*Updated* How to String a Guitar with Vintage Style Tuners

[@intheblues]

►My strings of choice - imp.i114863.net/NK9KnN (Affiliate link to Sweetwater USA) ► Buy it from Thomann - bit.ly/3fS1l9c

[@TheRapand]

Fingers, cases, and especially gig bags are so happy with this kind of tuners - no string ends to stick out and poke holes in everything!

[@elcubano8843]

One of the reasons I use only vintage tuners on all my guitars

[@Vidfavne]

Hello from the future. I've been playing guitar for 35 years, but this is the first time I'm restringing something these type of tuners (a Fender Aerodyne Strat). I was totally lost, confused, frustrated and on the verge on a meltdown until I found this video. Thanks.

[@HBSanta]

I bought a Tele with these tuners a month ago and had to finally change the strings today. The comments had me worried but honestly, it was very easy. As long as you do it exactly like the way this video shows, you shouldn't have any problems.

[@Okla_Soft]

Damn Shane, I’ve been doing it wrong for the last 6 months, I’d never owned a fender with vintage tuners until last year and I’ve struggled changing the strings until now. Cool to see you had my back with a 7-year-old video!

[@intheblues]

There's an updated video of this coming up very soon too :)

[@gunnarmarks5754]

Same haha just got a strat and snapped the high e in the first few hours of playing , took a second to realize you dont string em through the post

[@odomodometer]

Every time I restring my old Jaguar, I come back to this video for a refresher course.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Excellent video. Didn't realise my vintage kluson style tuners had a hole in them to insert strings vertically, this method is ever so simple and elegant. 🎸

[@brianlord3098]

My Squier Strar - Classic Vibes 50s has the same tuners and I've been loathe to change strings again because they're such a ball-ache to change. But this video has massively helped - although the left-handed guitar you use threw me a bit to start with! Thank you. Top man.

[@RachelEdgar-jm2jd]

Kept popping out for me but I kept the tension with my hand and manually wrapped the string around the tuner for the first cycle then twisted the tuner the rest of the way. My husband was defeated by this for like a week and this video helped me figure it out, thank you!!

[@dmytrogarastovych7684]

Using a capo to keep loose strings more organised helps a lot. I couldn't complete the restringing today until this cool idea came to my mind

[@michaelreis8266]

Yup, I left a comment suggesting exactly that on your prior clip on the subject. Glad you figured it out. I'd like to add that I love the channel and have frequented it for years, thanks for the effort you put in. I'll include below the actual Fender Method and cut lengths for anyone else making sense of this process.. Fyi, I like to fill the spools as it increases the angle over the nut.. Fender Official: Vintage keys. For these, you'll want to pre-cut the strings to achieve the proper length and desired amount of winds. Pull the sixth string (tautly, remember) to the fourth key and cut it. Pull the fifth string to the third key and cut it. Pull the fourth string between the second and first keys and cut it. Pull the third string nearly to the top of the headcap and cut it. Pull the second string about a 1/2" (13 mm) past the headcap and cut it. Finally, pull the first string 1 1/2" (38 mm) past the top of the headcap and cut it. Insert into the center hole in the tuning key, bend and crimp to a 90-degree angle, and wind neatly in a downward pattern, being careful to prevent overlapping of the strings.

[@johnhusson3580]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, and a real life saver. I've been stringing my Teles like I would a Gibson and it has been incredibly frustrating I have seen the light. Thanks again!

[@tomeisenmenger7048]

This works fine if the string is hex core. However, if the strings are round core, they can go bad if cut prematurely. Before cutting, crimp the string 90 degrees - the crimp will hold the anchor the wrap to the core - then, cut about 1/4" past the crimp and proceed as shown here.

[@goobikworld]

Thanx, thanx, thanx!! The best tutorial about this kind of tuners. The only One brave enough to explain how to manage with thinner strings. Contratulations!

[@Fiendocaster]

Just wanted to say thanks! Just bought an AV '64 tele and this is my first time re-stringing with these kind of tuners. Went absolutely perfect. Cheers!

[@DwightMS1]

When I fit the high E or the B string to a split-shaft tuner, I first make a sharp bend right where it emerges from the top of the post and straight down the outside of the shaft, then wind it around about 1/3 of the post, and hold the string down against the head-stock with my finger right next to the tuner, maintaining tension as I wind. It works most of the time. But because the strings still pop out sometimes, these tuners are a pain in the ass.

