First time changing strings on classical guitar

[tbirdman]

I think I viewed about 4 hours of videos on how to change classical guitar strings. Seems like everyone has slight variations including which end of the wound strings to use where.

I found this website of Douglas Niedt had the most in depth information. I used his detailed information to perform my first string change which took a few hours as I went slowly and kept referring back to the videos.

I think the strings on my 2016 Amalio Burguet Vanessa had never been changed as they were so neatly done like I've experienced with factory installed strings. All is well that ends well!

Birdman;

Good for you. I remember being baffled by the string tie art, but once I got the hang of it I found it enjoyable. It's also important in that the widest range of nylon strings are designed to be tied. If you have the time and inclination I would like to see a photo of your string art.

[btbliatout]

I had a heck of a hard time getting used to it myself. The bridge ties took a while to get the hang of, but were straight forward on how to do. The ties at the tuners took me half a dozen tries (over the course of a year+) to start doing it without reviewing a tutorial first. Not to mentioned there's multiple ways to do it. Took me a while to find what way I wanted to do it, and what actually got me to a point of not having to think is...

I mocked up an oversized tuner out of a cardboard tube (left over from old toilet paper) and twine. Poked a hole through the tube, fed the twine through it, and tied it over and over and over and over and over from both left and right sides. A couple hours of that, and I haven't had an issue since. I kind of wish this was a drill teachers make students do, because 2 hours of drilling it on Week 1 will save a lot of hours down the line. I mean, most of us only change strings every 2-3 months, some only a couple times a year, so one only gets practice several times a year, and never repeatedly in any one sitting (well, I guess they get six repetitions each time).

I'd also love to see your fine string art :-)

[rick-slo]

You will be down to 10 minutes before long. Does take some time for the nylon strings to settle into a steady pitch.

[rmp]

First time changes are daunting.

I've done this many times, yet, I dread the whole thought of it when it's time, like right now..

[ssstewart]

Originally Posted by btbliatout

I had a heck of a hard time getting used to it myself. The bridge ties took a while to get the hang of, but were straight forward on how to do. The ties at the tuners took me half a dozen tries (over the course of a year+) to start doing it without reviewing a tutorial first. Not to mentioned there's multiple ways to do it. Took me a while to find what way I wanted to do it, and what actually got me to a point of not having to think is...

I mocked up an oversized tuner out of a cardboard tube (left over from old toilet paper) and twine. Poked a hole through the tube, fed the twine through it, and tied it over and over and over and over and over from both left and right sides. A couple hours of that, and I haven't had an issue since. I kind of wish this was a drill teachers make students do, because 2 hours of drilling it on Week 1 will save a lot of hours down the line. I mean, most of us only change strings every 2-3 months, some only a couple times a year, so one only gets practice several times a year, and never repeatedly in any one sitting (well, I guess they get six repetitions each time).

I'd also love to see your fine string art :-)

Awesome post!!!! I love the memory training you went through, hats off to u. i kept trying to act like a boy scout when i first went through that at 12 yrs old. even now at 53 still takes me an hour or so to do it OCD proper...still takes a day or 2 for the 3 nylons to settle... i found silk ones even longer to settle in. LOVE YOUR POST

[tbirdman]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

You will be down to 10 minutes before long. Does take some time for the nylon strings to settle into a steady pitch.

I noticed that. Even after hand stretching them multiple times last night, all were out of tune by a semitone or more. I was hoping there was a magic stretch out there.

[tbirdman]

As requested.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mj2R94]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2mjazG8]

[tbirdman]

Originally Posted by btbliatout

I had a heck of a hard time getting used to it myself. The bridge ties took a while to get the hang of, but were straight forward on how to do. The ties at the tuners took me half a dozen tries (over the course of a year+) to start doing it without reviewing a tutorial first. Not to mentioned there's multiple ways to do it. Took me a while to find what way I wanted to do it, and what actually got me to a point of not having to think is...

I mocked up an oversized tuner out of a cardboard tube (left over from old toilet paper) and twine. Poked a hole through the tube, fed the twine through it, and tied it over and over and over and over and over from both left and right sides. A couple hours of that, and I haven't had an issue since. I kind of wish this was a drill teachers make students do, because 2 hours of drilling it on Week 1 will save a lot of hours down the line. I mean, most of us only change strings every 2-3 months, some only a couple times a year, so one only gets practice several times a year, and never repeatedly in any one sitting (well, I guess they get six repetitions each time).

I'd also love to see your fine string art :-)

I change my steel strings about once a month and I still look at the video sometimes. Actually got those down pretty well following the video at Justinguitar.com.

I think I have it down fairly well. The tuning pegs is which way to you make the knot to ensure the 1st and 6th string wrap around to the outside while the rest of the strings wrap to the inside. again I'm just following the recommended method from the website that I posted. Interesting is the guy didn't like the string tails to be captured by the next strings bridge tie.

[TBman]

I'm not a classical player, yet I have a Cordoba C5 that I play around with from time to time. I bought those tie blocks which makes the tie off at the bridge a non-problem.

[Rapido Eduwardo]

Two reccomendations I have for changing nylon strings are:
1) Get a plank poster cardboard from the local dollar store and cut out a protective shape that fits around the bridge. If a string snaps your delicate top will be protected. I learned the hard way.

2) After putting new string on, I use my phone app to tune. This particular app shows the frequency of the string as it is being tightened. I avoid over tensioning the strings in this way. The frequencies for normal tuning are:
Low E 82 Hz
Low A 110 Hz
D 146 Hz
G 196 Hz
B 247 Hz
High E 329 Hz

For drop D tuning, tune low E down to 73.Hz.

Tbird;

Nice job--clean and neat. I tried the tie blocks but found I didn't like the look and the normal string tie is fast enough for me.

Nylons always take a while to settle in. Part of that time is due to the strings, the wood also moves and necessitates retuning. I've found that carbon fiber and Ekoa guitars require a lot less tuning.

Thanks for the pictures.

[tbirdman]

Originally Posted by Rapido Eduwardo

Two reccomendations I have for changing nylon strings are:
1) Get a plank poster cardboard from the local dollar store and cut out a protective shape that fits around the bridge. If a string snaps your delicate top will be protected. I learned the hard way.

2) After putting new string on, I use my phone app to tune. This particular app shows the frequency of the string as it is being tightened. I avoid over tensioning the strings in this way. The frequencies for normal tuning are:
Low E 82 Hz
Low A 110 Hz
D 146 Hz
G 196 Hz
B 247 Hz
High E 329 Hz

For drop D tuning, tune low E down to 73.Hz.

I've only broke one string by over tuning on my steel string guitar. I should had known as the tuning peg was getting hard to turn. Ah, dummy, maybe you should back off. LOL

However I always wonder if they make tuners that attached to the headstock with frequencies displayed. That would be a great first time after string change addition. Of course using an app works as well I suppose.

[tbirdman]

Now the question is how often will I change the strings. I change my steel guitar strings about once a month. I play both the steel and nylon string each daily and most of the time twice daily.

[mr. beaumont]

There are different ways, but there is NO QUESTION about which edge ties to the bridge. It. should NEVER be the end of the string with looser, fewer winds.