I look forward to changing strings because it is a time to reflect on what progress I have made since the last time I changed strings. Also it is a time to clean and lubricate some parts on your guitar. I will detail how I change strings on my Mullen G2. The process is basically the same for other guitars but there may be some slight differences due to the different way guitars are manufactured. I also change both necks at the same time.
Supply List
Wire Cutters
E9 Strings Use your favorite strings. I use GHS Boomers)
C6 Strings
Oil ( I use sewing machine oil. DO NOT USE WD 40 AT ALL)
Chrome polish (if needed)
Finish Polish (lacquered vs formica) Choose your poison
Rags
1. Removing Old Strings -- It may be fun to just cut strings and watch them fly around the room but it can also be dangerous too. Imagine hitting your girlfriend or significant other with a flying string. You might be cooking and sleeping by yourself for a while. I loosen the strings a lot. I then cut the strings one by one. If you really want to be safe grab a string with the wire cutters and before you snip the string put a heavy rag around the string and wire cutters to keep the string from flying around and/or scratching your fret board.
2. Guitar Cleaning -- Time to clean according to your manufacturers specification.
a. Take a dry, clean rag and wipe down the fret board.
b. Wipe down levers, pedals, pedal bar, legs, end plates and so on with a clean dry rag. Be careful there is no grit or dirt that would scratch surfaces.
c. Use your favorite cleaner recommended by your manufacturer to clean the formica or wood lacquered surfaces of your guitar.
d. If you have chrome surfaces, use a chrome polish and polish up those surfaces.
3. CLean the Nut -- No I do not mean the neighborhood nut. I mean the nut on the guitar. My roller nut comes off the guitar and I pull the rollers off and clean each one and the rod. I then put it back together and lubricate the entire assembly before placing back on the guitar.
4. Changer -- I place a drop of oil where the string connects to the changer.
5. New Strings -- I start with the E9 neck first string and work my way down. I was told when I first started to leave about 6 inches beyond the tuning head nut and cut the rest of the string away. Now my experience has not been good with that method. I was getting more slippage after I was done and my guitar would detune. Since then I leave a little more string. While it is a pain to wind on, I have stopped the slippage. I still get slippage for the first few days which is normal as the strings are stretching but I notice it is more stable quicker than before. Try it both ways and decide which you like.
Nine of the strings go one the same way and are not a problem.
The third string is a problem. I have broken third strings time and time again. This is the G# string and uses a 0.11 gauge string. If after you use the method I describe and still have difficulty then I would suggest going to a 0.12 gauge string.
Standing in front of the guitar, start with the first string and hook the one end into the changer and keep the string taut as you feed the other end through the hole in the first tuning peg. I keep about 2" of slack above the fretboard. Wind the loose end in toward you and around the string. Pull taught to the peg. Hold the slack taut and start winding pulling the string toward you to get the string to wind to the base of the peg. Continue winding until you get the string tight enough to lay across the changer and nut properly. Once you have it tight you can use the wire cutters and cut as close to the peg as you can. You do not want to leave slack that can scratch your finish.
Repeat this process for strings 2,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10. For the third string, the trick I learned was to wrap the string around itself the opposite way. Instead of wrapping the string in front of the guitar, wrap it behind the guitar and pull taut. The next thing to do with the third string is pull the string away from you and get the string to wrap toward the outer end of the peg. Don't worry you will not run out of room. Finish off the rest. The real test will be when you get ready to tune when done.
Complete this process for both necks. The third string problem is ONLY a problem for the E9 neck.
Once you are done, put away all of your supplies and discard old strings.
No you are ready to tune your guitar. If you need help tuning see
Tuning A Pedal Steel Guitar
If you get it tuned without breaking the third string then your good to go.
Tips:
- After you are done playing always wipe your strings down with a dry cloth to keep grit, dirt, and salt off your strings.
- After you are done playing wipe down your finger picks and slide.
- When you change strings, write down your accomplishments since your last time changing strings. This helps you realize just exactly how much you have learned. This instrument takes a long time to learn and sometimes it feels like you are not getting anywhere. Hang in there before you know it your sounding good. You will impress yourself.
As always if you have questions ask me and I will find an answer if I don't know it. If you find an error or missing information let me know so I can correct it.
This is all for now. It is back to the steel and try to get down my lessons!
