Hints for changing strings

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 3 Nov 2015 4:22 am

When changing strings on guitars that have the little posts sticking out that the ball end slips over (for example Bigsby tremolo units and some pedal steels), I have found it useful to put a little blob of Blu-Tak (like a plastic putty you can use to attach posters to walls) over the ball end to keep it in position when working at the other end.

Does anyone have any handy hints for changing strings where the ball end slides into a slot like on my Sho~Bud.

When I changed the strings the other day, I had to get my wife to hold on the end of the string and keep it under tension while I threaded the other end through the tuners.

It occurred to me that if I broke a string at a gig, I'd have to get a volunteer from the audience to help me.

How do you guys change strings on this type of changer?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 3 Nov 2015 4:42 am

When my friend Josh Dubin owned a Sho-Bud Pro 3 he used to use a screwdriver to hold the ball end in the changer

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 3 Nov 2015 4:49 am

Jeff..For slotted fingers; grasp the ball end between your thumb and index finger and gently bend the string around your fingertip until it attains a curve, this helps place the ball in position to slide into the slot..Not certain if I would use any type of gummy substance to hold the ball onto the pin however, could end up in the changer and cause a problem. Might try a small disposable sponge paint brush instead. Place the ball on the pin and wedge the paint brush behind the finger to hold it in place..

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 3 Nov 2015 4:57 am

I use a rubber wedge, similar to what piano tuners use. No need for an "assistant" when changing strings.

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 3 Nov 2015 5:22 am

Roy Peterman · Post by **Roy Peterman** » 3 Nov 2015 7:43 am

There ya go, Bob! I use something almost identical. It doesn't take long to change a set of strings.

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 3 Nov 2015 12:59 pm

My Emmons & my Mullen both have pins. What I do is cut the string to length,thread it through the tuner,then put the ball end on the pin, hold the ball in place with my right hand ring finger & stretch the right hand thumb up to hold the string a couple inches above the changer. Then I crank the winder till the string locks; all the time holding up with my thumb. I let it go when it starts to tighten above the changer.

James Quillian · Post by **James Quillian** » 3 Nov 2015 7:18 pm

I use a piece of sponge glued to the end of a pop cycle stick.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 4 Nov 2015 7:32 am

a little wedge of flat foam packing material works for me

Jason King · Post by **Jason King** » 11 Nov 2015 12:20 pm

I use a pair of side cutters to clip the strings. The side cutters have rubber coated handles. I just stick the handle down to hold ball end inside the changer. Works great and the weight of the side cutters leaned back is plenty to hold in place.

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 11 Nov 2015 3:58 pm

Exactly what Rich said.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 11 Nov 2015 4:06 pm

BK, where does one find such a rubber piano tuner's wedge? Would your average music store have it?

FWIW, I use replacement stick on pencil erasers to hold the string on the pin....works pretty good.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 11 Nov 2015 4:19 pm

i like getting a volunteer from the audience.
that could be a good way to make new friends.

Jeff Triplett · Post by **Jeff Triplett** » 11 Nov 2015 4:21 pm

I use a small foam paint brush. Primary guitar has pins and it works great for that but also helps with the slotted style fingers.

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 14 Nov 2015 4:25 pm

Sorry for the delay JO, You can get the rubber wedges,(mutes) here.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... Caps%2C167

Jerry Jones · Post by **Jerry Jones** » 14 Nov 2015 5:00 pm

Larry Moore & Lee Warren win the MacGyver award!

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... piano+mute

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 17 Nov 2015 11:56 am

If your wife/girlfriend/significant other uses those little foam-rubber wedges for applying makeup, they work well for holding the ball-end on the pin or in the slot. Most of the larger pharmaceutical stores sell them.

The clothes-peg idea is probably the simplest I've seen so far. Handy for holding the pages on your music-stand if it's windy as well!

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 17 Nov 2015 3:11 pm

OK BK. TY. JO.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 17 Nov 2015 5:08 pm

This is what I did. Buy Williams, buy strings, put strings on and tune.

I know, pretty boring.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 17 Nov 2015 8:55 pm

These work great for holding string on post, AND are handy when you have a guitar player who doesn't know about dynamics and points his Twin Reverb in a dangerous direction (at ME!).

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 18 Nov 2015 1:21 pm

Jeff, I am so glad you started this thread...I have been embarrassed that I have had that problem...and I broke the string in front of lots of people and had to get a buddy to help me ! That sure started a lot of jokes !! Some great ideas here, I will try the clothes pin idea. I had a rubber wedge but it was too fat to get in. I like Bob Knights idea too and will probably order a set of those.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 18 Nov 2015 1:29 pm

Larry Moore & Lee Warren win the MacGyver award!

Great idea, works great, thanks

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 19 Nov 2015 9:02 am

Small foam rubber paint brush you can get from Home Depot for a buck.

Brian Brgant · Post by **Brian Brgant** » 19 Nov 2015 5:27 pm

Yep, the cheap little foam throw away paint brushes work great for me. And no worries if ya lose it. I always keep a couple in my ditty bag hanging on my PSG.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 20 Nov 2015 4:25 am

Jerry Jones wrote:Larry Moore & Lee Warren win the MacGyver award!

Roger Rettig said:

I like the clothes pin idea - cheap and cheerful!

American ingenuity at it's finest.
I'm amazed at what you can get from Amazon, an entire piano tuning kit for thirty bucks.
Wish I could find a PSG use for those red felt mute strips, I use a strip on my bass tailpiece like the old days.

Can somebody tell me what else you can get from Amazon besides books and PT kits?