String stuck in the string slot

Greg Koenig · From: Nevada, USA

I was changing the C6 strings on a gfi ultra and the 9th string is stuck in the string slot. Any advise?

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Put a knife or slotted screwdriver between string and finger, push downward
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

You might also try a small allen wrench, insert the shorter angled end into the ball and push.

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

Hi Greg,

If you have an awl with a point on it, get the point on the ball end and tap gently with a hammer. Let us know how you make out.

Greg Koenig · From: Nevada, USA

This one has really got me. The ball end isn't stuck I believe it is actually the string is stuck and it has been this way for quite a while. I will try to upload a picture but it is hard to see in there.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

9 and 10 can get wedged if the lock twist lodges the wrong way in the slot.
In fact, I had already assumed that, and not that the ball lodged in the slot.
The awl or screwdriver should do the trick.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

On both my Carter and the Super-Pro I once had, I had to enlarge the slot in the finger. I took a small jewelers srewdriver and pryed up the "wings" of the slots until the ball and twist fit. You really have to have a light touch, as well as confidence, and do a tiny bit at a time. Prying too hard can break the slot open. BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!! Don't do it if you are not confident. Maybe try some smaller strings if they will work. I would try that first. I could never understand why builders went from pins to those stupid slots.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

The advice for getting the string out seems sound, but as for avoiding a repeat of the problem:

My GFI is an SD-10, so no big strings, but I had only a Super Pro for 20+ years, and never altered the string slots. I just figured out a method of installing strings 9 & 10 of the C6 that works fine. Just pre-bend the string with needle-nose pliers so it looks like in my (sloppy) drawing. Then you can hook the ball end under the notch, and the core wire fits into the slot. When tightened the string snugs up against the finger but not inside the slot, so it doesn't get stuck.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Great advice Brint.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Loosen the string until it's slack (or better yet cut it). Put a drop of tri-flow on the claw. Then put an awl thru the Ball end and a pliers on the cut end and work the remnant out.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Been there and done that on the first string change. I have a GFI S 12 Strings 10,11, and 12 can be tricky.
If the awl will not loosen and remove the string as a last thing, Cut the string about 2 inches long, Then get hold of the winding wire end and pull on it slowly it will start sliding up and around the the core wire, Go slow this may relieve the wedging in the slot till it can be removed.

I use a set of rather smooth faced pliers and sort of flatten the string up about 3/4 inch from the ball till it will slide easily into the finger slot.
No problem sliding in or out of the slot once has been done. Good Luck on this project and Happy Steelin.

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Could you perhaps bend a string half way in the middle and slide both ends down behind the hung string and pull it out from the bottom of the guitar with plier or vice grips.
Jerry
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http://www.littleoprey.org/

Greg Koenig · From: Nevada, USA

Thanks for all the help will let you know how it turns out after I can borrow the right tools. Greg

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

If you don't have a small enough awl or screwdriver, perhaps an ice pick may work.

ajm · From: Los Angeles

Try calling GFI and see what they say.

In addition to being able to help, I'm sure that they would want to know about an issue with their products. That is, if they don't already know after being in business for many years.

Greg Koenig · From: Nevada, USA

Success,

Thanks for the advise. I used a awl and a few love taps and it came right out!

Thank you all!
Greg

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

Funny, Lee.

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