[@TheELectricStylez]

yes

[@RATTY120265]

thank you so much, young man, may GOD bless you for many more years!

[@stefvuho78]

I'll try this method out, been struggling for so many years with my Mexican Strat but love using it. I'm a dab hand at getting guitars I love that are such a pain to get strung. Just really hate D.I.Y, cheers mate. I'll keep you posted if I keep having a hard time.

[@MaTtRoSiTy]

Man... thank you. I just got my first Strat and it has these old school style tuners and man was I struggling with this. Pressing down while winding is the trick!

[@TheSpineSplitter1990]

Couple weeks ago I bought a really nice Fender Strat with these type of vintage tuners, screwed up a pack of strings by not measuring, Your video helped a lot.

[@stevehogan8829]

This vid was a world of help for me. The first time I used these original tuners I popped it out about 6 times before I got it. Thanks.

[@robertbuilder8001]

I got my old 1979 strat out of its case for the first time in maybe 20 years. Whatever technique I used to have for stringing it had left the building. I tried blaming the design of the tuners. But I knew the problem was my ineptitude. Thanks for this. Now I'll go and unstring it, bin a new set of strings, and do it properly this time lol

[@AlanH2B]

Thanks heaps dude. Just restrung this guitar properly for the first time...ever

[@leftbasis]

I just got a 62 re issue Strat, and I'm also left-handed!!! This video was immensely helpful. Thanks!

[@bobkempa2754]

Hey thanks man, this helped a lot; changed my way of stringing.

[@CaptainTypho1]

Restringed my strat for the first time thanks to this video, very helpful

[@michaelj1356]

First video I’ve seen that admits how much of a ballache those top to strings are. Thanks for this.

[@nikdevriese3780]

Thanks Shane! Just snagged a tele up with these tuners and weren't used to them at all. Helped a lot

[@taffboyslim]

I have just started playing again after 5 years off. I'd forgotten how to do this for my telecaster. Thanks for the really useful reminder :-)

[@harleyqc9303]

HERE IS HOW TO GET RID OF the ''POPPING STRINGS''... this only work with the 2 small strings. Take the tip of your string and bend it to form a ''V'' of about half inch long. ( enough to put in the post ) . Take the ''V'' shape string tip and put it in the hole and this way the string will not pop out since it will kinda grip in the post ( kinda fishing hook ) . You'll have no more problem winding your string ! I've been doing this for years now and never had a problem ! LIKE THIS COMENT IF YOU TRYED IT AND LIKED IT !!

[@crunchb3rry]

+harley qc Never did it. But it makes perfect sense. Going to do this from now on.

[@harleyqc9303]

+crunchb3rry And if you really wanna be sure , once your ''V'' is in the post , wrap the string around the post before you start winding... there is gonna be NO WAY your string pop outta there !

[@groovemessenger2407]

+harley qc I'm not even a proper guitarist, and the V trick worked for me!

[@harleyqc9303]

Darren Scorza i'm glad i could help !

[@penasusi1898]

worked like charm. thank you very much. before it was with matchsticks, but this is more convenient

[@johnnoipswich7239]

I've just done this on my LH Squire Jazzmaster and I gotta say I think I like these chooners.

[@cgb1941]

Thanks mate, you've saved me a great deal of stress tonight and into the future

[@spottedsaint957]

Thanks for posting this video! I'm thinking about adding this style of tuning machines to my Squier Affinity Telecaster because the tuning machines that came with it ,while they stay in tune ,are a bit jumpy. Plus, I've been doing mods to it... Great video!

[@avenue6.554]

Nice. I’ve been putting off restringing my CV Tele because I wasn’t familiar with the vintage tuners. I’ll be able to attack the job with confidence now. Cheers!

[@dxcman1]

Thanks ... this was helpful as I had to change strings on my new tele and had never changed strings on this style tuner.

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

That is why i watched the high E gave me so much trouble the last time, but it was my tech.Thank you...RocknRollflat5

[@billsmith2041]

I got a Peavey with these...it is a pain...you made it easier. When i got a second guitar... I actually avoided these tuners.

[@rscott222]

Thank You so much. I just picked up Vintage Grover Tuners and I had not idea how to do it.

[@benjaminrmac9171]

This video is sick... love this guy! Thanks for posting it dude.

[@littlewonderlands_]

Thanks Shane. I just got an SRV strat and it has those tuners. I have locking tuners on all my other guitars, so I was at a loss when I changed the strings on the SRV guitar. This helps a lot.

[@gelatosamurai]

Thanks Shane. you are right, these are soo much easier than standards.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

I bought an Ernie Ball Electric String Winder , it’s Very Helpful And the new break proof strings are Amazing

[@awbayes09]

Slightly intimidating your first time! Thanks for a helpful video.

[@hutchfromba]

Thanks Shane. You saved me again. Blues On.... Jerry.

[@patchesdf]

At first glance these style tuners looked like a horrible idea, but you convinced me they look quite manageable.

[@newmanfertig886]

For right handed guitars remember, wind forward (up) to tune higher. Wind down (toward bridge) to tune down. Left handed guitars the opposite.

[@B0rnles13]

Thanks for this, I only discovered I had VINTAGE tuners on a Fender MODERN Player Thinline Telecaster at the weekend, and it was the 1st time I've ever encountered this strange arrangement. I think it's stupid putting vintage tuners on a moder player, but I managed to get it working, the thing I find more annoying on this guitar are where the string trees are, they just dampen the high E string, so I miss out the tree altogether, thanks for explaining it.

[@carlosmink]

+B0rnles13 Begin searching for a brand new full-loaded pickguard for your "Modern Player" instrument. As you recently discovered the vintage tuners, someday you'll discover also that the whole electronics, wiring, pickups etc. of these MadeInChina WithoutQualityAndWithoutCare "Modern Player" were made to be thrown in a trash can. I've bought one and made a MOD changing everything (and the luthier who works for me had a lot of headaches to adjust the WHOLE instrument, even changing nut and after that to fine tune the guitar (the intonation controls came ALL FLAT from the "chinese manufacturer"...). Good luck!

[@B0rnles13]

+Carlos M Thanks Carlos, I've begun to love the guitar, though it could probably do with a visit to the Luthier. I stopped using the string tree for the B and E strings as it was actually dampening the high E string quite a lot. It's the 2nd Fender Thinline I bought from the same online dealer, the previous one was a JA-90 and double the price, it was a beautiful guitar, but suffered from a loose jack clip and massive fret buzz on the E + A strings, I did take it to the Luthier, and he said it needed a setup and fret dressing cost £100.00 I wasn't prepared to shell out more money for a brand new guitar so I sent it back and swore I would never buy a guitar online again, but I have and I could have sent it back, but as it had no major flaws I could see I decided to keep it. I would say the main problem is in the design and Fender don't care about the person who will be playing it, which surprises me, how much longer can they go on producing inferior products and relying solely on the brand name? I also found it hard to find any negative reviews about the JA-90, but all the ones I found had the same flaws that mine had, anyway I meant to keep it short, but when I get started, I just keep on writing. Cheers

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

if you took the strings out of the string trees on your ja-90 that is what created the buzz. string trees do not dampen anything,they give the correct break angle on the nut so the strings to not give a sitar sound or buzz.you created the problem then blamed the guitar.

[@eddydecolombia]

thank you not many people know how to do this or how this works. they try to do it the sameway they tune every other guitar and that does not work.

[@DeeTee79]

I’m thinking about getting these tuners. All my Strats have fender locking. Thanks for sharing.

[@thomassawicki2065]

Whether you can notice a change in your neck or not, the neck gets bent by the truss rod when you release the pull of all 6 strings at one time. The neck is gonna bend one way and back again when you replace the strings. I always go 1 string at a time, I want my neck to stay stable and not get bent for no reason other than my laziness.

[@TheBeatsMX]

Thank you!!! I got a G&L and was struggling with the high E, this tuners are difficult, but I have to say are they really good

[@hippyhobo6285]

This video is quite helpful, and will definitely be changing the strings on my Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster with this method!

[@mojo14520]

the toothpick tip was extremely helpful! thanks !

[@clowncarqingdao]

Thanks. Very helpful. I'll add that of I don't take all the strings off at once I don't find I can clean the guitar well. I'm also a heathen and I use pledge spray to clean my guitar and then go over the fretboard with fast fret and polish off. Never a problem.

[@skaybaltimore]

Thanks man. I just got a Tele clone with "vintage" (slotted) tuners, and of course my first thought was: "Wow. That looks so cool. I've never even seen tuners like this before." Then it hit me: "Wait...how the hell do you string this thing?!!!" Much appreciation. You did the heavy lifting. (I also got the sense that one string was slipping and my first thought was that the tuners were rubbish. I think the tuners are fine; most likely that string didn't get put on properly. Also thanks for the string recommendation. But I'm a little confused. (OK. A lot confused.) The link goes to D'Addarios, but you put on Webstring lights. ??? (NEXT UP: I want to learn how to string guitars with slotted headstocks!!)

