So then, HOW do you change your strings?

Matt Elsen · From: Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, WA

Since there's currently some discussion about changing strings, I thought I'd ask:

When you do change strings, HOW do you go about doing it?

Do you replace them one at a time? (Take one string off, replace it, them move on to the next string).

or

Do the whole neck in one shot? (Take all the strings off of one neck and then replace them all at the same time).

Or

Do you replace the plain strings all at one time and then the wounds?

Some other way?

Do guitar manufacturers generally recommend one way over the others?

Just curious,

ME

David Doggett · Posted 13 Nov 2007 8:00 pm

I usually replace one string at a time, just from force of habit, because that's the way I always did it on the acoustic guitars and resos I started on. And when you are in a hurry, it is quicker to do them one at a time and tune them up to pitch using the old strings still on the instrument. But I'm trying to change to taking them all off at once, so I can use the opportunity to clean the instrument. In past discussions of this the consensus has always been that solid-body electric instruments are in no way harmed by removing all the strings at once.

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

I remove all the strings, then use this as a time to give my guitar a good cleaning.

After replacing the strings I don't worry about getting it in good tune the first time around, just close. Then I spend about a half hour just noodling, mashing pedals and moving knee levers, just stretching strings in general, after that it will usually tune up and stay.
Of course I do try to do this a couple of days before playing a gig, if I have that option. Very Happy

Larry
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Papa Joe Pollick · From: Swanton, Ohio

Exactly what Larry said..

Ken Williams · From: Arkansas

I voted for one string at a time but that's not exactly how I do it. I don't take them all off at one time because it's easier to get a tuning reference if some are still on. Usually replace the 4th string on E9th first. I do that because that's the string I use as a tuning reference. I want to get all the stretch out of that string as soon as possible. From there I usually take them off in groups of a two or three at a time. That gives me room to clean things I need to clean. Always take the 1st and 2nd off in a group, then replace the 1st. The tuning peg is so cramped on the 1st and 10th string so I always have the adjacent string off to allow more room. I always seem to end up with 8th string because I'm using it as a reference as I try to get the stretch out of the 4th string as I go.

On C6th, I replace the 3rd string first and pretty much follow the same pattern. I rarely replace all the strings on C6th. Ya'll don't throw things at me but last year I replaced the 10th string on C6th. It's the first time it had been changed in several years. Very Happy

Ken

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

On a standard guitar the strings and neck are held in a "stalemate" of balance and tension. If you remove all the strings at once, the neck will be released from this tension and may shift relative to the body of the instrument.

THIS IS PARTULARLY TRUE OF BOLT ON NECK STYLE GUITARS... LIKE Fender strats and teles...

This is not the case with a steel guitar. The solid neck/body are much more massive and will not move hardly at all when strings are removed.

This being said, I usually remove all of my strings on my lap steel to clean it.

Dom

Alan Harrison · From: Murfreesboro Tennessee, USA

What Larry said...
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Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Although I always remove all strings at once, steel or six-string, so that I can thoroughly clean the instrument, I never cut the strings. I'll always wind them down gradually so that the guitar, steel or b@^&* isn't suddenly relieved of all that tension.

Maybe the precaution is unwarranted with all the rigidity inherent in a pedal-steel, but it's now just a habit with me.

I love having the chance to get the dust out of the headstock on my Emmons - a nightmare if there are any strings still attached!

RR

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

I change two at a time. I start with the 1st and 10th and work my way up to the 5th and 6th tuning them back up to pitch as I go. Jody.

Mark Lind-Hanson · From: Menlo Park, California, USA

One at a time. With a stringwinder and a needlenose.
I think most guitars whether steel or not benefit from this in order to keep tension in the neck. Unless you really plan an overhaul on your truss bars, bridges and such (w/ six strings) it's best to go one at a time- also allows you a few reference points in tuning up the new strings. I would think it logical the same applies to almost any stringed instrument... Even if it doesn't, you still have those other reference points for the new strings, too.

George McLellan · From: Duluth, MN USA

I take them all off and lube everything after cleaning. I used to do one at a time but it's much easier to clean after taking off all the strings. I use a cordless to wind them down but hand wind them on. I tune down ½ step for a day or so to strech them (it also cut down on breakage).

Geo

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I just finished this most annoying task. This time I cut all the strings in the middle which made it about a 5 minute job to remove them all. Hey, when a string breaks on your guitar it's no different than just cutting them to remove them. What a time saver. Then I replaced them one at a time starting with the high ones, tunign them to about 3/4 pitch. After that I went back and brought them all up to pitch.

Greg

Nicholas Dedring · From: Beacon, New York, USA

I just find it easier to tune to the octaves of whatever string just came off, so I replace one at at time, and semi-temper them as I tune them up. YMMV, OCTAOE and all that.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

I don't know, but there's usually blood involved and loud obscenities. Always in the same spot, too.
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Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

I usually remove all the strings, run a bead of Lucas gun oil (red) across the top of the changer rollers, let it set until the oil has run down into the changer, wipe the changer rollers, then put the new strings on, tune them to pitch, give each a tug except the 3rd, retune to pitch, apply pressure to the strings on each side of the nut rollers, retune to pitch, work the pedals and levers several times then tune each string and each pull.
Jerry

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