Another rite of passage - 1st slothead restring

[KenL]

After 40 years of NOT owning a slot head, I suddenly found myself with 2 of them, somehow.

I approached the first string change with apprehension, but I had watched a couple videos and read the threads here on the AGF about how to do it, and it went okay.

I found that if I do the task at the end of my kitchen countertop (which is raised) with the headstock hanging out over the end so that I can work from underneath, it goes much better. I've gotten pretty good at it, in fact.

Next, I'm going to get an electric string winder, which will really help.

[TBman]

I use a capo as a third hand while restringing. Kind of evens the playing field. It's like having an assistant hold the string in place while you trim to length and while putting the end through the hole that seems to get smaller with time...

And here's my slothead while we're all posting them..

[Brucebubs]

That's good Barry, looks like that headstock has plenty of room to wind 1 & 2 strings to the outside and all the others to the inside.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

That's good Barry, looks like that headstock has plenty of room to wind 1 & 2 strings to the outside and all the others to the inside.

Thanks Bruce. Another thing I do after all the strings are off is to restring from the outside in.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

First, the good news - no blood was shed and the strings are installed and holding tune.

Don't get cocky...

[DanleyJ]

The part I like about the Taylor method is running the string straight through the hole without putting a kink in it wrapping around the end of the string in a U shape like in the Martin video. I did it this way the first time and removing the string was a nightmare trying not to scratch up the headstock trying to undo that U shape to release the string from the hole. If you run it straight through it comes straight out when removing the string on the next string change and does not try to dig into the headstock tearing it up. Making that U shape does not do a better job of locking the string in place when tuning it up so there is no reason to do it. That was my main takeaway. Slotted headstocks are a breeze for me now.

[Mr. Scott]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Very good.
If you look at Fazool's picture you have plenty of room on the headstock to wind the 2 'E' strings (1 & 6) to the outside so the string lines up straighter with the nut groove.

This is quite correct, the outer Es wind to the outside and the othe four to the inside. That's how I do it anyway in order to maintain as straight a pull as possible.

[kydave]

THIS:


would be the correct way to string a slothead.

Both E strings to the outside, all others to the inside, as others have pointed out, to reduce the deflection of the strings over the nut.

Nice job Bruce!



No offense to the OP's first shot, but THIS:


crisscrossing of the strings is very inelegant, and as others pointed out, there are too many wraps on some of the other strings leading to the misnamed "string stretching" problem. Anything more than a wrap and a half is superfluous.

A sharp kink on either side of the hole, in opposite directions (the kink toward the nut on the wrapping side, the kink in the opposite direction on the cutting side) and the string is locked nicely in place with minimal wraps. I hit the strings on this Dobro a LOT harder than most slothead guitar players do, I expect...



I confess that this is not one of my "prettier" jobs, as it was done at a festival in a hurry, but you get the idea.

But live and learn, eh?

[jbpoolsfla]

I am looking forward to my first slotted restring
I see a Taylor GC8 in my future

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by kydave

No offense to the OP's first shot, but THIS crisscrossing of the strings is very inelegant...But live and learn, eh?

Thanks, Dave! During my 65 years on this planet I've been called many things - but this is the first time I or my handiwork has been labeled "inelegant." I'll always cherish this moment.

[Ice4351]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

First, the good news - no blood was shed and the strings are installed and holding tune. But this initial one took me about 45 minutes. Basically did a mix of the Taylor and Martin (both e strings wound inward) methods. Learned a lot, so next time should go much smoother. And produce prettier results. Just glad Elixirs usually last me a couple months.

The first and 6th string should have been would first wrap inside and the rest outside to create a straight pull of the strings.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Ice4351

The first and 6th string should have been would first wrap inside and the rest outside to create a straight pull of the strings.

agreed :

This may help anyone struggling with this.

[dnf777]

Over the years, a few slot heads have come and gone, and I never realized they were so difficult to string. Maybe I took longer to string them- I dont know. For me, stringing guitars is a mental break from the normal grind. A little “me time” to focus on a simple task, and give the ol’ noodle a rest. Like mowing the fields.

[The Bard Rocks]

If there is extra time spent putting the string through a hole, it is made up by easier and more efficient turning of the tuners.

Like the fellow above, I never knew slotheads were supposed to be harder until reading it here.

[Slothead56]

Annndddd….once again I’m deep in the thread and realizing it’s almost 4 years old…