String Changing – All off or one at a time?

[Peter Z]

All off, even on banjo and mandolins.

[Elroy Bean]

I've been told to swap strings one at a time to keep normal tension on the neck at all times. But as most folks do, I remove all, allowing a once over before re-installation. An exception, floating bridges, rather rare for flattops, require some of the strings be left in place in order to keep the bridge secure.

EDIT: I see I'm behind the times and floating bridges have already been noted.

[Silly Moustache]

As can be seen no my videos,
Fixed bridge:
1. Remove all,
2. inside inspection/clean,
3. clean exterior with damp cloth,and dry.
4. polish
5. Pre-cut strings (I have my own preferred cutting lengths)
6.restring - 6,1,5,2,4.3
7.Tune, stretch or "settle" strings
8. Retune, play hard for a minute or so
9. Retune.

Job done.

Floating bridge:
1. Remove all but 1st and last - then as above.

NOTE: following that 6,1,5,2,4,3 order avoids strings getting in your own way.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Elroy Bean

I've been told to swap strings one at a time to keep normal tension on the neck at all times. ....snip .....

Elroy, that old method was all about cheaper guitars without good neck re0enforcement and poor bracing. It no longer really applies, unless we are restringing a very old and/or budget instrument.
Andy

Flattops: All off.
Resonators: One at a time to prevent the cones from shifting.

Here are my reflections on 35 years of string changing:

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=603140

[The Watchman]

One at a time. I think it makes tuning up easier.

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by The Watchman

One at a time. I think it makes tuning up easier.

This, it seems like the guitar settles back into tune faster.

[ssstewart]

all off completely. that way i can clean and condition fretboard with howards feed at same time ( depending on the guitar- ebony board ones i only wipe) I change strings every 2 weeks to 6 weeks

i know lot of classical luths say only one at a time, but i was born naked so i make my guitars go through same exp every time i re string including archtop with floating bridge

[jtdavis]

For years I took them all off. About 20 years ago I bought a Guild F512, one of my dream guitars. The first time I changed the strings I took them all off and started winding up the first one and it was hitting a fret. I made sure everything was seated properly and the string was still hitting the fret. I frantically pulled the manual that came with the guitar (I hadnt opened it up until that point) and it said to not take them all off at once because of the double trustrod in the neck. That was without a doubt the fastest I every put strings on. Once they were on the neck went back in place and everything was fine. The more I thought about it, I decided necks are designed for the tension. Since that time I always change them one at a time.

[Tnfiddler]

After countless string changes taking them all off at the same time, I just tried one at a time. It went fast and easy, but it was weird not being able to wipe down the whole fretboard and top at the same time.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

One at a time, starting with the low E string.

This is usually how I do it, one string at a time. It seems to keep the tuning more stable.

Occasionally I’ll pull off all six at once. It’s faster than going one at a time.


whm

[Tom_B]

For classical guitars, I loosen up the strings uniformly to avoid a potential twisting of the neck. Then I remove them all at once to clean and sometimes oil the fretboard.

I tie the strings in reversed method. Tie them all loosely, tension them uniformly, and tune.

[KevinH]

Interesting observation. My ritual is all off, clean fretboard, install new ones, stretch, retune, rinse and repeat. They seem to settle in right away.

[musicman1951]

I've watched string changing videos from major manufacturers and don't recall a single one recommending one at a time. I take them all off.

[Rosewood99]

I do the bottom three first than the rest.