The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic String Change with Power?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  String Change with Power?
Jim Saunders


From:
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:48 am    
Reply with quote

I used to dread to change strings, putting it off until I had to. But, on the last two changes I've used my reverseable, cordless drill, with a Dean Markley "Turbotune". I have a D-10. And, what a difference. You can spin off the old strings in a jiffy. Then cut the new string and spin it up to pretune tension in a third of the time. I'm not selling anything here and I may be the last guy on the planet to learn this, but I thought I'd pass it on.
_________________
Mullen, G2, D10, Peavey Nashville 112, Roland Cube 80XL, DD3, Goodrich L10 VP.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 9:37 am    
Reply with quote

Me too, Jim - it's a real boon! I, too, hate that task and will do anything to postpone it, but it's certainly not as irksome as it once was now I'm 'electrified'!!!

A word of caution, though; be careful as you get close to pitch - it'd be easy to go 'too far' and snap the string.

I loved their original ad slogan:

"Zero to 440 in six seconds..."

RR
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 10:31 am    
Reply with quote

Another word of caution---watch your RPM. I use a B&D cordless screw driver with a relatively slow rotation. I can't say for a fact but all my mechanical instincts say that too fast could really heat up the innards of your machine heads and do some harm. Might be that I'm over-cautious but keep it in mind.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 10:48 am    
Reply with quote

That's what I use, Jon - it does seem a manageable speed.

RR
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Andy Sandoval


From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 12:06 pm    
Reply with quote

You guys ever seen one of these? Winking

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

C. Christofferson

 

Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 12:14 pm    
Reply with quote

Hey A, should you really be advertising bongs here on the forum ?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bo Legg


Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 12:21 pm    
Reply with quote

Here is the standard Pack-your-Seat string changing kit for Sho-Buds $556



View user's profile Send private message

Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 12:43 pm    
Reply with quote

Yes, Andy, and I have a couple, but where's the comparison?

(you have given me a couple of colour ideas, though... Very Happy )

RR
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Carl Williams


From:
Oklahoma
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 12:49 pm    
Reply with quote

I'm with you Jim...the old "work smarter, not harder" thing comes to mind here...Thanks for the post...I need to make sure my Cordless Screwdriver is charged up for by next string change! Carl
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 1:48 pm    
Reply with quote

Like Andy said, the hand-crank speedwinders work fine once you get the hang of them, and I feel they're almost as fast as a battery operated dingus.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bryan Daste


From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 1:51 pm    
Reply with quote

Is the Turbo Tune still made? I can't seem to find it on the web.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Carl Williams


From:
Oklahoma
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 2:27 pm     Help for Arthritic Hands
Reply with quote

Jim,
One other thought here...for steelers who do have arthritis, this is a great alternative to the string winder...My Big Tuning wrench has been helping folks with arthritis. I'm sure most of us don't know how painful arthritis can be and I was very happy to hear my wrench helped them. I still use my string or side winder for 1-2 string changes but for complete string changes, the cordless way works very well. Carl
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Saunders


From:
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 2:39 pm     Turbo Tuners
Reply with quote

Bryan, You can get one from Carter Steel Guitars. Check the assessories section on their site. I just looked and they call it the Turbo Winder. Also check Steel Guitar Nashville. They have one that fits a drill called "Spin Doctor".

The TurboWinder does have a hand crank for those who prefer the manual. I always wondered why Ford invented the electric starter when he had a good hand cranker. Right!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Andy Sandoval


From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 3:00 pm    
Reply with quote

Donny Hinson wrote:
Like Andy said, the hand-crank speedwinders work fine once you get the hang of them, and I feel they're almost as fast as a battery operated dingus.


They also come with directions... Rolling Eyes
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Lee Baucum


From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 3:47 pm    
Reply with quote

The ones that Andy posted are not only cordless, but require no batteries!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Roger Rettig


From:
Naples, FL
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 5:13 pm    
Reply with quote

With all respect, boys, I don't understand the heavy sarcasm in some of these retorts.

It's quite clear why Jim was recommending the power-tool option, and it's obvious that we're all aware of the existence of the old-fashioned hand-driven tuning wrenches.

Changing twenty strings, especially with one's hand at that angle, can lead to a quite severe cramping after a few dozen turns, and the problem is greater when one has a hint of arthritis or carpel-tunnel syndrome (see that old guy at the left?). The powered screwdriver is a very apt solution.

What do you see as odd about his suggestion?
Confused
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
----------------------------------
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Bent Romnes


From:
London,Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 6:31 pm    
Reply with quote

Roger, I think they were all just joking. No sarcasm.
As for me, I go with Andy S. The Sidewinder is the perfect, reasonably priced item for the job. Never leave home without it.
Bent
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:50 pm     double post duh
Reply with quote

I asked my friend to hand the cordless screwdriver.......

HE replied "they are all cordless". javascript:emoticon('Laughing')

I loosen the screw in the tuner to reduced friction while unwinding/winding. Then snug it up with a hand screwdriver after tuning.


Last edited by Ron Randall on 2 Feb 2008 7:58 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:50 pm    
Reply with quote

sorry for the multiple posts.

Last edited by Ron Randall on 2 Feb 2008 7:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:52 pm    
Reply with quote

please excuse the multi posts.

Last edited by Ron Randall on 2 Feb 2008 8:00 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:52 pm    
Reply with quote

sorry

Last edited by Ron Randall on 2 Feb 2008 8:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:53 pm    
Reply with quote

ditto

Last edited by Ron Randall on 2 Feb 2008 8:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 7:54 pm    
Reply with quote

duh
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

C. Christofferson

 

Post  Posted 2 Feb 2008 11:48 pm    
Reply with quote

A pair of safety glasses wouldn't hurt.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP