so and I guess they arent that bad, they were just different. I think I deffinatley do like coated strings more though, these Martinss also seem to squeek like crazy on slides though, I dont remember the old Elixirs doing this. Its quite annoying.

grock · Unread post by **grock** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 1:37 pm

Something not mentioned on that page....you should only replace one string at a time (don't ever have more than one string off your guitar at a time). I took all six off the first time I tried restringing and had to get the tension on the neck reset at the store.

You can replace the strings any way you want. i take all my strings off and clean up the neck, buff the frets up to a nice bright shine, and give the body some wipe down. then you can check on tuning machines working properly and whether the saddle may need to be replaced. do not be afraid to take off all the strings.

I think everyone should have a working knowledge of your guitar. you should learn to adjust the truss rod yourself. it is incredibly simple. and how the saddle sits and just don't be afraid to take things apart like tuning machines or pickups. just be careful. and you can not break the guitar by taking offf the strings. that is just not true and it is actually prefered when storing or traveling with a guitar to remove the strings.

so go now and explore your guitar.

schubox · Unread post by **schubox** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 2:28 pm

grock wrote:
Something not mentioned on that page....you should only replace one string at a time (don't ever have more than one string off your guitar at a time). I took all six off the first time I tried restringing and had to get the tension on the neck reset at the store.
You can replace the strings any way you want. i take all my strings off and clean up the neck, buff the frets up to a nice bright shine, and give the body some wipe down. then you can check on tuning machines working properly and whether the saddle may need to be replaced. do not be afraid to take off all the strings.

I think everyone should have a working knowledge of your guitar. you should learn to adjust the truss rod yourself. it is incredibly simple. and how the saddle sits and just don't be afraid to take things apart like tuning machines or pickups. just be careful. and you can not break the guitar by taking offf the strings. that is just not true and it is actually prefered when storing or traveling with a guitar to remove the strings.

so go now and explore your guitar.

ould you maybe explain how to do some of the stuff you mentioned. Or give examples or something, I am definately interested in picking up more knowledge about guitars and adjusting them and all. Is there a web site or something?

grock · Unread post by **grock** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 5:45 pm

for the truss rod it is a simple allen wrench (for the most part) and tightening it will pull the neck back and loosening it will allow the neck to be pulled forward by the tension in the strings. you want a straight neck. but some pros like it bent a bit forward but i keep it straight. and be careful. a 1/4 turn a time and allow the wood to catch up with it. you shouldn't ever need to turn more than 1 full turn ever. and you also want to be carefull that the nut that the truss rod screw into does not come off in the neck. you will have the hardest time trying to rethread it inside there. but if you follow the 1 turn max rule this shouldn't be a problem.

i used sand paper and a file to make a saddle out of a larger peice of ivory. basically i used the original one that came with the guitar as a template to make my new one. just be careful about burrs.

i check the tuning machines to see if they are working properly. my B string tuner always kinda jiggled a bit so i swapped it with one of the other ones so there was a different amout of tension on it and it stopped jiggling around and making noise. but i will probably replace it sometime soon.

understanding just how a guitar works helps a lot too. like i am going to put heavier tuners on when i replace them because the more mass you have at the headstock the more resonance you get.

go in to the guitar store and talk to some of the guys. they know a heck of a lot and before i do anything i've never done before (like before i put in my pickup) i kinda get a talk through about it from them. you could bring the guitar in and watch how they do things. that has helped me a lot. but the best way is experience and talking in person with people who practically build guitars. and there is no shame in bringing the guitar in to have something done or installed. i had a strap pin installed by a shop cuz i just had no idea how to find the right place to drill. it seemed complicated. but minor adjustments you should be able to do yourself. i bet you could pick up a book about guitar maintanence too.

anywho, cheers

waffle_house_jam · Unread post by **waffle_house_jam** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 6:27 pm

wind the strings and duck. ever been hit in the face by a breaking medium string? not pleasant.
speaking of strings, has anyone tried those new d'addario EXPs?
friend of mine told me they were really good. i hate elixers though, dont know if i just dont like coated strings or its just that brand.

two steps too many · Unread post by **two steps too many** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 7:24 pm

I like coated strings, but not elixers because of the way they coast them, they coat the whole thing in their goop and i don't like it. where d-addario coats the wrap wire and then wraps it, giving it a natural feel and better tone, IMO. Martins coating process is similiar to d-addario, and I haven't decided between the two, or 80/20 or phospher bronze

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Replacing Strings

Replacing Strings

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