One string at a time is the
BigHeadClanJoined: Jan 20 2012 |
One string at a time is the correct way to do it (I do all of them at once sometimes for cleaning), if you have a guitar string winder tool it speeds up the processes considerably. After that it's just practice makes perfect, it took me about 40 minutes the first 2-3 times I stung a guitar. Probably down to 15 now. Although if you play a Spanish guitar I recommend checking out some Youtube videos, they typically |
What kind of guitar?
Yeah . . just patience, one
Clanver
Pixelfingers cant play Location: Germany, Kiel Joined: Jan 03 2009 |
Yeah . . just patience, one after another and keep your head away (nothing scarier than some string whipping into your face). |
Like auri said, the type of
ZaecheWord-puddle Joined: Jun 02 2015 |
Like auri said, the type of guitar makes a difference. I have a classical/Spanish and as a general rule of thumb I always unwind the strings one at a time (until all six strings lie loose and sort of draped over the body) before I destring--I'm trying to avoid two things: i) prolonged unbalanced forced on the guitar neck and ii) a sudden change in tension (from high to nothing) such as if one would snip the strings directly (this is a bad idea anyway, I think). Then I give the guitar a good clean, rub it down, work the fretboard with lemon oil or a suitable alternative. When I'm restringing, I usually start with the high e (thinnest) string. I generally only tighten them to the final tension once I've threaded all the strings through and secured them. Finally I bend and stretch the new strings to get them to stay in tune. Sort of this way: https://youtu.be/bmcfwty5L-M?t=1m but there's more give with nylon (they're softer) so I tend stretch them more dramatically. He's also doing sets of string at a time, I usually just do them individually, almost all the way from the bridge up to the nut (as close as I can get). |
I think the "prolonged
surreal
Eric: tank,godlike Location: Arizona Joined: Jan 04 2009 |
I think the "prolonged unbalanced force" thing is a myth. I've stringed everything from a six string banjo to my classical takamine by removing all the strings with absolutely no detrimental effects. |
Re: I think the "prolonged
ZaecheWord-puddle Joined: Jun 02 2015 |
surreal said
Well, for the relatively short amount of time, you're right, haha. It would make sense for an interval that extended to many months, but anyway. Personally, I tend to err on the side of caution, and so here we are. I think the only stringed instrument I'd be truly afraid of restringing are double-basses and their ilk. |
I have an acoustic guitar.
zelda_nerd2012
Joined: Nov 07 2011 |
I have an acoustic guitar. Thank you all for the help! I really need to get one of those string winders, that sounds really helpful! |
Removing all the strings from
Avaruussaha
Location: Finland Joined: Nov 13 2013 |
Removing all the strings from a steel string acoustic is completely fine, and actually preferred if you want to properly clean/oil the fretboard while at it. Asked this from the luthier who fixed my guitar last time I visited, just because I've seen so many answers to this same question. Just remember that using different kinds of strings (gauge) will have an effect on the action and fine tuning if the guitar is not set up to accomodate the new levels of tension. |
Re: Removing all the strings from
zelda_nerd2012
Joined: Nov 07 2011 |
Cool! Good to know thanks! |
zelda_nerd2012
Joined: Nov 07 2011
Hey everyone!
I recently got a new guitar (my old one had neck issues and it was going to cost more to fix it than the guitar was worth) and I've restrung my guitar many times, but I was just wondering. Is there an easy to restring a guitar? Is there a wrong way to do it? How do you all do it? I just do it one string at a time, that's how I was taught to do it. Just a silly little question!