D'Aquisto Quick Restring Method
An important note: this method is for standard, non-locking tuners, just regular good old-fashioned low technology tuning gears, just the way I like ‘em. There are lots of ways to do this, but this one comes from a good source, and works well for me. Let me describe what we are trying to achieve here before we get to the actual technique: each string should be wound so that the end that goes through the hole is on top, and the end that leads to the nut is on the bottom. The string only goes through the hole once, and never crisscrosses itself. The E and A strings should have 2 or 3 windings at pitch, the D and G (if wound) strings should have 3 or 4 windings at pitch, and the unwound G, B and E strings should have 4 or 5 windings when tuned to pitch. When the technique described below is learned, and the strings are as described above, they will be less likely to break due to metal-damaging kinks. The pressure of each winding one on the other will help lock them into place, leading to less slippage and tendencies to go out of tune. Finally, individual strings will be easy to remove in a hurry, a boon on a gig if one breaks, and an advantage in the shop or wherever you change your strings. The best way to learn anything is to do it, so why not go grab your guitar and some fresh strings? First, lay your guitar down on a padded workbench, kitchen table, or even your lap. I find it easiest to work with the tuners to the left. Lefties may need to adjust this process accordingly. Normally, I do one string at a time. Remove the high E string and attach the new string at the bridge (bridge pins, through the tailpiece-however it works on your guitar). Hold the string with some tension with your left hand, and use your right hand forefinger to hold the string down on the fingerboard at about the 3rd fret to help maintain that tension. Set the string in the proper nut slot as a guide, and slowly wrap the string (clockwise on a 3-on-a-side headstock for the treble strings, counterclockwise for the bass, or on a 6-on-a-side headstock) around the tuner post, being careful not to let the string crisscross itself. The trick is in keeping control of the string by keeping tension on it as you wrap it. After about 4 wraps, switch hands, trying not to lose the tension, and grab the remaining string end with your right hand. Use your left forefinger to hold the wraps on the tuner post. Slip the string through the hole with your right hand (it may help to turn the tuner to find the easiest angle), and pull it as tight as possible. Then kink the string back, tune it up, and nip off the end with some wire cutters. (Hey, you could put an eye out with one of those string ends . . . or at least do some involuntary home acupuncture. I’ll never forget the time I hit a nerve dead on with a string end . . . whoa!) Repeat the process, using fewer windings with the wound strings, trying to achieve the look described in paragraph 3. With each string, after raising to pitch, gently lift the string off the fingerboard all along the singing length to stretch and settle them into place; then retune. This takes a little practice. It’ll seem awkward the first time you try it. But you can, once you’ve got it, restring very quickly this way, and you’ll also notice that, by keeping tension on the string, it takes very little effort to bring each string to pitch. If you are headed to New Orleans, I’d love to meet you. Some folks from Barcelona, Spain, who had read my column and checked out my website at www.jumpinsomethin.com, dropped by the Columns last week. Very cool. I play seven nights a week these days, so you can’t miss me. Wednesdays, I play (8 PM ’til 11 PM) at the Columns Hotel, 3811 St. Charles Avenue, an historic and beautiful spot. The rest of the week, I’m in a great part of the French Quarter at the Orleans Café, 135 Decatur Street, near the House of Blues and the world’s hippest record store, the Louisiana Music Factory. I start around 6:30 PM and play jazz, blues and R&B through the evening. Hope to see you!
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Guitar
Tech Talk is from Chip
Wilson in New Orleans. If you have a question
about guitar building, repair, or maintenance, send it to
us at 
Often,
when entertaining customers in my workshop, I am asked about
how I managed to restring their guitars so quickly. I once
watched master luthier Jimmy D’Aquisto restring an
instrument, and got a valuable lesson from this generous
man.
I
love the responses from readers of this column to my new
website at 
Play It Again Sam...66 Main St...Montpelier VT 05602...Phone (802) 229-0295...Fax (802) 229-0755