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Post by creolian on Aug 10, 2018 12:13:47 GMT
Hello Michael, all Recent topics here have me thinking of upgrading the string winder I've been using. A cheapie that I've had for eons, a bit of a kludge and easy to fumble around with, it could be better... I seem to recall you mentioning using an electric string winder. Might have been someone else but I rember thinking it would be a great tool for someone changing more than the occasional busted G... Any advice or thoughts on the subject much appreciated. Many Thanks, Jeff Ps. I've got the wrap only method down pat but I still wait with a bated breath for an MM epic on the process.  Edit: I asked this a while back in a response on another thread... If we missed connections, I apologize. |
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Post by Stevie on Aug 10, 2018 12:51:40 GMT
Hi Jeff,
Someone bought me an Ernie Ball string winder for my birthday in June, and with the arrival of the new Monel strings I christened it! My verdict is quite good. It does feel a bit flimsy though. It's just a bit too big to fit in the pocket inside most cases so don't wing your old crank just yet. There is a deluxe version that just seems to be rechargeable. Unless you are a guitar "tech" or repair man, I'd save the shekels and go for the dry cell version like me. Intermittent string changes will just see the rechargeables dead exactly when you need them!
Some years ago I purchased a small hex drive adapter for an electric screwdriver. This does the same job rather more inexpensively but my cordless driver died on me. Both did actually.
Over all, I think the good old halfway house manual crank arm is still the better choice because they do speed up the job a lot. The electric one like the Ernie Ball is undeniably easier on the wrist, but not necessarily any faster. It's probably better suited to those looking for something to spend their money on, or as a gift for someone that already has everything.
Like Penicillin.
e&oe...
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 10, 2018 15:42:39 GMT
Basically what Stevie said, I have used winders for many years [even had a fitting for an electric screwdriver] and the cheap plastic ones work just fine. With practice you can get the string wound on more neatly and tighter. You are putting a little more leverage on the button, so if your machine head is faulty you could strain something. I did suffer from ‘tennis elbow’ 20 years ago, but by using the string winder and going over to electric screw-drivers it went away.
Pt
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2018 15:45:18 GMT
I'd buy an electric string winder but I've just lashed out on an electric teaspoon for stirring my coffee.
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Post by bonzo on Aug 10, 2018 15:59:46 GMT
Sounds like you're stirring more than your coffee Graeme! Lol!
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by slide496 on Aug 10, 2018 17:45:19 GMT
I've been using an Ernie Ball electric winder for years now, but some of my 3-on-plate tuners on the early stellas, the kay, silvertone are bent so I don't use them for those bent ones at all.
Some of the other guitars I just detune with the electric and some I both detune and wind a step or so below pitch and use the manual tuner for the rest. IMHO there's more than one way to use an electric winder. I find them pretty handy and wrist saving either for all or part of the task, especially if I'm changing strings on a a bunch of guitars.
Harriet
Just to add - one thing I do with the Ernie Ball, when detuning with it is I manually slacken a little, in case I start off the wrong way so I don't over tighten and snap a string, I start and stop the winder incrementally when I am holding the string and it's near the fret board - its not something I've seen anyone else do but my reflexes are slow so I want to make sure I don't catch my finger. I use a "Dunlop Neck Cradle 65" for my flat tops and electrics that I change strings and the headstock is raised.
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 10, 2018 17:50:29 GMT
I'm going to have to start dropping hints for a Christmas present, methinks.  |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 10, 2018 18:07:46 GMT
For the first few decades of my life I used nothing, just thumb and fingers. Then for the next few I used various hand-powered string winders. These days and for the past few years I have used a Bosch electric screwdriver with a Planet Waves Drill Bit Peg Winder, and it's brilliant. It's quick and best of all is that it doesn't strain my hands. I change a lot of strings!     Shine On Michael |
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Post by bonzo on Aug 10, 2018 18:09:53 GMT
Changing strings is one of the few forms of exercise I do these days so I think I'll stick with my manual winder!
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by lonelyjelly on Aug 10, 2018 19:02:32 GMT
Michael, where can one buy that PW attachment? I have a similar electric screwdriver so this could work very nicely 😎
Cheers
Lew
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Post by creolian on Aug 10, 2018 19:13:35 GMT
I think the screwdriver with the attachment is the way to go... Thanks to everyone except Stevie who's thoughtful response now has me worrying about seeing the doctor... |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 10, 2018 19:54:46 GMT
Michael, where can one buy that PW attachment? I have a similar electric screwdriver so this could work very nicely 😎 Amazon sells them for £6.00 linkYou need the guitar to be on a table and the neck raised up so you can get the Bosch machine under it. It takes a few goes to get the hang of it, but once you've got it, it's easy. You must keep the tension on the string with one hand and then have the Bosch in the other. It makes winding really easy and gives a neat finish. Let it go while you're not looking and BOING!!! ...snapped string :-) I use it a few times every week, so I can do it without thinking. Shine On Michael |
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Post by lonelyjelly on Aug 10, 2018 20:56:01 GMT
Cheers Michael. Looks great and should, once I get the hang of it, speed up the process :-)
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Post by lonelyjelly on Aug 10, 2018 21:08:13 GMT
It’s not all entirely relevant for resonators and Newtone strings (don’t snip till you’re up to tension!) but I find this chap very entertaining and charming, and most importantly helpful on the most part. Bear in mind this is an acoustic flat top guitar so taking off all the strings on your resonator is ill-advised...I very rarely do that with any guitar.
I think the gist is take your time, have a nice beer nearby and try to find it therapeutic in some way 🤣 oh, and to the point, Mr Moustache too uses a similar device as Michael uses for the winding bit. Hope this is useful/entertaining.
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Post by pete1951 on Aug 11, 2018 8:32:29 GMT
One thing to think about with battery tools, if left for long periods unused, the battery can go flat and can not be fully charged again. There have been advances in battery designs and lithium-ion is better than the old ni-cad type. If you use an electric screwdriver it might be good to have one of these winder heads , if you restring you guitars infrequently, and don't already have a suitable device ,go for the manual winder
Pt.
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