The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

[That90'sGuy]

I just got around to cleaning up my Fender Strat and in the process, I had forgotten exactly where I had gotten the "3 finger Z method" for re-stringing a guitar from. I remember seeing it posted on here in the past, but couldn't find the thread. Taking some time to sift through it online, I stumbled back upon the original video:





Anybody opposed to "vaulting" this? This method really changed the way I tune my guitars and this method makes the entire process really easy (almost foolproof, even). I've spent years of trying other methods, but this is the easiest and most consistent method I've found that really works.

I need to give credit where credit is due: Bill Baker is the man!

Let's face it - as guitar players, every single one of us has to change strings. If you're replacing pickups in your guitar, you're definitely going to want new strings and you're going to need to know how to re-string them properly to have a good playing experience. I haven't seen something like this vaulted before and it seems like something that should be a pretty obvious addition to the forum. When I was younger, re-stringing a guitar was always a somewhat daunting experience and every person I'd bring a guitar to would do it differently and there'd always be mixed results. Good methods really make a "night and day" difference.

[Pierre]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

I cringed every time I saw him stretch the strings by letting them slap against the frets. But otherwise I guess it's just another method. Doesn't seem much or at all faster than any of the ones I've used, could be worth a try though.

[Agileguy_101]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

My method of stringing guitars? Locking tuners.

Take that, conventional wisdom!

[Mr 9finger]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

I've been doing it that way for years. Well except for like Pierre mentioned on the string stretching. I've always done that side to side instead of pulling up and letting go.

[IanBallard]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

This is the video I used to learn a good way to re-string. The only difference for me, is that I go: Low E, High E, A, B, D and then the G, because I'm weird. Actually I feel that a more even distribution of tension would help prevent warpage of the neck, especially with mahogany necks. Although now I have locking tuners on my electric but I still use this method on my acoustic.

[75lespaul]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

Bill is the guitar tech I go to. Been going to Dave's Sound in Whippany NJ for over twenty years now. Bill does great work on guitars and he took my Jesus guitar and turned it from a pile of dog doo into a great playing guitar. Very knowledgeable and him and Dave are good guys who do great work.

[Snoogles]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

2 points i would add:

1. for the D G B E strings, after the second bend, when he lifts the guitar up, i take the end of the string and wrap it back around the post and lace it under the "playing" part of the string, and then pull tight (sort of unnecessary with a locking nut, but what the heck?)



2. he forgot to take that idiotic-looking, botched-abortion Dean up to the roof and throw it into the dumpster behind his shop. i cant freak'n believe that a tree was chopped down to make that piece of excrement. and nobody's going to prison for it? un-freak'n-believalbe

[BrianS.]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

Anybody know what kind of string winder that is he is using? That's the best design I've seen and now I want one. Anybody?

[Empty Pockets]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

i use a different method to achieve the same results

yayyyy

[Mr 9finger]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

Anybody know what kind of string winder that is he is using? That's the best design I've seen and now I want one. Anybody?

Mine is similar to that and is a planet waves. It breaks into 2 pieces if you want to lock the one end in the drill and tighten them with it instead of doing it by hand.

[BrianS.]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

I checked the PW website...that's not it. I have the PW one. But, you made me get off my lazy butt and research it myself. Looks like a Dunlop TurboTune Winder:

http://shop.jimdunlop.com/ecommerce/...ID=1458http://

I'm gettin' me one...

Not sure where I got the info, but aside from the "3 finger rule" (which I will use from now on), this has been the method I've used for years with great results.

Thanks to the OP for turning me on to that string winder...

[cakire82]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

Great video. Covered all the bases.

Grab your favoritte lube and....

[Ayrton]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

Turbo Tune

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Stringwinders,_bridge_pin_pullers/Turbo_Tune.html

That is pretty much how I have been winding strings already, but good video nonetheless.

For locking nut guitars, I just string with the ball end at the tuner.

[guitfiddle]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

I disagree with that on two points. He makes the sharp bend in the twig part (the bit he's gonna clip) of the string do the holding, and then cuts off the excess, and he only winds down from his original bend.

I make the string wrap over the twig and the playing part of the string , and then each subsequent wrap goes under them...the pinch created this way has allowed me to stretch my strings tight, and then I simply move the twig back and forth until it breaks off in my hand. This means that the playing part of the string does the holding, and not the twig, which does nothing. I haven't owned a pair of clippers in over ten years.

It always breaks off at the tuner, so there is never a hint of a sharp remnant. I'll let kids touch my guitars, because I know they don't have that sharp point. And, I don't go out of tune very much at all. This method works to a T.

[That90'sGuy]

Re: The Bill Baker method of re-stringing a guitar

Just linked the second part to this, the one that covers strats and basses.