Ralph McTell - How To Change Guitar Strings

[@jacintaferyn122]

Lovely Luthier's knot. Thank you. Really enjoyed your Concert at the Lime Tree in Limerick last night. I now recall that I did see you in Glasgow many years ago, in the 70's. We enjoyed every moment that brought back great memories and feel so blessed. We really appreciate your wonderful poetry and music. Thank you again. Look forward to playing our CDs and future concerts. Every success in all you do. Kind regards, Jacinta and Michael.

[@paulboden7850]

Love that you are so patient and humble. The string lock technique that you shared, eluded me for a long time. Thanks to you, I've got it! Cheers

[@adamsewellmusic5906]

Great little tricks that makes life easier. Cheers Ralph

[@donvincentwalters2705]

Love ya, Ralphl! Thank you for this instructional vid and a lifetime of heartfelt musicset before the ears n hearts of humanity.

[@tomgreeves9248]

That was an utter pleasure and really helpful, thank you. I’ll definitely do my strings like that from now onwards. I’m very struck by how modestly and straightforwardly virtuosos like you, Mark Knopfler and James Taylor talk about playing and managing your guitars. It’s hugely encouraging to realise that the greats rely on perspiration as well as inspiration and genius.

[@ivannovotny4552]

Thank you for awesome demonstration Ralph.

[@Spacedraptor]

Thankyou Ralph been a lifelong fan & I play guitar myself this method comes in handy.

[@AxelRnnvocalguitar]

THANK YOU RALPH .FOR SHARING VIDEO - HOW TO CHANGE GUITAR STRINGS . and THANK YOU FOR SO MANY GREAT SONGS AND MUSIC BY YOU . BEST WISHES FOR THE SUMMER 2021 .

[@terryosul]

Very helpful vid and a lovely memory of Bert Jansch. Thanks. Incomparable guitar/poet troubadours both

[@robertnewell5057]

Nice of you to put this out there. I've been doing my strings like this since I saw it in a Stefan Grossman book when I was about 18 or so (although, if I remember correctly, the Grossman book has some sort of complicated knotting system, which I ignored). Now, at long last, I know what the method is called. I don't 'stretch' the strings, though, I've never seen any sense in that - they are made of metal, so the only possible value in pulling with your method of fixing is not to stretch, but to make sure the ball is right against the bridge plate, which you can do instantly by putting a slight curve at the ball end of the string before you put it in. For people who don't use your method, they are probably getting the windings at the peghead a bit tighter as well. It is 100 per cent true what you say - the strings never slip. Two tune ups and you're done. They are also less likely to break at the tuner, because the string bears on the rounded surface of the string, not the sharper edge of the hole in the capstan. Looking back, I think I've broken about 4 or 5 strings in 50 years (excepting the high g octave string on 12 string, which I've broken many times). Didn't know the 'how to unravel a string' tip, though. I'll definitely be using that one! Also great that you are suppporting a UK string company.

[@vodkaone1053]

@Robert Newell Did he say those were NuTone strings? I'll see if I can get them in America.

[@robertnewell5057]

@@vodkaone1053 They are Newtone Strings and he uses an 11-52 set. The Newtone facebook site is: facebook.com/commerce/products/1815590601789088/ However, I have found these strings lose their life very quickly. Ralph changes his strings on every gig, so it doesn't affect him.

[@patsy1000]

Had to try these strings after watching this, I've got a Taylor guitar thought I'd try the 12 gauge they sound excellent. Also thanks for the genius tips made my life easier and quicker 🙂

[@mikelheron20]

Thanks, Ralph for not perpetuating the old wives' tale about not taking strings off all at once.

[@treveharris2076]

Great musician, great bloke!

[@ericpaulband]

Thanks, Ralph. I have not seen anyone change them like that. The third step I have never seen before, when you lock the string.

[@patsy1000]

This is the best way ive found to put new strings on thanks Ralph, but i always forget how you do it so i have to re-watch :-)

[@mike194254]

Fascinating method, and great comment about Bert. Also you have now introduced me to Newtone strings; after using Martin bronze for the past 50 years or so, these strings, and particularly the sizings, are a revelation. I have recently finished making a Martin D28 copy and these strings seem to bring it alive, also on the Fylde Magician and the old Levin the difference is quite pronounced. I have also gone over to Brass pins and they seem to make the guitars ring better. You probably won't remember the 60's at MSG and my Eccles clubs but each time I see you or Mike Harding (etc) I remember fondly those days.

[@davemoir7197]

Never tried the lock-round but looks good. I have just moved over to 11s after decades on 12s. Best wishes Ralph, great story on dear Bert.

[@susanroycroft89]

Thanks Ralph, and you know Iv'e been playin and changing strings for 60 years now and I STILLget it wrong, but the foolproof method you've shown is definitely the easiest And best because it locks the string also,many thanks 😊😊😊

[@guruleinii]

Really nice musings on Bert Jansch and great advice. This being right before a gig makes me nervous just by watching it, lol.

[@nedurp58]

Best string change method yet Cheers

[@kevincozens6837]

This is a nice simple method for changing strings. No need to measure how much slack to leave in the strings before you tune them. I particularly liked the part where you show an easy method for uncoiling the strings so you don't get your hands or eyes poked.

[@Nigel-ie6gy]

Many thanks great video . Interesting to see that you have a split saddle on your Gibson

[@brendancoburn427]

I am still a 'beginner' after 40 years and I am very grateful to Ralph for making this video. I shall try out this method. However, at risk of being shot down, I hate the sound of new strings, and feel it takes about 3 weeks before the sound is good. Being lazy, I rarely change my strings and was heartened to find out Nick Drake never changed his. It was also beaten into me never to remove all the strings at once, do it one on, one off. Just sayin' lol.

[@guitarwithbob]

Nice locking mechanism and a very simple way to unlock the strings. Did the bridge saddle break? Looks like it's in two pieces! Thanks Ralph ;)

[@HarryNicNicholas]

surprised you didn't show the ball end trick as a lot of people (nearly everyone i've encountered) still think the peg holds the ball down, when in fact the ball sits up against the side of the peg. anyway nice little vid and anecdote about bert. i guess you don't remember leaning over me at the bar of the star and garter in putney way way back in the mid 70's? anyway, still a big fan.

[@stevenprince9907]

Hi Ralph. Thank you. I've never changed the strings myself, I've always gone to the guitar store. Streets of London is the very first song I did on karaoke. I still would like to sing it with my guitar but find it very difficult. Unless you Ralph or anyone has any good advice they could give me I would really appreciate it

[@axadude1]

Wow - change every day! My bass strings are the ones that were on the instrument when I bought it - 22 years ago... Maybe it's time! But they do sound lovely - soft and mellow - and gigging once a week at the moment, so they do get worked. Just can't bring myself to chuck them and get a clangy new set.

[@emmettmckenna4565]

Ralph, I was always told not to take all the strings off at once, but to do one at a time. I was told that taking all the strings off at one time will lead to the neck warping! What say you on that?

[@ianevans67]

My question is how do you look after those picking fingernails? I'll catch mine on something or break them long before they get to that length.

[@jamesdumbelton]

This is awesome, I play mandolin and have just changed my strings using these tips, time greatly reduced! Thank you Ralph, James

[@marychowen]

Wow. Some good tips here!

[@ATOMIKDOG23]

I'm impressed Ralph

[@mikelheron20]

Great to see Ralph ignoring the old wive's tale about not taking all the strings off at the same time. If you have a truss rod, it does no harm at all.

[@stavrospapadimitriou7631]

I don't agree- It takes an hour or two for the guitar to regain its tone. It's not just the neck, but the whole tensioned system that has to start from scratch: the deck, neck and strings.

[@alankingwell]

Brilliant 👍👍

[@Nigel-ie6gy]

Many thanks Ralph

[@Andreas-Fischer-1965]

Cool Trick. Thank you and thumbs up!

[@mike194254]

Ralph; what has happened to Newtone Strings, I can't seem to get to them anymore (their web site doesn't come up, instead I'm directed to another site)

[@scubapod]

Thank you so much

[@Northyorkspaul]

Interesting,cant find any reference to ralph on the newtone string website..

[@dedoupeyrille7393]

Merci pour la leçon !

[@bmwhiteside]

Works for Banjo just as well!

[@cdozo]

Thanks!

[@lyndamcardle4123]

Well I never ! Only been playing for 40 years plus and I never knew this ...however, as an amateur, I wouldn't be able to afford to change them before each performance/gig/session/play ...

[@stevewhiteley9249]

Were you in a padded cell, Ralph? 😅

[@nikkit887]

Ooh way too long finger nails 🤢

[@martijn3151]

Only on his right hand. It’s his picking hand.

[@iankr]

🙄

[@davidlomax4028]

Ralphs drunk

[@azzuro79]

I'm no guitar player ( unfortunately ) and yet found this to be very interesting...