A tip for faster string changes

[TBman]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Just from wood scraps I had lying about home Dru. Drilled out a rough U shape then smoothed it out with a rasp and a file, I have 2 sets of different thickness feet attached with velcro so I can raise and lower the 'cradle' height for different guitar body depths.
I bought the 12-string bridge on ebay - about $8.00 I think.
Not pretty but it works beautifully.

That was great idea Bruce. I like the utility of it.

[Chriscom]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

After decades of the same restringing method, I've recently changed to this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogTI_pYPMJc

Been stringing like this for six months now with no problems. Half the time. My more recent revelation is buying a Frank's Crank, Frank Ford's hand made machined work of art. Sold in the Gryphon Strings shop. Yes, like the Blue Chip pick, you think no way would I buy an $80 string winder, that's absurd, but one day after receiving Frank Ford's free advise for about the sixth time (this year), I decided I needed to buy something and had just stocked up on strings. So I took a Frank's Crank home.

This jewel of a tool does one thing exceedingly well. Can't put it any better than that, plus it's a work of art.

Thanks for posting all that! I'll try that stringing method next time--I despise re-stringing my guitars with a white-hot passionate hatred.

[Rudy4]

Why buy or make anything?

I've kept my pins in order for many years by taking them out and placing them on a washcloth. It keeps them from rolling around and doesn't cost anything.

[MakingMusic]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Or you could do the simple thing and mark the shaft of each pin with the number of the hole it belongs to. That’s what I do - I’m a firm believer in the KISS principle.

Genius! I’m definitely doing this.

[ruby50]

+1 for mark the pins and use a Frank's Crank. I'm hard to but Christmas gifts for so it's the perfect suggestion

Ed M

[EZYPIKINS]

I agree with ljguitar. Unless it's a broken string at a gig. Which almost never happens anymore. My string changes are a leisurely task. Or not even a task. More a therapy. Pins are laid out in order. I can see a use for a pin holder to keep them in order. Don't put enough windings around the post to justify a cheap winder, much less a Frank's Crank.
When done correctly, string goes around just less than 1 full turn. And I can do it pretty quick whenn needed.

[Brucebubs]

For the record - I have numbered my pins in the past too!

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Just from wood scraps I had lying about home Dru. Drilled out a rough U shape then smoothed it out with a rasp and a file, I have 2 sets of different thickness feet attached with velcro so I can raise and lower the 'cradle' height for different guitar body depths.
I bought the 12-string bridge on ebay - about $8.00 I think.
Not pretty but it works beautifully.

StewMac is going to see this thread and start making their own ... $50 each.

[LadysSolo]

Love the extra bridge idea (I will be getting a 12-string bridge to steal the idea.) Anything to keep me from screwing things up is appreciated. I live by the "if anything can go wrong, it will" philosophy.

[MakingMusic]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

For the record - I have numbered my pins in the past too!

Such an obvious and elegant solution. Can't believe I never thought of it but my pins are all numbered now! Just changed my strings

[MartinGibsonFan]

I have to admit, keeping 12 bridge pins in order of what hole they go into would be a problem.

My solution would probably be changing 3 groups of 2 (6) strings at a time. Do the 1st 2nd 3rd strings at once. Followed by strings 4, 5 and 6.

MGF

[MakingMusic]

Originally Posted by MartinGibsonFan

I have to admit, keeping 12 bridge pins in order of what hole they go into would be a problem.

My solution would probably be changing 3 groups of 2 (6) strings at a time. Do the 1st 2nd 3rd strings at once. Followed by strings 4, 5 and 6.

MGF

Not a bad idea. But no matter what, a 12-string is just a pain to re-string any way you do it. I like to take all 12 strings off at once so I can give a good wipe down of the fretboard and bridge area. But I might try 6 and 6 as you suggest.

[MartinGibsonFan]

I agree, the full wipe down would be compromised.

That's actually the one thing i look forward to when changing strings.

A half and half wipe down might not be that thorough, but the twelve loose bridge pins would drive me nuts.

Maybe configure a jig with holes labeled one through 12 and stick your bridge pins in them. Nothing fancy.

Ugh, I don't miss restringing 12 string guitars, but i sure do miss their tone.

MGF

[TBman]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Or you could do the simple thing and mark the shaft of each pin with the number of the hole it belongs to. That’s what I do - I’m a firm believer in the KISS principle.

But then I don't get to use power tools...

[LeDave]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

For the record - I have numbered my pins in the past too!

That's a brilliant idea. Soo going to do this soon