How to Change Mandolin Strings & More!

We also talk string types and tailpieces. This lesson is FREE on the site, all you have to do is have a free Silver Pick membership.
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[@LadySoran]

Thank you for going into detail about wrapping the string at the post. Some other videos simply said, "Wrap twice" and that was it.

[@Greenminded1]

Thanks for paying this. Your camera angles are better than 90% of other instructional videos out there. You saved me so much trouble. 👍

[@ValerioMansueti]

I have received as a gift for my birthday a very old italian mandolin (1890) made by the Ferrari brothers in Naples,in a very perfect shape. I am going to put new strings now and your video has been very useful.thanks a lot from Italy !

[@birdwatcher0205]

Thank you so much, Banjo Ben! I snapped a string at college and didn’t have my dad to restring it. This tutorial was awesome!

[@JJ-iy6nz]

Bear with me all you accomplished Mandolin Players. Thank you for the straightforward demonstration, explanation and the right angle of the video camera to actually see what you are doing! Absolute Beginner (3 weeks) and broke a D string trying to tune the mandolin. I am mentioning this for other Beginners whom you will be able to advise further. Bought a Tuner Factory-set to Chromatic... I set it to U (for Ukulele) but could not find a 'D' to tune it so kept turning the string at the same time trying to find the String D on the tuner. You've guessed... the string shot off across the room faster than the speed of light - well, almost! I then set the Tuner to V for Violin and found a 'D' scale. Am I doing the right thing? If someone else can learn from my mistake trying to work out tuning a mandolin, then my ignorance may have served to help another Beginner.

[@azgrandpadon6186]

Great explanation of the knot. Otherwise, I was taught to line up the head with the hole perpendicular to the headstock. I don't see much benefit in doing it differently than you demonstrated, but it's a good example of how some minor details don't really seem to matter quite as much. Anyway, this is probably one of the best and easiest demonstrations I've seen so far. Thank you for posting this video! Great job, guys!

[@arctichare8185]

Useful instructions, and I finally got a good image of the order in which the strings have to loop onto the tail piece. Much appreciated.

[@BanjoBen]

Great! You're welcome!

[@bryanbarton4907]

Very helpful! I’ll be attempting to change manderlin strings for the first time this week. I can change guitar strings with my eyes closed, but I’ve been intimidated by the mando. I just got my new Elixers today, so I’ll be doing it soon! Thanks for the fast shipping and the video!

[@BanjoBen]

You're welcome, brother. Holler if you need help.

[@danielmconnolly7]

Just bought my 1st Mandolin. Glad I watched this before changing the strings. Thank you~👍

[@bluestonerdpianolessons4179]

Thank you both so much! This is great 😊

[@gregkienle3378]

Holy crap, your video quality is stunning.

[@rsables1]

Great video . Thanks !

[@RobertPalomoMusic]

On guitar and banjo I always use a capo at around 7 to keep tension on the string at the tailpiece or bridge. Gives me 2 hands free to work. Getting ready to do my 1st mando string change and thinking to apply my Shubb banjo capo. It's the only time I'll use capo on mandolin, I promise.

[@Grumpyoldman60]

like your clips. been playin guitar since i was 12, and now i got my first Mandolin,, pretty scarry. look forward to more of your clips.

[@lisaplummer8144]

Thank you so much! I finally got it right!

[@itsybitsy1693]

Awesome video, what size are the strings from top to bottom...

[@shastabob56]

Excellent!

[@erickleefeld4883]

Usually when I restring a guitar or bass, I like to take off all the strings so I can clean the fretboard, dust off anything else, etc. But now that I’m getting into mandolin, maybe it really is a good idea to just do one string pairing at a time - otherwise, I’ll have to re-intonate the bridge from scratch! The really tricky thing with those fall-off bridges is that a restring must then become a full setup, whether you like it or not.

[@neilanderson2374]

Cool video and thanks for doing it with a Kentucky. I just bought a KM252 and boy are the strings old

[@Rosebud2503]

Guys, I wish you were here in the UK.

[@dobbscmd]

Banjo Ben, i have a question........I wanted to lower my bridge for lower action, does that change my intonation? if i adjust the bridge, when i tune it up, will the intonation be correct? or should a luthier perform action adjustment by bridge lowering?

[@BenPumpiner]

A good way to remember which way to turn to tighten your strings is that it is the exact opposite of what you learned for regular screws and bolts “lefty loosy righty tighty”, so to tighten your strings, turn to the left, it’s “lefty tighty and righty loosy”, opposite of most every screw or bolt.

[@mercedesclemens]

Thanks!

[@vickiburkhart8429]

Where can you find the nandoline strings with the ball end?

[@moxie96]

I have a Rogue mandolin that came with rusty strings. The tailpiece on it feels very sturdily stuck on, unlike what this better fender plate demonstrated. What can I do about that Rogue’s plate?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Ashton bailey mandolin tailpiece has holes allowing you to use any string.

[@jeffscott1006]

Thank you

[@Seancreaney7]

I find it less hassle to put the string through the machine head first and simply put the loop on .

[@antoinettehellyer9522]

I turned too high because I couldn't turn x tighten it with my right hand x snapped string x see the other is worn thin near end x about to break?

[@ronaldhowell4146]

Good tutorial, and I noticed, 12:10 I put strings on my mandolin haha,,oh kay,,that's all I had, but seriously a great lesson, hey man I need 2 things,,do you sell one of those guitar props or holder things? And a guitar strap that ties at headstock?

[@BanjoBen]

Yep! Here's the stand: store.banjobenclark.com/collections/instrument-care-maintenance/products/daddario-headstand-string-changing-stand I don't have the strap yet but if you call us at the shop we can get one on order for you.

[@kenz5469]

I just stick a piece of tape over the loop end on the tailpiece to hold the string

[@1985cora]

ive used wire cutters and had to pull on the string to get the ends to cut: accidently nicked my headstock. cried like a baby, all is well. IM changing mandolin strings for a friend soon. figured it went like this but was making sure lol

[@TJCalmando]

Should I remove the nails out of my bridge?

[@BanjoBen]

Nails? Haha, really?

[@ahah1785]

Im gonna store a mandolin (its a levin aristokrat from 1948) long term - should i remove the strings or loosen them somewhat? Thanks!=))

[@BanjoBen]

Do not remove but would be a good idea to down tune a step or two.

[@ahah1785]

@@BanjoBen Thanks alot! I will do that=)

[@BanjoBen]

@@ahah1785 Instruments are made to have tension on them. I only remove that tension if there is something structurally wrong. If the mandolin is in good shape, then a slight reduction in string tension will serve it well as it experiences temp/moisture changes. Remember, temp and moisture changes are the biggest issue. Make sure it's in a stable location that is properly humidified and temp controlled.

[@untitledswed1661]

Hol up your strings are inside that? Mine are just on the bottom

[@JusticeAlways]

I love playing the mandolin but damn...changing those strings...aaarrgh!

[@jonathancollins9057]

Or you can tape the bridge down with masking tape to hold it in place. Also being a tech I've never had any issues restringing all at once instead of one at a time, especially if you're not changing string gauge. Maybe if it's a really old vintage instrument or if there are major issues that can't be fixed then yeah I can see restringing one at a time. To each their own. Cheers!

[@antoinettehellyer9522]

I'm gutted ! Tryed to tune up x It broke!. Told its 200 years old. So it just has hooks! For the strings,

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Some mandolins have a fixed bridge

[@Cristasphoto]

Same with Banjo really. Dont take all the strings off... Lol

[@BanjoBen]

Correct ;)

[@Cristasphoto]

@@BanjoBen Thank you 🙂