• From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Topic: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Isn't it crazy, I have so many guitars and I still can't change a string properly. I think that the problem started 20 years ago, when a string snapped in my face.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM TO TUNE, I can even tune by ear, so, my question and probably not my question only is:

-  I remove all strings.
- I start with the big E string, how do I start, by putting it first in the home of the tuner, or first turn 2- 3 times before puttin it in the hole and than turn until the correct tone?

This looks stupid but most of my strings are really NOT AESTHETIC compared to those tuned in a store.
CAN I HAVE ADVISE PLEASE?

My apologies this might be a question that is answered very clear on the following site
http://guitar.about.com/od/beginners/ss … string.htm
but I don't delete the topic, because I want it "checked" by people with experience.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,205

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Hi Lieven,

Some people advocate replacing strings one by one but I prefer to remove all the strings so I can give the whole guitar, especially the fretboard, a good clean.

There is a way of fitting your strings and locking them so you do not have to have it wrapped round and round several times and it will stay in tune better this way. It is not easy to explain in words but I will try.

To start you need to have the hole through the machine head in line with the string. Fasten the string at the bridge end and feed it, in it's locating grooves, straight through the hole keeping it fairly taut. Without letting it slacken off wrap the spare end around the around the machine head in the opposite direction that the machine head will turn it to tighten the string, take it half way round and under the string and then pull it back in the opposite direction. When you tighten the string it will wrap over the spare end and trap it making it very secure. The excess string can then be cut off and when all strings are fitted then you can tune it.

Done this way it only takes about half a turn of the machine head to tune the string.

Roger

PS I have sent you a diagram by private E-mail which should help if you want to try this way.

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • buvvy
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2008-06-01
  • Posts: 273

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Aged Rockstars. A few months ago Jethro Tull toured South Africa. At the Cape Town concert Ian Anderson stopped the band during the intro to a song and told the audience to stop whisteling and stomping as it hurt his ears. the audience was dumbstruck. Halfway thru the next song he threw a total wobbly and stormed off stage. The band did'nt know what to do and after the bewilderment left - so did they. Their next concert in Durban was cancelled - due to poor ticket sales and at the following concert in Johannesburg Anderson came on first to tell the audience that he wanted no clapping, or noise at all. This arrogant washed up old pensioner should be in an old age home - I wonder if anyone else has ever experienced anything like this. Two weeks later foreigner played the same venue and brought the house down - the way it should be done.

Keep on Rocking and remember Animals Feel Pain Too.
  • KAP54
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: London Ontario Canada
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,746

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Hey Doc I agree with Roger. Remove all strings and clean fret board. I usually set my string in the Hole and pin it,hold it out to the machine head and cut it at the next machine head. Give the string a 90  degree bend 1/2" from end,feed it in holding string tension and carry on.
Hope that helps  smile
Kenny

Just Keepin on Keepin on
Martin DC15E
Cort MR710F
Squire Strat (Chinese)
  • From: BELGIUM
  • Registered: 2007-01-27
  • Posts: 3,403

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Well, I remove also ALL my strings at the same time, and 1 guitar was a kind of "victim".
After removing ALL strings the little E string made a metallic noise, it was to close to the fret board.
SOLUTION:
- I turned on the "bridge wheels" and problem solved?! I wasn't alone, I had a friend playing the "Hank Marvin" part, the lead.
He loves to analyze guitars and we both looked at the neck and didn't find a problem, the neck was completely in line with the body. So here we have set the bridge a little bit higher, but the real cause should be probably the 100% tension drop. We didn't start to work on the truss rod.
I know a guy, he is a professional "song smith" and played in a band (which I started up with my brother and his best friend on drums. A great time, thinking to be the king of the world everytime we had a song) my brother had to play bass (AND he didn't), because the second man also played guitar and is now session musician. That guy lives close to my house and tried some guitars, telling me your strings are dead.
It's unbelievable to play a guitar with brand new strings.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

gitaardocphil's Website

  • From: Anchorage
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 82

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

http://www.workshoplive.com/player/tips.cfm

  • From: Chico, Ca.
  • Registered: 2007-09-08
  • Posts: 327

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Doc,.....Watch this video..I do this with my guitars too it really works just apply to guitar,mando,or banjo..hope it helps

http://www.musicmoose.org/index.php?opt … ;Itemid=32

marcalan

I thought ; If I had one idea,
and took it from beginning to end.
I would try another.

marcalan's Website

8 Reply by Howard Bell (edited by Howard Bell 2008-07-30 14:42:20)

  • From: Telford U.K.
  • Registered: 2006-12-08
  • Posts: 48

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

Hi All
I've just changed my strings using the method in this vid. Worked fine.

http://www.tothestage.com/MediaDetail.Page?MediaId=19

The strings I use are my guitars are D'addario tape wound Jazz Light

http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.a … Class=AADA

Cheers

Howard

My acoustic trio Website
[url]http://www.accidentallyacoustic.co.uk/[/url]

Howard Bell's Website

  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: STILL SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO PUT A STRING ON A GUITAR

I am sure you have run acroos these sites but just in case.....
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/stringing.htm

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.