Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Collings Headstock and string winders

  1. #1

    Default Collings Headstock and string winders

    The curved shape of Collings A headstock prohibits using my guitar string winder without risk of damage to the finish or the wood. Can anyone recommend a string winder that would work?

  2. #2
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Saint Augustine Beach FL
    Posts
    6,618

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  3. #3
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Saint Augustine Beach FL
    Posts
    6,618

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Tim, glad you brought up this subject again. I just ordered the Music Nomad string winder for my self.

    If you google "mandolin string winder" you will come up with other options not mentioned in the thread as well.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  4. #4

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Thanks!

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,500

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    I only use a string winder on a slotted headstock, the way I put the strings on a solid headstock I really don't need one as it is so easy.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  6. #6

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    If you use Frank Fords method you won't need a string winder.

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
    2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
    2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
    Eastman MD 915V
    Gibson F9
    2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
    Ibanez Artist 5 string
    2001 Paul Shippey oval hole

  7. #7

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Not the least expensive solution, but I'm a big fan of Frank's Cranks.


  8. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Buck For This Useful Post:


  9. #8
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Probably the cheapest answer. Cut down a John Dunlop winder into a Jop winder. Fill the unit about half full of baking soda and drop in a few drops of CA (Superglue). Let it harden. The crank is small enough for the buttons and it won't go so far onto the button to mar the headstock. You could also grind the the part that goes over the button down and round it a bit. It would still grab the button but couldn't hit the wood on the headstock.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	jop.jpg 
Views:	58 
Size:	73.4 KB 
ID:	191434  
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  10. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    High Peak - UK
    Posts
    4,167

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Could I ask what age and model is the Collings? The shafts on the tuners on my 4 year old mandola Have different lengths so thatthey follow the concave curve of the headstock. I’m not sure that they’ve always had these. Is thisyour problem?

  11. #10
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Mike, not sure that your solution completely addresses Tim's problem. Shrinking the cavity of the winder will prevent the tuner knobs from slipping around inside it, burt won't reduce its outside dimensions, which would still possibly scratch the headstock finish. To avoid this, one would need to obtain a string winder with a smaller "business end," i.e. one made especially for mandolin.

    You're right that accommodating the smaller mandolin tuner knobs more precisely, would reduce the likelihood of the winder slipping and impacting the headstock, but a guitar string winder is still oversized for manipulating the more-closely-spaced mandolin tuners.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  12. #11
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    733

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Wildwood String Winders

    I've got one of each for Grover and Waverly tuners. They fit perfectly and no banging around the headstock. Durl is great to deal with, too.
    "Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut

  13. The following members say thank you to Kevin Winn for this post:


  14. #12
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,863

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Mike, not sure that your solution completely addresses Tim's problem. Shrinking the cavity of the winder will prevent the tuner knobs from slipping around inside it, burt won't reduce its outside dimensions, which would still possibly scratch the headstock finish. To avoid this, one would need to obtain a string winder with a smaller "business end," i.e. one made especially for mandolin.

    You're right that accommodating the smaller mandolin tuner knobs more precisely, would reduce the likelihood of the winder slipping and impacting the headstock, but a guitar string winder is still oversized for manipulating the more-closely-spaced mandolin tuners.
    That's addressed in the post Allen.

    Fill the unit about half full of baking soda and drop in a few drops of CA (Superglue). Let it harden. The crank is small enough for the buttons and it won't go so far onto the button to mar the headstock. You could also grind the the part that goes over the button down and round it a bit. It would still grab the button but couldn't hit the wood on the headstock.
    By filling the end you can't get close enough to the headstock to scratch it. The second alternative is to grind off the end and round it side to side to also keep from scratching the headstock. I've used mine for years, no scratches on the headstock because I filled the pocket to keep it from going in.

    It's still the cheapest way to get the winder.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  15. #13

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Winn View Post
    Wildwood String Winders

    I've got one of each for Grover and Waverly tuners. They fit perfectly and no banging around the headstock. Durl is great to deal with, too.
    Ditto and I use it on a Collings A.
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

  16. #14
    Registered User Lane Pryce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Asheboro,NC
    Posts
    2,281

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    What Coldbeer and Kevin said.
    J.Lane Pryce

  17. #15
    ************** Caleb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    DFW, Texas
    Posts
    3,676

    Default Re: Collings Headstock and string winders

    I noticed a while back that the headstock on my MT is getting beat up due to using a guitar string winder. It bugged me at first but now I think it looks kind of cool. YMMV.
    ...

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •