Failing at Re-stringing

[Crazy_Joe]

I could be the biggest guitar n00b ever, as i can't re-string my guitars.
I have bought 3 packs of strings in the last 2 days and have broken about 5 strings altogether.
On the first guitar my guitar teacher did the first one for me, got home and started winding the next one, when all of a sudden the one my guitar teacher put on snapped, i wasn't even touching or winding that string and it snapped. Seriously pissed off.
Then, on the second guitar it had different tuners so the first time was understandable that it broke because i was doing it wrong, but now i know and i got 2 strings on fine, then this 3rd one won't go on, every time i lose the tension and now it is even harder because the end of the string is all coiled up, i don't have a string winding tool, it's pissing me off so much and i might have to buy 2 more packets if this 3rd one doesn't go on.

I was going to leave it in protest and not play my guitar for a week until when my teacher would do it for me, but i will try again, but if it doesn't go on i will be childish and i won't play my guitar. That's how pissed off i am!

[Siadern]

Perhaps this will help.

http://www.cyberfret.com/gear-tech/changing-strings/page2.php

Always difficult at first. I remember when I first tried it I ended up going back to the shop that sold the guitar to get them to show me how. You'll find it easy after you've done it a few times  :)

[Crazy_Joe]

I have done it once before, but never had this much trouble with it, it's like there's too much string, it just keeps going and going and in the end it can't fit on and it just comes off. I'm definatley doing it right though. It might be that i switched to 10 guage, i used 9 before. That could explain it, but still it's only a 10 guage, it shouldn't happen.

[deg0ey]

How far are you pulling the string through the tuner? It sounds like you're putting the end of the string level with the tuner and winding it all the way through - 'cause that could cause the problem you're describing...

[FELINEGUITARS]

The biggest problem that new players have with restringing and tuning is not knowing instintively the pitches that the strings need to be
As a result they rely upon an electronic tuner and often overtigten the string and it breaks as they have gone past the right tuning point and are searching for the right note in the WRONG octave (usually an octave too high)

I have always maintained that tuning to an audible reference is a better way to get accustomed- whether it be another (in tune ) guitar or to a recording of the notes played at the right tuning

Many tutor books, free CDs and websites have a tuning guide that you can listen to and tune up  to. Or record each string tuned right before you change them and play it back when you need to

Joe - what guitar do you have?

Joe - also please change the title of the thread to indicate it's content. You can keep the emoticon but add something else to it or else it helps nobody

[Philly Q]

I know what you mean about the "too much string" problem, I still get it occasionally, after 25+ years!  But if anything, there should be less problem with 10s than 9s - because the strings are a tiny bit thicker, a single wrap round the post uses up slightly more length of string.

Jonathan made a good point about the possible reasons for the strings snapping.  On top of that, have you got trem systems on your guitars (apart from the Explorer of course)?  In that case removing one or more string puts the others under increased tension.

I suggest locking tuners.  Much less hassle!

[Dakine]

ooh, I kinda thought you were abit more experienced than this with all your posts and enquiries.
Oh well, no worries.
It 'sounds', as hard to tell, you are putting too much string through the peg.
I pretty much do it by experience but a guide is to use your hand on the neck (bout 12th fret) in a 'shake hands' position (tuck ya thumb in so only four fingers. When this is done you should have more than enough to wind and can cut the string at the peg. This will allow a good length. Another tip (if you have not been told/shown) is to bend the end of the string at right angles to the peg (in the opposite direction you are going to wind it on).
There is NO hard and fast rule to re-stringing.
Check that link and be PATIENT and slow. There is no rush, you WILL get it mate :)
NOT trying to make it harder than is already, but when you are confident they are on good and tight (at the post, don't WRENCH em tight tuning at this point) give em a pull away from the neck at about mid point, this stretches em and makes tuning easier/more stable.
Hope this helps abit.
We ALL go through it, don't get mad, get wise and take ya time :)
Good Luck!

[Crazy_Joe]

It is the guage, I'm sure of it. There is too much string, it just doesn't all fit on the pegs. Also my teacher said the tuners on this explorer are like bass ones, where you put the string in the hole vertically and then wind. I'll take a picture of how it looks like and show you.
My guitar is a Jap Tokai Explorer (Ex-85)

[Dakine]

Joe,
do what I said with string length, or there abouts.
Then, bend end at right angle to fit into peg (like fender), then hand wind around peghead before using tuner.
Then proceed from there.
Sounds like you are def. using tooooooooo much string and over tightening to me.

[Crazy_Joe]

Also the low e string doesn't really fit into the nut properly, another reason why it could be guage size.

[Crazy_Joe]

I know the right angle bend trick and all that etc. but these are different tuners than i am used to, they are like bass ones apparently.

[Dakine]

then I would say the nut is not up to snuff. 10's are not exactly BIG, summit is up Joe and you sound frustrated. Deep breath and look at the mechanics of the whole thing and give more info if poss.

[sambo]

hmmm yer if the string doesnt fit in the nut... there is definately something dodgy... i mean... Zakk Wylde sig strings have .72 guage E strings... so if 10s dont fit... something strange is happening me thinks

[Crazy_Joe]

I am very frustrated, it's re-stringing at guitar for gods sake, not rocket science, i've done it before. Pics coming soon...

[Dakine]

Joe, just looked at your guitar again, they are not what I would call Bass Tuners. It is the 'fender' style is all.
Go step by step.
Try a string in the nust without tension.
OK?
Then try stringing as I mentioned.