Your preferred method of string winding

[NotCardio]

I know, there are about as many opinions about this as there are people, but let me hear yours.

There's almost nothing I hate associated with the guitar EXCEPT putting new strings on. I put off fretboard cleaning and even swapping pickups all because I HATE changing strings so much.

So let me hear YOUR tried and true winding methods. Are you an 'over' or an 'under'? Bend or not? Tuck or no? How many winds on each string? Does it differ on whether it's a 3+3, or an inline 6?

FWIW, I'm ready to string up an old Epi SG that I'm just going to sell or trade off, so I don't want to have to do this one again.

And I'm sure this has already been done ad nauseam, but hey, beating a dead horse is what I do best.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

many of my guitars have locking tuners but on the ones that dont, i put one wrap over and the rest under. usually two or three under for wound strings and three or four for the plain strings

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

many of my guitars have locking tuners but on the ones that dont, i put one wrap over and the rest under. usually two or three under for wound strings and three or four for the plain strings

Do you bend the end?

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

No special techniques really. Each string gets about 3 wraps around the post. One over, the rest under.


But I'm a big fan of six in line tuners for string changes. I like to change strings while watching TV or doing something else . . . and have on several occasions had a brain fart carelessly wrapping the string the wrong direction for three tuners on a 3+3.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

Sounds like something I would do.

I've always done more wraps that you guys. I guess just paranoid about not getting enough to hold, and having to redo them. Can't put more back on after you've cut it.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

And again, do you bend the end or not?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I don't really understand your distaste for changing strings. I set up guitars for people for free all the time, and it is no trouble at all to change a set of strings. You do, at least, have a cheap little plastic string winder don't you? I don't bother with Over/under wraps or the knot tying that some people do. I have never noticed a difference in tuning stability with those techniques and just winding about 2 to 3 wraps around the post in a downward pattern. Tuning problems are almost never a result of string winding. I put a little less wrap on the Low E and A string than the others. Nothing makes me happier than taking a badly set-up guitar with fretboard/fret crud and rusted strings and cleaning/polishing and restringing it with a perfect setup and watching the look on the owner's face when they play it afterward.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I don't know why either. But for me, it's right up there with ironing and doing the dishes.

I actually enjoy fretboard cleaning, when my back is up to it. It's just changing strings. Probably one of the reasons I've never kept a 12 string for very long.

And I can't find any of my little winders. I do still have a powered one though.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

Over under wrap with about 2 wraps and turn the end back on itself on the wound strings to prevent core slippage and on smaller G, B, and E to prevent losing an eyeball.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

many of my guitars have locking tuners but on the ones that dont, i put one wrap over and the rest under. usually two or three under for wound strings and three or four for the plain strings

Exactly what I do. The best for string changing is the Steinberger, which uses double-ball strings. They go between 2 slots, and with 1/2 turn of the knob you are in tune.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I don't know why either. But for me, it's right up there with ironing and doing the dishes.

I actually enjoy fretboard cleaning, when my back is up to it. It's just changing strings. Probably one of the reasons I've never kept a 12 string for very long.

And I can't find any of my little winders. I do still have a powered one though.

Ya know, putting the dishes directly into the dishwasher instead of on the sink makes the whole process a whole lot faster and easier.

As for winding strings, I just use locking tuners and bend the excess back and forth until it breaks off. It's quick, easy, and doesn't require any tools.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I don't know why either. But for me, it's right up there with ironing and doing the dishes.

I actually enjoy fretboard cleaning, when my back is up to it. It's just changing strings. Probably one of the reasons I've never kept a 12 string for very long.

And I can't find any of my little winders. I do still have a powered one though.

Sounds like Elixirs or D'Addario EXPs were a match made in heaven for you. I'd avoid Ernie Ball Everlasts though, they are crappy

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I've only used Elixirs on an acoustic. I really liked them.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I've only used Elixirs on an acoustic. I really liked them.

Yeah, they're great, but D'Addario EXP Bronze/Phosphor are even better sounding -but don't last as long hanging on a wall as the Elixirs -either are a great choice.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

What jeremy said.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

i dont bend anything so im not sure what you mean. i stick it through, wrap it once on top, once under then turn the knob till its in tune, cut the excess close to the post. once all six are on i stretch the strings and tune em up

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

i dont bend anything so im not sure what you mean. i stick it through, wrap it once on top, once under then turn the knob till its in tune, cut the excess close to the post. once all six are on i stretch the strings and tune em up

A lot of guys will stick it through, cut it off at about a finger's length, then bend what's sticking out down and wrap the turns aound it so it won't slip back out. I've always just bent it in the direction I'm going to turn, so that it doesn't slip while I'm making the wraps.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

nope, no bending for me then. i play 11's in standard tuning, play hard, and dont have tuning issues

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

I have a Fender Deluxe thats straight 6 with Schaeller lockers with Graphtech saddles and nut -and it mades it through several flights and a gig without needing tuning -I was amazed how stable it is. Also have a Pedulla LP Special style with 3 and 3 tunomatic bridge, bone nut and Grover 14:1s which sometimes goes months without needing tuning even when bending a lot.

So I think a good guitar set up professional or properly with good hardware should be fine either method, 3 and 3s have pressure at the nut from the angled headstock -and 6ers have the string trees -either work well if done right. Can't say one is better IME.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Your preferred method of string winding

many of my guitars have locking tuners but on the ones that dont, i put one wrap over and the rest under. usually two or three under for wound strings and three or four for the plain strings

Exactly this.

For decades I bent a Z to keep strings on place that left a mm excess after cutting. Only a year or two ago I started to keep the end straight. No excess after clipping.