A strange contraption for measuring and installing new strings

[poul hansen]

After seeing the tip for string change, about winding around the tuner post a few times, I went straight to the mandolin that needed new strings BUT it had a slotted head and the method didn't really work so I invented this contraption, out of a capo and a spoke from a bicycle fender/mudguard and a piece of elastic.

I cut away all the rubber on the capo, except a piece in the middle, so it only touches the fretboard in the middle.

Initial string length is adjusted by moving the plasticbracket up or down the steel spoke.

The string loop is placed at the endpiece, then the string is fed under the capo but on the hook on the elastic, then through the hole in the tuner axle.
The string is pulled tight, until the elastic starts stretching then the tuner button is wound until the string touches the fretboard, then the hook is released.

During winding, you have a hand free to make the winding look nice and the string is held on the endpiece by tension all the time and is guided on the nut, by going under the capo . AND you get the same amount of windings every time. ;-)

[TheMandoKit]

Umm, OK. I can see how it would work, and maybe make for more of a "one hand" operation to wind the string once threaded. Seems like the spoke/vertical axis could be a good bit shorter and still function pretty much the same.

ATC, think I'll stick to my current method using just fingers. 🤷 Interesting idea, though.

[Bob Gnann]

A solution looking for a problem?

[Mark Gunter]

I have grown to detest string changes on slot heads. Applaud your efforts, but this doesn’t make the task appear any more appealing to me

[Hudmister]

Reminds me of a British sports car. Why use a single part when three parts can do the same job. Using a capo is always helpful when changing strings just to hold the string loop tight in the tailpiece. I find a battery powered string winder to be very helpful and time saving.

[poul hansen]

OK, let's just close this thread, I can't delete it.

[CarlM]

Ruben Goldberg is smiling from above.

[allenhopkins]

Poul, I applaud your inventiveness; changing strings on slotted headstocks is a task I dread. Luckily, I have only a couple slotted-head instruments, and they're older guitars -- easier than mandolins, plus two fewer strings. And one 19th-century "minstrel" banjo, with nylon strings that only need to be changed once a decade (at least, that's my position, and I'm stickin' to it!).

I'll never really understand why some instruments -- classical guitars, e.g. -- are routinely made with slotted headstocks. It's "tradition," but so what? Let all the "Tevyes" out there, come over to my house and restring my slotted-head instruments.

[John Flynn]

C'mon guys! You know if he listed it on Amazon and he got a few endorsements on this site, they'd sell. Look at all the crazy devices discussed here over the years. Some of them are still selling strong. To paraphrase H. L. Mencken, "You can never go broke underestimating mandolin players."

I won't name any of the devices I'm thinking of, because I'd get flamed by people who've bought them, just proving my point.