Changing strings

MartinBush · February 2023

Hi all

I plan to put some new strings on my acoustic soon. Last time I changed strings on an acoustic was decades ago and, while I am relatively competent, I wanted to ask a couple of things.

Is there a specific tool or method for removing the pegs? last time I did it I will have reached for the nearest thing to me that could act as a lever to prise out any that were troublesome. Something tells me this is not the way to do it

Second, how should I clean the fretboard? I suspect it's not rosewood but some lighter wood that's been dyed to some extent.

Thanks

Jonathangus · February 2023

Get one of these. The notch in the bit that goes over the tuning peg is for pulling the bridge pins.

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/string-winders-c474/jim-dunlop-string-winder-for-changing-guitar-strings-p7596

(Also they seem to be a proper bargain at the mo .

)

munckee · February 2023

I would follow this:

really useful video for me.

Tannin · February 2023

Do not lever the pins out!

Put your hand inside the soundhole and push each pin up with your finger. (I keep a thimble in my kit for doing this if one is a bit stiff.) Press down gently on the top to relieve the pressure if need be. (Guitar tops are very strong, but also easily cracked. Be gentle!)

If you need to, you can also use a peg-pulling tool (best to get a nylon one so as not to damage your top or bridge). Use that as well as pushing up if need be. (Mostly you won't need to.)

PS: not my idea. @ICBM said to do this and it is a winner. I'll never lever a peg out again.

bertie · February 2023

if you're going to use a "tool" from the top put a cloth/duster/hanky over the wood of the bridge - extra protection

and YES clean the fretboard, do it on every string change

MartinBush · February 2023

Cheers chaps.

I get the idea about the pins. Like I said, this was the younger me that used to use a screwdriver or scissors (yes, really).

About cleaning the fretboard, I wasn't clear what I meant. It was more how to do it. I have some Dunlop oil which I'd use on the rosewood board I have on an electric, but would it be OK for this unknown wood? It's a Yamaha so not junk, I just wonder what the right approach is.

bertie · February 2023

MartinBush said:

About cleaning the fretboard, I wasn't clear what I meant. It was more how to do it. I have some Dunlop oil which I'd use on the rosewood board I have on an electric, but would it be OK for this unknown wood? It's a Yamaha so not junk, I just wonder what the right approach is.

if its bare wood, yes - clean any gunk (dead skin/dirt) off with either a very stiff toothbrush and some spirit on a cloth or if its bad some very gentle scraping with something plastic (credit card) but dont mark the wood

, then polish/oil as normal

MartinBush · February 2023

Cheers. It is in no way mucky... well, not from what I can see. I bet I will be surprised!

bertie · February 2023

MartinBush said:

Cheers. It is in no way mucky... well, not from what I can see. I bet I will be surprised!

then just a quick wipe over, and light oil

Mellish · February 2023

If the board is bare wood, avoid Dr Duck's Ax Wax.

It would instantly darken the wood and it's irreversible.

Snags · February 2023

Pins: I just push the loosened strings down into the hole which releases the ball end and then the pins just lift out freely.

Mellish · February 2023

@Snags ; same here. Detuned, push slackened string down into the guitar body which almost always lets you pull the pins out.

If you get an awkward one, push up from inside.

But @bertie there made a very good point about protecting the guitar top. In my early years I made a real mess of a guitar top trying to lever out tight pins

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