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Topic: Problem Changing strings help needed |
David Dorwart
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2025 3:35 pm |
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| I stupidly decided to change all the strings on my GFI Ultra ( after 3 years! ) shoulda left well enough alone. Finally got them on. 3rd string keeps breaking when I tune up - four times! The ball end got stuck inside the changer somewhere on the first change. I was able to finally free it and pulled it out of whatever it was jammed into. I don’t understand why it keeps breaking. I live in Central Florida the only shop nearby that handles steel guitars closed. HELP! |
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Jim Bloomfield
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2025 5:07 pm
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Bring the 3rd string up to pitch very slowly. Tune it up to E then stop and repeatedly press the B pedal about a dozen times. Then bring it up to F and do the same thing again, repeat all the way up to G#. Do this over a few minutes if need be and to be on the safe side. This was a technique I learned from the great Maurice Anderson at a lesson. It’s a long process but I rarely break them since doing this. I’ve even tuned it to G and let it sit and then finished bringing it up hours later. Obviously you can’t do this during a gig. I hate breaking the 3rd string because it is catastrophic and beyond frustrating when it decides to go.
Other things to check is to make sure the sharp wire end wrapped by the ball of the string is pointed away from the roller. If your GFI isn’t a keyless refer to this video.
https://mullenguitars.com/how-to-videos/
Or
https://mullenguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/1c99omhr4_179899.pdf
Refer to the “changing strings” section in the back
Hope this helps! |
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Bobby D. Jones
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2025 6:34 pm
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I own 2 GFI Ultra's. Been there and done that.
Be careful and check the string/string ball is in the changer finger string slot. If you shove the string/string ball down to far in the changer, The string will pull into the space/slot between the finger and the comb. Things can get down rite nasty, If pressure is applied to a string between the finger and the comb. Be sure the string/string ball is in the finger center slot, Before applying pull on the string.
Took a bamboo grill stick and some @##$$% words to get the string out from between the changer finger and comb housing. Check every string now.
Good Luck changing strings. |
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David Dorwart
From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2025 5:43 pm
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| Thanks guys. Finally got the 3rd string on. All stops are accurate. Great advice! |
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Richard Alderson
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 22 Jan 2025 8:18 pm
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Dear David - Its too bad you broke some G# strings, .11s. That's a bummer. Those G# strings can zap you easily and draw blood too. Slightly thicker gauges are available,.115s, that break less often it seems. And lots of folks substitute .12s, which also break less than .11s, and those folks also prefer the thicker sound. Otherwise however, having new strings is kind of like having a new guitar. They have a special sparkle and zest.
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Derby SD-10 5x6; GFI S-10 5x5; GFI S-10 5x5; Zum D-10 8x7; Zum D-10 9x9; Fender 400; Fender Rumble 200; Nashville 400; Telonics TCA-500.
Last edited by Richard Alderson on 26 Jan 2025 8:27 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 26 Jan 2025 5:51 am
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The bad batch of SITs .011s were reportedly .09 gauge.
Also Steel Guitar strings (.11 PG) are different than plain steel strings.
I normally tune the 3rd string to G and after awhile go to G#. like everyone says some extra wraps on the peg.
I have had better results working with SIT direct rather than Just Strings.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes
Last edited by Ken Metcalf on 27 Jan 2025 6:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Barry Yasika
From:
Bethlehem, Pa.
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Posted 27 Jan 2025 2:47 am Strings
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| I've had that problem all the time myself. I ended up switching brands to Jagwire Strings and I chose the Herbie Wallace signature set (I'm sure all sets are the same quality). That pretty much eliminated my problem, one other thing I started doing was, when I put the newer G# string on the tuning peg, I give it a lot of slack. It wraps around the tuning peg anywhere between 5 to 10 times (this actually helped a lot before I changed brands). Between both, it's rare that I break any strings anymore, I just put'em on, tune to pitch and go. Takes about 10 minutes to do the whole thing or all 10 strings. I also keep at least (10) - .11 gauge extra strings around because usually, that's the first one to go if one does go. |
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