Thanks for being willing to show your struggles in this process. It’s very encouraging to know I’m not the only one that struggles with the same tuners. 12 + years & I still have the same frustrations😆
Changing strings with these machine heads is really a pain. It took me almost two hours to change strings. Good to know that I'm not the only one who's having difficulities. Thanks!
HERE IS HOW TO GET RID OF the ''POPPING STRINGS''... this only work with the 2 small strings. Take the tip of your string and bend it to form a ''V'' of about half inch long. ( enough to put in the post ) . Take the ''V'' shape string tip and put it in the hole and this way the string will not pop out since it will kinda grip in the post ( kinda fishing hook ) . You'll have no more problem winding your string ! I've been doing this for years now and never had a problem ! LIKE THIS COMENT IF YOU TRYED IT AND LIKED IT !!
Dude, you have just shone a light on my life. Got a Fender Marauder with these suckers on the top and I spent four hours the other night trying to tune it and I ended up sleeping on my shift at work. Thank you so much for this
Thanks a million! Just bought a guitar for my son with these machine heads and didn't have a clue how to string it until your informative video! Worked first time! E and B as you said you need to apply tension all the way to winding it tight which does hurt your fingers but works!
I recently bought my first tele and they have these tuners. It was all new to me so thanks for the vid! I saw the trouble you had with the smaller strings popping out. Sure enough it happened right away with my 1st try on the G string. So i stuck it back into the tuner and THEN MANUALLY WRAPPED IT AROUND THE TUNING PEGS FIRSTon the smaller strings before attempting to wind. It worked great and I had zero trouble with the strings popping out. Give it a try.
Watched your video, put my own spin on it, used a bamboo skewer stick with the sharpened end securing the string. Worked first time. Thanks for your video!
I am about to restring my G&L tele, it's been years, and glad I found this video. Great clear closeup, good banter, and the mishaps are very instructive.
Toothpick in the hole with the B and E strings until completely tightened and tuned is a must! This was my first time stringing an electric guitar and obviously first time with tuners like this and I got the B and E strings done on first attempt using a toothpick
What I find also helps as you get to working on these is to use your index finger, as you did, as a guide for the string at the capstan (that's the technical name for the actual string post) while pulling up on the string with the thumb from the same hand. It applies some necessary tension to the string and makes the process slightly less annoying. As with most things, the more you do this, the better and more fluid you become.
I have a new Guild 12 string (F512) with these type of Gotoh tuners on it. The first time I changed the strings I thought I would go crazy. This video and the comments of the other viewers have been really helpful. Thank you!
I like the fact that you showed how the B & E strings are a pain and you did not edit. I apply a lot of thumb pressure when performing this operation. I own a lot of Telecsters.
Tip for the B & E strings: before inserting, bend back the last 4 or 5mm to create a fishhook-like V in the end. This will help prevent pop out when winding up.
Thanks for this. I just decided to restring my '72 Deluxe Tele for the first time since i bought it. The tuning pegs had me buggered. This video helped. Cheers mate.
Thanks Shane, first time I attempted to replace strings and failed miserably , thought it was just me but apparently not looking at comments . Just waiting for more strings to arrive and winder ! Thanks for video and unedited just to prove experienced people like yourself have trouble sometimes .
Thank you so much. I actually started with the first string. I never have stringed a guitar before and I thought I was just an idiot. I'm relieved that it is a common problem and not just me.
By the nine bless this video! I have a Fender Squier Jaguar and I couldn't restring it because none of the videos were helpful at all. Thank you so much for this. THANK YOU. I literally cried out of frustration so many times because of that damn guitar. It was so nice to see someone else a little annoyed with how the strings could pop out for no real reason. Thank you so much for this video!
The theory is that our musical and creative centers are in our Right Brain. As we all work out of the opposite side of our brain with dominant hands, etc., Left handed people have better access to those centers. Plus you can say that you are always in your right mind. Thanks again for the vid. Nice guitar BTW.
I just bought a Classic Vibe strat and need to change the strings and looked it up on RU-vid. I just clicked the first video without looking at what channel it was, and heard your voice, and immediately recognized your voice. Good job on making great content this long!
I love these types of tuners. I actually never understood what people say about strings popping off until I found this video. I just like that the string ends are automatically hidden and won't poke my fingers. With modern tuners, I'm always afraid of cutting the string off when I try to cut the end of the strings as close to the post as possible.
I'm glad you posted this, your frustrations taught me to prepare for a tough going, and I had no idea how to start with these (inserting the string in the hole and bending through the slot). I had an idea to stick a wooden match stick in the hole to hold the E and B strings in place...couldn't find a match though, but I found a wire "twistie" (the thing they give you to close your garbage bag) worked. Mine was paper wrapped and not plastic which I think gave a better grip, and I folded it in half to get the right thickness. Stuck that in the hole behind the string and it worked like a charm!
Great reality show. I was drawn in by the action (pun intended), was gripped by the drama, laughed a bit and then exhilarated by the finale! ;) Bravo on seeing it through! Rock on ~ CHEERS!
Hi Shane , Bought a new nash Tele and original 66 was all thumbs simple when you know how Great video . Helped massively . Thanks for taking the time to share the knowledge
I’m so glad you posted this years ago Shane! I just got an American Performer Tele with these same tuners. I had no clue how to restring it properly. Thanks for posting this buddy!
Thanks for sharing. I was not sure how to restring mine until I saw this video. Try using a short piece of the A string to hold the B and high E in place.
Being a bass player before picking up the guitar, I am blessed that these posts pose no issue for me. however, I can absolutely see where a regular guitar player more attuned to Schaller-style tuners may get incredibly frustrated with the split post!
Have to say as an oldtimer Fender Esquire 1966/ Strat ditto owner I have never ever had any problems with this "poppingoutthingy", (having this said, I bet it's gonna happen for the first time next time I change strings:) Listen, just give the dang string a sharper angel after sticking it into that hole (don't read it like that;) and you can keep enough tension with your under your thumb aprox at the A-string level while tuning up! This is the best tunersolution anyone has ever come up with! I'm still stunned with all this new lockingtunershit, two holes, locking from front and behind...even Gibson hasn't got it. Believe me, Klusons or 70ths Fender tuners rules! I wish I had Klusons with a "stick it down the pipe" solution on all my Gibsons too.....but as far as I know they don't make the in 3+3 style:( Love you video!! Cheers
When I do it on this kind of tuner, I put a wrap or two on it by taking the string around it by hand. This often helps get started. Another trick I made up was using an acoustic bridge saddle in the slot after you've put the string in. this holds it in place until you can get tension on it.
Thank you. I have a couple G&L guitars that have the same type of tuning system and always had an issue string these up because of how open they are on the top. I restrung both guitars last night and was done in 5 minutes each. I did not have the issues you did with the E,B, G strings popping out though. Thanks again!
I just strung my classic vibes tele and I naturally figured this out i just wanted to see if i did it correctly seeing as its my first time with these kinds of tuning keys. Nice vid
I picked up a ‘52 Hot Rod Telecaster a while back and love these tuners. I ran through our set 4 times without having to tune once. I’ve found that inserting the string and wrapping it once by hand tightly around the post before winding keeps them locked in place.
To add to the great suggestion just below, I have these kind of tuners on my guitar, Grovers in my case. I put the string through the hole until it bottoms out. Then I bend it as sharply as I can, so the string is lying right alongside the outside of the tuner's post. Then I hold the string taught with my index finger right next to the tuner as I start winding. When the post has made almost a full turn, I slide my finger a little bit back from the post, still maintaining tension, so I don't knock the string out again. The only string that gives me trouble is the low E. After I've put it down the hole and made the sharp bend, I bend it even sharper with pliers. Then it doesn't pop out.
I have a love hate thing with these for just this reason Saw several comments on using a toothpick. That's freaking brilliant. Thank you all for throwing in that comment.
This was really helpful. For the B and E strings I tried putting a small bit of blu tak over the top of the post and it worked a treat, just enough to prevent any pop outs and easy to take off after it's all wound.
+thistlesdm try this buddy ... Take the tip of your string and bend it to form a ''V'' of about half inch long. ( enough to put in the post ) . Take the ''V'' shape string tip and put it in the hole and this way the string will not pop out since it will kinda grip in the post ( kinda fishing hook ) . You'll have no more problem winding your string !
When changing the top E and B strings, bend the free end as shown, insert into tuner then push a matchstick into the tuner hole to hold the string in place. Works every time, no more strings popping out!
+Stewart Lythe I've just done this and it worked first time!!! Cheers!!!! I was just about to launch my re-issue tele though the 'kin window before i resorted to youtube ....
I know this is even more ghetto. But a q-tip broke in half and then put the stick part in the hole. It worked xD I'm assuming more of us have q-tips than matches o.o
Completely agree. Also, I like to manually wrap the strings (just the high E mostly) a few times around the peg and then keep it tense as I'm winding it. Although I have to say this dude's a lot calmer than I was when effing up changing the strings.
awesome video man, i too had problems with this sort of tuners , with the b and the e,but what i do is the b and e,i do the first two binding by hand and thne keep pressure like you are doing, just a tip,it has helped me,again liked your video :)
I have a 55 reissue and I never have this popping out problem, that being said, I always pre bend the strings (sharply with pliers) where they touch the post which seems to give them a much better grip on the corner and better dispensed pressure to hold it into place.
LOL! Man, your vid is great! I'm so pleased I changed my vintage tuners to locking ones, you show the same I had with B and E - so many string, so much money down the pan.
I've been doing this for 25 years mate, the important thing is the orientation of the slot on the top of the tuner. If it is facing away from the hand holding the string down, it allows you to put the string in and get a half wind around that top notch kinking it at the Tuner prior to pinning the string with your Thumb, securing it for the wind. Follow?? Stick with it mate, these are superior in my opinion to all other Vintage Tuners and Kiddy Safe ie no pricks from the string ends, and Leo made em, which is reason enough for me... Fender Official Vintage keys. For these, you'll want to pre-cut the strings to achieve the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the sixth string (tautly, remember) to the fourth key and cut it. Pull the fifth string to the third key and cut it. Pull the fourth string between the second and first keys and cut it. Pull the third string nearly to the top of the headcap and cut it. Pull the second string about a 1/2" (13 mm) past the headcap and cut it. Finally, pull the first string 1 1/2" (38 mm) past the top of the headcap and cut it. Insert into the center hole in the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90-degree angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being careful to prevent overlapping of the strings.
G'day mate, I picked up a Squier CV50s Tele recently (not bad for a cheapie) & this video helped me out tremendously. I really enjoy your videos mate keep it up :)
I remember when I stressed stringing up on a regular guitar and then began to enjoy the process, but now I have one of these vintage pegs and not looking forward to re stringing
Thank you for this. It was actually a big help watching it not go perfectly for you because I was extra careful and it worked out the first time. For the high e and b strings, I kinda crimped and roughed the ends up to give them some grip. Anyways, great video!
Just changed my strings using the toothpick method, and done! I like to use the manual wind vice the speed wind in the video. No Slips, 9 to 42s on a strat, colbalts. I would caution that you need to make sure that you don't thread your strings under the previous string. Had to back off on one string because of that. Also, for a strat, you need to make sure that the string is in the right place on the saddle. Bottom line, Utube helped me to get this done.
There are 2 things I do to help. I have the shorter vintage style pegs on my guitar which really makes it a pain in the arse to tune up. I find that if I put a fold in the string and then put it in the hole, then insert a small screwdriver into the hole as well, you can tune it up without it popping out and then carefully remove the small screwdriver. The friction of the string wound around the peg will be enough to prevent the tension from pulling out the string along with the screwdriver.
You just got a new subber! I don't use Telecasters but I know someone who uses them and helped him a lot. The other videos on your channel are awesome too! Btw i just LOVE your accent! Gives my chills ever time i watch your videos! A pain in my aaaarrrse! It's so great! :-D Cheers! :-)
Here is a tip for the B and E strings. Bend the very tip of that will allow you to coil some of the string inside the hole. This helped me keep it from popping out.
Thanks for the video! Found the way how to deal with popping out strings, just hook small black office clothespin right into the slot, it will keep the string.
