First slot head restring

[Lillis]

First off,when I ordered my Eastman E20 OO I started watching instructional video’s on you tube. Silly Mustache’s were invaluable. Of course,me being me I started off poorly and snapped the low E string which wasted a set of Ernie Ball aluminum bronze. Once I figured out what I did wrong (maybe I shouldn’t have used my new electric winder for the first time on a slot head) Things went pretty smoothly with a set of EJ11’s. I bought the guitar in spite of it being a slot head but the look has really grown on me in the week I’ve had it. I think string changes will go smoother and look a little more proper after a couple of changes. All in all certainly nothing to be Leary of as I was.

[Brucebubs]

I have 2 guitars with slot heads - 1 nylon string and 1 steel string.

I allow myself plenty of time to do a re-string and I kind of enjoy the challenge to do the neatest job I possibly can.

[llew]

You'll get better at it. I found (cause I don't own a slotted headstock guitar at the moment) it was not a lot different than the way I re-string my paddle headstocks just on a horizontal plane rather than vertical. For me an autowinder made it much easier.

[Conomor]

I have a couple of slotheads, and I actually prefer changing strings on those than on my slabheads. I also found Silly Moustache's videos extremely useful; his technique is a lot easier to follow than Dave Doll's.

[zoopeda]

I find that if you use the method of 1. secure the string at the bridge, 2. pull to about 1.5 inches beyond the tuning peg, 3. clip, 4, crimp with needle nose pliers &insert into peg hole, 5. wind in the proper way (first around one side of the hole, then over the first wind to lock it in place), it really goes quite easily once you do it a few times.

[Lillis]

Here’s The job I did. Not perfect not horrible.

[TJNies]

I personally wind the low and high E strings toward the inside (opposite what you did), and all other strings to the outside.
It keeps the string away from the spoons, resulting in less chance of interference.

[Lillis]

Originally Posted by TJNies

I personally wind the low and high E strings toward the inside (opposite what you did), and all other strings to the outside.

It keeps the string away from the spoons, resulting in less chance of interference.

definitely something to consider. I don’t have much clearance between the first and six strings and the head.

[llew]

Originally Posted by Lillis

definitely something to consider. I don’t have much clearance between the first and six strings and the head.

Yeah...that's something I did too. Just seemed to work better for me that way?

[justonwo]

The first one’s a bit harrowing. Especially when the low E grabs the edge of the slot and removes finish! Silly Moustache’s video is great.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Lillis

definitely something to consider. I don’t have much clearance between the first and six strings and the head.

As long as the strings don't touch anything I prefer the exact way you done it because the strings are traveling much straighter to the slots in the nut.

Here's my shot again with a piece of paper showing the strings aren't touching the headstock.



Works on my Martin but not all slot-heads are the same.

[Lillis]

Originally Posted by justonwo

The first one’s a bit harrowing. Especially when the low E grabs the edge of the slot and removes finish! Silly Moustache’s video is great.

Yep,I nicked the slot. Not happy about it but I’m glad it’s not worse.

[tadol]

I really hate dealing with slot-heads - I’ve even sold a guitar that was fantastic just because it had a slot head -

[KitKat1]

Originally Posted by Lillis

Here’s The job I did. Not perfect not horrible.

yT

Good job! Ha! My first attempt on my slot head this week resembled yours. I followed YT videos, measuring, crimping, cutting, winding. Hoping to get neater with practice. I enjoy changing strings on my paddle head guitars but winding the tuning knobs on the slot head with my hand winder was, well, pretty annoying. New strings sound great though.

[Brent Hahn]

It'd be easier if the holes in the shafts weren't all in the same spot.