The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #100967   Message #2034911
Posted By: Songster Bob
24-Apr-07 - 08:56 PM
Thread Name: Guitar Strings: Elixir rant - THEY STINK!
Subject: RE: Elixir rant - THEY STINK!
Stringing suggestion, no matter the brand:

Always make sure to have enough windings around the post when you reach "tight." Don't start with the string going straight through and only about one turn before you get the strings tightened. I always put my hand under the strings and spread my fingers upwards, to get some slack. Then I hold the string against the fingerboard whilst turning the peg, till there's a kink that will hold the string. Then I tighten to pitch.

I usually want two or three turns for the 5th & 6th strings, and at least four for the others. The reason you want to do this is that the place where the string kinks is automatically a weak spot. If there's no spare string wound around the peg, the tension is concentrated on this weakness, and pop! goes the weasel (as you pay out for another string). Enough windings spreads the tension around the peg, so the kink doesn't become a break-point.

Bob