Thanks so much for the vid. Just got a tele after being used to playing and maintaining a Les Paul (studio that is). It took me hours (literally) to figure out how to properly set up 1 single coil pickup. I'm fairly certain I figured it out though after much time. If it wasnt for this video I'd be messing up perfectly good strings as well. Thanks again for the video tutorial.
No problems at all with my G&L asat on the 2 high strings. I always make a right angle bend before I start winding the string.... it may help you to try. Anyway... good video, I'm sure it's helped many.
Glad I'm not the only one who struggles with those damn B and high E strings. Great idea to start on those without cutting excess string off, I will try that when I re-string next week. I get nervous when my strings get rusty because I know the pain in the ass of restringing is on the horizon. Ha.
I actually love this style of tuning machine head. I find the best way to go is to press down with your thumb near the tuner and use your little finger to create a little bit of tension on the part of the string below your thumb by pulling it away from the guitar, then just wind the tuner and allow it to pull your little finger in.
Thank you very much. About the B and the E-string. I tried to make a a bow at the end of the string after cutting it. When the string is doubble, it won't pop up that easy. Hope this is usefull for you out there.
This is how I do the b and e string.. You set the grove at an angle of 90 to the fret board, so you can get a good sharp bend in the string, then just put it under the string guard and keep tension on the sting by pulling it up while you turn them nobs.
These are so much neater than pull throughs. Yes they are Abit fiddlier to install but when I had my first guitar with these tuners I was so happy to not have to clip or fold excess string. Just me 😉
I just bought a 60s road worn strat, for the b & high e I cut them and wind it with out putting it in the hole, just hold it in the opening sideways in the peg. Then loosen it, and tuck the piece into the hole then tighten it. Seemed to work just fine.
Broke my E string yesterday and thought I was mentally deficient. Now I see I'm just one of the guys. Will definitely try the insight in the comment below.
i put them into the tuners then put the string under the string tree and slightly pull up on the string over the fret board and the string tree keeps a downward pressure on the tuner at all times. works like a champ and they rarely ever pop out
I use a variant of the Uncle Duke method. Mark where you'll trim the string. Bend back at the mark to about 45 degrees. Trim the excess by Duke's handy "1 fingernail". Now you can push the Vee down into the hole without a toothpick. Once it's in there, the Vee opens to hold the string in the hole by spring tension, and you wind. I also trim plain strings a bit longer than the wound, since it takes more windings to get the string wrapped down the post securely for a good down angle at the nut.
For the E and B you can wedge a toothpick in the slot as you push in the string then pull it out when the the string is tight,be careful not to break the toothpick off as you pull it out,the other way is to wedge a small piece of cardboard into the slot after inserting the string
+twoslices try this buddy Take the tip of your string and bend it to form a ''V'' of about half inch long. ( enough to put in the post ) . Take the ''V'' shape string tip and put it in the hole and this way the string will not pop out since it will kinda grip in the post ( kinda fishing hook ) . You'll have no more problem winding your string !
great video. thanks, just got a squier classic vibe strat with theses tuners. glad i watched vid before attempting to change strings. hopefully now i can avoid the dreaded pain in the arse. nice one.
Try bending the string past 90 degrees in a sharp bend like a number 7. It does help stop it popping out and helps it wind the right way. I have found this helps me anyway.
thanks i got a classic vibe stratocaster yast lear and this video really helped me out. i hate these tuners so much but i dont want to change them because i haven't seen to many more like this one its specail. anyways thanks for the video
I learned that putting a unused rivet in the hole, because it has a nail like body with a flange after inserting string and holding it down while winding works, just be slow withdrawing the rivet. Also since I got the electric winder it goes fast so wire doesn't have a chance to pop out during pauses in winding.
When I tune my guitars, I do the first wind so that it goes over the top of the string, and then wind the rest below. I think that this would work well with vintage tuners because it should theoretically hold the end down into the hole while you tighten it.
I used the method described by crazyuncleduke9. Jammed a round toothpick in the hole. For the first time, I strung the guitar up by myself and it worked the first time with no slippage. Clip the tip of the toothpick first and you can really wedge it in.. I can't believe how easy it went.
