Anyone hate changing strings more than me?

[JTMartin]

Ok, go ahead and call me a whiner. I just changed the strings on three of my guitars and actually enjoyed it, now I'm about to change strings on my mando and dread it. Much more of a hassle although the end result is just as rewarding. Figured this would give me a reason to stop after the first four strings to check replies.

[MikeEdgerton]

I can think of one person that might.

[BJones]

The only time I don't hate changing strings (guitar, bass or mandolin...it doesn't matter) is when it gets me out of a chore my wife wants me to do!

[GVD]

I would rather change the strings on 10 guitars than once on a mandolin!

GVD

[Ken Feil]

I would rather have a root canal!

[jim simpson]

I always manage to jab a fingertip with a string end.

[bluegrassman3.0]

OH! What we do for love!

[sgarrity]

I used to hate it until I got a mandolin with a James Tailpiece. That makes it an absolute joy. I kid you not!

[JTMartin]

Got the first four changed. Didn't actually take this long. It took 5 minutes to stop the bleeding on my ring finger and another 5 to find a band-aid that was suppose to be in the medicene cabinet. Another 5 was spent getting motivated to finish the job. And that was just on the wound strings!

[woodwizard]

I always heard that Big Mon always got his money's worth out of a set of strings. When they went a little dead I heard he'd just raise the action a little higher. Maybe he didn't like changing em either.

[Phillip Tigue]

Could be worse...this could be the forum at www.autoharpcafe.com

[frankenstein]

Just sell it and buy a new one.

[Stephen Lind]

i used to until i got one of Lynn's pegwinders

DUDE

[Chris Biorkman]

I used to, then I started using coated strings and change them much more infrequently now.

[Patrick Sylvest]

Sometimes, but not all. Then again.

[jim_n_virginia]

Take your mandolin into most any music shop and they will be happy to change your strings for $10-$15 dollars plus the cost of the strings.

I've got my string changing down to a routine and it only takes me about 15 minutes to change strings.

Now changing the oil on my trucks I don't like!

[Michael Cameron]

i used to until i got one of Lynn's pegwinders

DUDE

You know,those Dude winders do take some of the drudgery out of the chore.
They work very nicely/easily.

I'm gonna time myself changing mandolin strings; start to finish.

Go!

[Michael Cameron]

Done. I didn't hurry. About 25 minutes,while watching tv.

Only drew blood once(thumb).

[woodwizard]

You know,those Dude winders do take some of the drudgery out of the chore.
They work very nicely/easily.

I'm gonna time myself changing mandolin strings; start to finish.

Go!

Yup! those Dude string winders are something else. I love mine. They really do make string changes much easier don't they. Just the perfect fit for my mando buttons.

[mandozilla]

I too dread changing my mando strings...I'd rather slam my hand in a car door 3 times than do this chore.

But, over time I've found a few things that make this chore less painful and/or frustrating;

1.) I use a B**jo capo to hold each sting in place while I wrap/tie the string
to the post.
2.) I use rounded wooden toothpicks jammed into the hole where the string
passes thru the tail piece (I got an Allen) to keep the loop from backing
out after I've wrapped/tied it in place. I hate when that happens!
3.) I NEVER, EVER, trim/clip the strings until they are all in place...helps
reduce the hypodermic effect.
4.) Finally, I always take a couple of shots of old No. 7 before hand...well,
and sometimes afterwards to relax me and deaden the pain.

[Bertram Henze]

Ok, go ahead and call me a whiner.

You asked for it.

Thinking back, what I really hated was changing strings on my long-scale tenor-tuned tenor banjo, with the A-string tension just short of breaking - it was like defusing a bomb.

Mandolins are carefree in comparison. Patience is the key, be cool and professional like a surgeon - no sudden hand movements. You're supposed to love your instrument and to enjoy maintenance work on it. Use a string cleaner after playing and strings will keep longer.

Bertram

[Rod_Neep]

OK... someone has to put the opposing view on this.

I make a special occasion of changing strings on my valued intruments. I set a little time aside to give them some TLC (tender loving care) and rejoice in a special intimate and relaxing time with them. Its kind of like grooming your favourite animal or brushing your partner's hair.

As each string (or pair) comes off the instrument, give a little attention to grooming the fingerboard and checking the whole instrument over. The instrument sure appreciates the attention and responds accordingly. For just a few dollars/pounds one can make a huge difference. I enjoy doing it. Its far from being a chore. (I always take the string packet, write today's date on it, and put it into the case compartment, so that I can keep a real check on things when I need to).

Now on the other hand, (just to illustrate that I'm not totally anal), my car sits with road gunk over it for months, and my man cave always has piles of "stuff" all over the place

Rod

[Ravenwood]

My wife plays harp and hammered dulcimer ....

Everything is relative.

[Jim DeSalvio]

Once I figured out a good system for changing the mando stirngs, I now enjoy it. It is a bit more difficult than a guitar, but worth the effort. I am not even afraid to remove all the stirngs at one time, if I need to do some clean up work! The type of tailpiece seems to make a big difference.

Mando Zen for me..................

[Bernie Daniel]

If your pick grip and right hand technique are right you never have to change strings.