A tip for faster string changes

[TBman]

Maybe the whole world knows this already, but

When I changed strings prior to about 5 years ago, I didn't pay attention to which bridge pin went into which hole. So as a result, string changes were a challenge sometimes to get the pin to seat right with the string in place.

Then I read hear that someone said they always put the pins back in the same hole they came out of. Made sense to me. Some scoffed at this I noted, but I tried it.

It worked.

Now, I've taken it a notch up by following Brucebub's lead. I bought a cheap bridge and I'm going to find a piece of wood to glue it to and use it to hold the bridge pins while I change strings.

[Dru Edwards]

Hey Barry- that's what I do with the screws on my electric when I take off hardware. They all go back in the same hole

I only replace one string at a time so I don't worry about the bridge pins but if I were to remove all strings at once to clean the guitar I would layout the bridgepins in the correct order ... from left to right. I like Bruce's idea of the 'bridge pin holder'. I seem to recall a pic he posted a few weeks back and it's a great idea.

[mtdmind]

I agree that works well. I, too, have been using the same pins for the same holes.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by TBman

Maybe the whole world knows this already, but

When I changed strings prior to about 5 years ago, I didn't pay attention to which bridge pin went into which hole. So as a result, string changes were a challenge sometimes to get the pin to seat right with the string in place.

Then I read hear that someone said they always put the pins back in the same hole they came out of. Made sense to me. Some scoffed at this I noted, but I tried it.

It worked.

Now, I've taken it a notch up by following Brucebub's lead. I bought a cheap bridge and I'm going to find a piece of wood to glue it to and use it to hold the bridge pins while I change strings.

Hi Barry
It depends on one's system/guitar.

For acoustics, I pull all the pins and strings (first step) so I can clean the dust in front of the bridge, and clean the fingerboard.

I use slotless pins which were custom made, and had a luthier install them, so the holes are reamed uniformly, slots cut appropriately in the bridge, and the pins are interchangeable.

But I've changed strings for people who I definitely kept them in order - particularly cheap plastic pins. I just lay them out in order on my end-table where I sit and change strings most of the time. Clever idea with the additional cheap bridge…

Also, for me it's not that it makes string changes 'faster' (as mentioned in your title) but more smoothly.

For me most of my string changes are done at leisure not in 'hurry-up-and-get-this-done!!!!!' mode.

I can speed change strings if necessary sitting in a chair with the guitar in my hands. I rarely ever go to a work-bench (though I have one). I used to use non-coated strings, and would change strings within an hour of a gig. My workbench will not fit in my car. With my electric string changer I can do a full string change without a workbench in about 5-6 minutes.

Also, I've changed strings for other on-stage musicians who break strings during a set. I hand them my guitar and take theirs off-stage, change the string and bring it back (usually by next song). Since the most common string broken is the 3rd, I'm really good at that one!

[TBman]

I'm looking at "turning wood" online. Maybe a nice piece of rosewood to mount the bridge on would be nice. A 2x4 just won't cut it for keeping it on my desk.

"Turning" wood

[bufflehead]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Since the most common string broken is the 3rd, I'm really good at that one!

Back in my string-beaking days, I used to buy two extra G strings with every new set of strings.

[jazzereh]

While I have a string winder on the way I have not used one up to now and don't have any issues with changing. Acoustics. Easy. One string at at time. Pins always go back in the same hole.

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by TBman

I bought a cheap bridge and I'm going to find a piece of wood to glue it to and use it to hold the bridge pins while I change strings.

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.

[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.

[AcousticDreams]

This is an older picture of my String Changing Station. Will be taking some new pictures in the near future as I have made several additions to my work station including a new guitar work bench.

I use to even number my pins. No more as I use darker colored pins. I just keep them in order in the holes of my changing station. You will notice that there are only six holes in a line. That is because I keep the Sixth pin in my Bridge Pin puller.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by TBman

…A 2x4 just won't cut it for keeping it on my desk.

Hi Barry

Feet? Meters?

[Rosewood99]

I've always laid out the bridge pins in the same order they were removed.

[Brucebubs]

For reference here's my neck support that Barry mentions.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

For reference here's my neck support that Barry mentions.

I like it Bruce. You built that yourself, correct?

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I like it Bruce. You built that yourself, correct?

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.