The Art of Stringing a Guitar

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Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

The Art of Stringing a Guitar

In another post, Miguel was talking about a method I use to string the trebles (and basses for that matter) that may be a bit unique to you. I am here to tell you, if you are using the old "wrap the trebles two or three times method" you are playing with fire. It's just a matter of time before a treble string slips and puts an inch long divot in the top behind the bridge. The reason I know this, is I did it to a very fine guitar years ago and have seen numerous others with a big slice in the top.

With the method I use to tie the trebles, it's all but impossible for this to happen, and besides it looks cool and clean. The trick is to melt a ball on the end of the trebles. I do this away from the guitar. If the string slips, it just pulls up to the ball and stops. OK here's how it's done:

http://www.schrammguitars.com/tutorial.html

I tie my basses the same as the pictures with only one wrap. You don't need two, trust me. The only thing I do different is to bend the tag end of the bass strings up so they don’t point down towards the top of the guitar. If you have the bass tag ends pointed down like the pictures, eventually it will ding the top.

One other thing I do is place several "3 M Post It" sticky notes behind the bridge while I am changing strings and bringing them up to pitch. I also use a "string bib" that is available from www.stringsbymail.com.

Sounds like a pain, but it’s not. I can change a set of strings in minutes. I get enough dings on my guitars just playing them, no sense adding more.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2005 17:51:03

Escribano

Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: The Art of Stringing a Guitar (in reply to Patrick)

Yep, I melt the trebles too but make sure you melt the string before you thread it i.e. off the guitar. Some old guitars bear the marks of globs of melting nylon on the soundboard.... apparently.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 23 2005 19:33:13

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: The Art of Stringing a Guitar (in reply to Patrick)

I am preparing to change my strings from my trusty D'Addario hards, to the Savarez Corum Alliance (what an impressive sounding name). I am sitting here staring at Schramm's string tutorial, but it is just not clicking. This tutorial is absolutely incomprehensible. I think I was in better shape in Cub Scouts trying to figure out how to make the knots from the diagram in the manual. These pictures are not very helpful!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2005 2:50:18

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: The Art of Stringing a Guitar (in reply to Patrick)

Miguel and others. I know it looks a bit confusing, but once you get it, it takes about 10 seconds to do.

Here are the steps:

1 Melt a ball on the treble stings away from the guitar

2 Pass the non-balled end through the tie block from the back

3 Leave about two inches of string extending out the back of block (the balled end)

4 Bring the balled end up and over the tie block and pass it under the string at the front of the tie block from the bass side

5 Bring the balled end up and back over the tie block towards the back of the block

6 This is the tricky part. Thread the balled end under the part that first passed over the block from the "bass side" so the ball end is sticking straight up.

7 Pull the string tight so about ¼ inch of the ball end is sticking straight up

Be sure and keep the ball end part at the back of the tie block when you pull it down. If the string slips, it just pulls up against the ball and doesn’t ding up the top.

If you are using Carbons or composites you better learn this method. They are very thin and hard to get to hold with the old method. Sooner or later, they will slip.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2005 18:01:56