How to Change a String on a Mandolin

Here's the quickest and easiest way to properly replace an old or broken string on a mandolin.
For more restring instructional videos on other guitar models, check out our How to Restring Your Instrument playlist, here: • How To Restring Your I...

[@blake4084]

WOW. I rarely leave a comment, but I have to say THANK YOU. Every time I look something up real quick on KZbin, about 99 percent of videos are people who are annoying as hell or yammering on forever and can't get to the point. This video had all the info I needed, was succinct, and well done. Thank you so much for not wasting my time. Loved it.

[@macveighkid]

Thanks Mike Robicheau. Not all heroes wear capes 🤘

[@SephBentos]

Incredibly helpful and right to the point. This guy clearly knows his stuff, thank you.

[@longandmcquade]

He certainly does! Thanks for watching!

[@kimw6698]

Really helpful. I am new to the instrument and just broke a string!

[@longandmcquade]

Welcome! We are glad we could help :)

[@Spreadswings]

This is a really nice overview for a process which proves daunting for so many people.

[@LarryMcKnight-ot9pl]

Re the Epiphone contest.... I do not have an Ephiphone guitar but I was happy to view the KZbin presentation and have an interest in acquiring one in the in the future. Quite impressive!

[@laurencebyers1322]

I got my first mandolin yesterday so I'm a total noob. My new-to-me Aria was short a tuner button, so i fabbed one from some ivory, i replaced a missing string, and then I was surfing around, trying to figure out what those other notches on the bridge were for. Finally i found the answer in your video! Thank you thank you!

[@DarylBark]

Thank You! Finally found the right video.. So many just skip right over explaining the Anchor. Well done sir.

[@bb38313]

after you pull tension on string use a capo to hold loop on the post makes it easier. I do this on mandolin and banjo

[@MicTheChick22]

Thank you for this!!! It’s my first time changing strings I appreciate how thorough you are!

[@longandmcquade]

You're welcome, we're happy it helped!

[@Georgia275]

This is an incredibly helpful video. Your in-depth knowledge is clear to see and you explain things in a way that even I can understand! Many thanks from a beginner in 'Wuthering Heights' country.

[@pjm329]

Thank you, I was wondering about the extra hooks. Answered my question.

[@longandmcquade]

Glad this video helped!

[@prosperruss1767]

thanks! direct and concise and informative. thanks for the help 😊

[@brianbrennan5112]

Thanks very much, very helpful.

[@GarySchiltz]

Hey Mike. At 1:26: "This bridge here, is not connected to the guitar in any way." That's good, as it would make it hard to get the mandolin unstuck from the guitar. :-) No offense, offered in the spirit of laughing with you, not at you. Thanks for the informative video!

[@crazymelvis5877]

Haha!!!

[@troyll1325]

Actually I have had an issue with modern strings breaking during restringing on a tailpiece that does not have those extra hooks. The breakage is actually form the high string coming unwound at the bottom

[@Guitaristlife-dn9ou]

I’m watching this Yt video incase I work at guitar center. Thanks for the restringing vids

[@longandmcquade]

Awesome! We have a whole series of restringing videos. And then you can tell your Guitar Center co-workers that you were trained by Long & McQuade staff! 😜

[@ahah1785]

well i can restring a mandolin now...now i just have to learn to play=)

[@olilob575]

Very good info, thank you!

[@staffer109]

Should always put first wind about string and then proceed to put all others under and going downward as mentioned...the purpose of putting top wind above string is to pinch it in between the following downward winds. Done properly no need to cut off excess string as you can rock it back in forth and snap every single string closer to sting hole then you can cut with cutters leaving virutally no stub to prick your finger....

[@dennis3065]

When you measure out the appropriate slack for winding around the post, you are holding the string above the fret board with your right hand. I see this as problematic. In changing strings, I have seen where the string is held flat against the fret board and the slack is measured by the distance to the next post or two. Estimation is done at the top.

[@longandmcquade]

That method would work as well, there are many different ways to accomplish the same thing.

[@npatwardhanster]

@@longandmcquade where I will get the instruments that you are using in this video

[@npatwardhanster]

@@longandmcquade I wanted to buy the instruments

[@victoriaboychenko756]

Great video! I just got a mandolin and the string broke because of my inexperienced tuning. Do you think it's possible to fix it in a guitar store? If so, is it going to be costly or worth the hassle than doing it myself? I'm quite bummed out but I'd be pleased if you could help!

[@longandmcquade]

For sure it can be fixed, it's no big deal. Of couse, we don't "fix" strings, we just replace them. Especially during COVID times with some of our stores under lockdown, we'd recommend ordering a new set of mandolin strings and then following this video closely to learn how to change them yourself.

[@gggnumber1]

I did the same thing, due to my " inexperienced tuning." BOING!

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

Great. The press fit clamp is bit hard on my Harley Benton mandolin. Moved little bit but yet to remove it fully. What is intonation? How often should that be done and how? Any video made by you? Thanks again. Pune City, India.

[@c_farther5208]

So, you wind the second time on top of the first wind, the first wind is nearest to the wood, right? Or the opposite?

[@longandmcquade]

All winds go down the post, toward the wood.

[@sharifullah7314]

Does anyone know how to fix the issue with electric mandolin where the Gs and Ds strings sounds quieter but the As and Es sounds louder?

[@aaronmull1916]

Thanks for the help! :)

[@longandmcquade]

No problem!

[@loombaron]

in the case my mandolin, the cover is extremely hard to push and Im afraid I can break it. Any tips?

[@nonh8nsk8r]

I bought some Martin strings last month. Two sets, and both E strings on both sets came unwound within a day.

[@longandmcquade]

That sounds like a manufacturer defect. If you purchased them from us, bring them back and we'll replace them.

[@toneranger]

Cool video, Question please : just getting into Mandolin, I have a Seagull SI with a TUSQ removable insert in the fixed bridge, the high e's keep slipping at full tension, how can I stop this from happening please? thanks

[@longandmcquade]

Most of the time, strings slipping are either the notches in the saddle, or the nut slots are not deep enough or worn, which makes it impossible to prevent the strings from slipping at full tension. Was this recently purchased at Long & McQuade? If so, bring it back and we'll take care of it. Otherwise we'd recommend bringing the instrument to a luthier/guitar technician to fix this issue.

[@steveshapiro1380]

what is the milwaukee string winder? Where can I get one?

[@longandmcquade]

That's a Milwaukee M4 screwdriver, but any brand from any hardware store would work. The bit is a Planet Waves drill bit peg winder: www.long-mcquade.com/18114

[@KB2CWN]

All good, but what is that tool you're using?

[@longandmcquade]

The only tools used really were the wire cutters, a manual string winder, and a string winder on a powered screwdriver/drill.

[@KellyRicardo03]

What is that milwaukee power tool and where can I get the attachment for tuner heads?

[@daddyssandpiperbirdie]

You are failing to mention that some string holders are pressed all the way down. How do I lift that up without some type of instrument and know how? This is the first time I've ever done this; this is my first mandolin. You make it look so easy but you're skipping important details.