Changing Strings - 12 hole bridge classical guitar

By request of my guitar building clients, here is a tutorial for stringing a classical guitar with 12 holes in the bridge.

[@GarySchiltz]

Very nice clear explanation!

[@michaelmcinnis911]

Thank you - I just bought a nylon string with the 12 hole bridge, and just from looking at the unwound strings, I wasn't sure how they were tied on. You made it very simple. Also appreciate the advice about not having too many winds at the headstock; otherwise it does take forever for the strings to stretch out and stay in tune! Very helpful.

[@deanshoup6742]

Thanks’ I needed a refresher and I like your method here. I learned a few tips here. Thanks!

[@dbdawson54]

Plain and simple ... when you tie the knots! Actually you’ve unlocked the simplicity. My first try had me using both hands along with my elbow and an old spigot. Thanks for the demo. It helped a lot.

[@timmathews8408]

I really like this tutorial. I like it for its brevity and for the fact that it's packed with useful information. I especially like what she does at the head end. I have this tutorial saved for reference.

[@brianchamberlain2430]

Thank you for this video!

[@TheDzungTa]

I used to dread changing strings and watching other YT video instructions did not seem to help much, until I watched yours (In fact, I dinged the sound board once using a pair of pliers trying to make a knot on the treble strings near the bridge, at the time without the cardboard protection like yours!). Yours made it simple and more intuitive to me for some reasons 😉! I appreciate the details on the treble strings to press down against the beveled holes for a snug fit and avoiding slipping and other tips to avoid buzzing. That said, I do have qualms about the loose ends of the bass strings, not sure if they are actually "loosen" with fewer windings as they look, but since there are plenty of extra length to cut off at the headstock, I'd leave the "loosen looking end" at the headstock end! Many thanks for your wonderful instructions! 👏😍

[@martyjames6204]

thanks you

[@F.Mendelssohn]

Love this! I really like the simplicity and how quickly the the intonation stabilizes.

[@utzuckz]

thanks! :)

[@edwardpetersen4309]

I pull it through the first hole from the top, then up through the second hole from the bottom. I bring the string over the tie block through the loop which was created and pull tight. Just another way to do it.

[@eblackbrook]

What about the tubby G string, do you do the extra loop on that one when tying at the bridge?

[@docmartin7864]

Hi Emily. Thanks for this. It did not work well for me though. The trebles kept slipping on me. I needed another loop or two on each end. Maybe it helps to have some fancy devices like you have to stabilize the guitar so you can keep more constant tension on the string while doing the initial tightening. How much of a waiting list for your personally built guitars? Any pricing info?

[@emilyshawguitar]

It might also be the exact positioning of the 2 holes, or some other aspect of the tie-block design. I've only ever tied a 12-hole bridge on my own builds, so I have no experience with guitars by other builders! I would probably try tying a small knot in the end of the string to prevent slipping, or I'd melt the end with a lighter before threading it through (You would have to do all of the threading backwards in this case-hope that makes some sort of sense). As for the stabilizing, the vise is handy, but honestly, I do most of my own guitar re-stringing while sitting on my couch, so not sure if that really plays into it too much! As for your inquiry about a custom built guitar, send me an email ([e-mail]) if you are interested in chatting more-wait times can vary considerably depending on how many projects I have lined up!)

[@travelthebest2676]

Is the bass side hole the lower or the higher hole on this guitar?

[@travelthebest2676]

I can no longer differentiate between the top and bottom holes on my 12 bridge, would it be more common practice to start the string in the hole closest in proximity to the bass side?

[@emilyshawguitar]

It could be either (as other comments have mentioned-this video describes how I have made my guitars, but there is no standard way). You can always tell by how the holes are centred on the tie block. When you tie the strings, the same amount of space should be left on either side of the strings (so that the strings don't fall off the fretboard). Hope that makes sense.

[@vladimirhorowitz6646]

Thanks for the tutorial! However around 0:51 - 0:52 you said that put the string through the 1st hole to the bass side and that's a higher hole, it's incorrect hole / side, must be put through the 2nd hole which is the lower one, I didn't check again when I restrung my guitar and just followed your guide so now my 6th string is too close to the edge of the fingerboard why my 1st string is too far way the other edge, so I will have to restring again from scratch...

[@emilyshawguitar]

Sorry it didn't work out for you! hole layout isn't exactly standardized amongst luthiers, so your tie block set up must be a bit different than I how drill mine. Good note of warning for others watching this video.

[@grantgoldberg255]

FYI to anyone watching this, some guitars have the holes on the bridge reversed. Either way, the part of the string that crosses the saddle should come out through the lower hole :)

[@emilyshawguitar]

good to know!

[@luckylikey9280]

@@emilyshawguitar I think mine has it, such that the base strings as well as the treble strings use the hole facing the center of the bridge.

[@gferdon]

Many guitars have the position of the pairs of the little holes reversed, so when she says put the string through "the closest hole to me", this might not be correct for your guitar. It should be put through the LOWEST hole, not necessarily the closest hole, depending on the way the guitar's bridge is made. The bottom line is that the part of the string that goes over the saddle should be coming out of the LOWEST hole. Otherwise, this video is a great illustration of how to tie a 12-hole bridge.

[@eblackbrook]

Sometimes the holes are on the same level. Really the most reliable thing is to judge which holes line up with where the strings ought to rest on saddle.

[@gferdon]

@@eblackbrook actually, the most important thing is to make sure the lowest hole is the string that goes over the fret board. The whole point of the 12 hole bridge is to give the highest angle to that part of the string, just as it goes over the saddle.

[@eblackbrook]

@@gferdon Sure, and if one of each pair of holes is lower you can expect it will align with where the strings ought to pass over the saddle. But as I said some bridges put both holes on the same level. My point was that choosing the hole aligned with expected saddle string position covers both cases.

[@gferdon]

Ah yes, correct. I didn't read what you'd written carefully enough.

[@JosephKarlH]

Mauvaise manière car si la corde casse au niveau du chevalet le brin libre ira fouetter la table ...😢 personnellement ça m'est arrivé aussi je ne les monte pas ainsi malheureusement souvent recommandé sur youtube.

[@emilyshawguitar]

Sorry that happened to you! I always protect the surface of my guitars in that area with a small piece of plastic, so there is no risk of damage.

[@johnstrozzi1126]

I don't understand why they have this 12 hole bridge. The standard 6 hole bridge is far superior. Who came up with this stupid idea? Just learn to tie your string better an they won't slip! This 12 hole thing is way more difficult and it's also dangerous causing the string the slap the sound board sometimes.

[@travelthebest2676]

I think it’s deemed to sound better with a 12