[@pannac0tta]

Thanks Shane, I always have your videos running while restringing; on my Gerold Bourbon Deluxe telly (look it up, great guitar!) there are vintage style tuners with a wider, cylindrical base while the mid of the peg is narrower - so when I simply hold down the string, it will wrap around the wider base and not the narrower middle; could be Kluson or wilkinson tuners. Thanks a lot though, you're taught me my restring methods for all my guitars. Regards from Munich and happy easter.

[@Sweer-]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, and for the advice some have given in the comments about bending a „v“ dent in the end of the higher strings. This is what actually made me install vintage style tuners on my Mexican (thank god fender provides a 2 pin version, so I didn’t need to drill) and I’m loving them. For me it is actually a whole lot easier than the regular string-through type tuners. It was never so easy for me, the tuning stability is great on mine and they just look beautiful 🙂 Again thanks, fell in love with my Mexican all over again just from this little upgrade

[@frankie4321]

Wonderful tips Shane, Strat came out a treat, wish I had knew this method years ago, top video

[@Guitarisforgrins]

For the B and high E string, if you wrap around a single side of the tuner on the first wrap, it's very secure.

[@davidkastin4240]

Do you mean do 1/2 wrap and bring the string through the top center to lock it on?

[@Guitarisforgrins]

@@davidkastin4240 yes

[@davidkastin4240]

@@Guitarisforgrins Thank you. I thought so. I found a video that shows how to do it. I have 3-4 guitars with vintage tuners that need new strings and haven't gotten to them yet 😬

[@Guitarisforgrins]

@@davidkastin4240 I was always very frustrated changing those strings till I figured that one out

[@lenny3804]

Thanks man!! Helped me change my strings my very first time, everything went smoothly.

[@ulisesgonzalez9025]

this works perfect, just pull back and down and its so much easier. Thanks so much!!!

[@cassianandor4103]

A tip that I have is to wear a latex glove which helps you keep the string in place and it won't slide between your fingers. Without the gloves the string slips too easily and then you don't have enough tension when you are changing the string.

[@OGR-42]

+JO. O Yeah I agree, and my hand are always sweating as hell so the strings are sliding of my fingers which is very annoying

[@mborel]

Thanks! I could never get the high E string to stay in, as I was pushing down on it at the post, and not closer to the nut. This made restringing my strat so much easier.

[@bradders56]

If you save the bits you cut off they can be used to clean the nut every time you restring.Just pull them to and fro GENTLY and they will remove the gunk without damaging the nut.Then use a soft pencil to lubricate the nut.Been doing it for many years and it works every time.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

again,not necessary.the string does the same thing while you are stringing it.save the extra step and dont bother with the extra work.

[@hablom1977]

Thank you! This gave me a lot of confidence :D

[@ARRITDOR]

Hey Shane, I used your video to change strings on a Fender Custom Shop '58 strat I just bought (my first strat with these types of tuners). This helped make it easy-peasy. Toothpicks are for wimps! I like modern Schaller tuners better but those wouldn't make sense on this guitar. By the way, shout-out from a fellow lefty. Thanks for the informative video.

[@therealjulez7886]

u don't understand how mad these tuners drive me insane.. had no clue u had to pull and create tension so the string could bite. I almost broke my american fender outta frustration, thanks for the help

[@JonasSweden1]

Thanks for uploading Shane! Very useful for me being a lefty as well ;-)

[@1dotele]

great video and yes the high E string can be a booger

[@stonecole4703]

After watching this I find the vintage tuners way easier. I had the b pop out the first time I did it because I was being stupid and checking to see the first wrap went under the second or whatever it is. Now I don't even worry about that, I just give the b and e two firm wraps, push the string down and then start winding.

[@jonmarshall2125]

Thanks this video was helpful to figure out the tuners on my EJ Strat, much easier than traditional tuners.

[@craigjacob3704]

Thanks. I have a budget tele I'm putting split tuners and a nut on today🤗

[@CatastrophicalPencil]

Hey, just wanted to say great video, however I had to modify this method a little to work for my Fender Deluxe Mexican Strat. I bought it second hand from my old teacher and so I think he made modifications to it and updated the tuners, but in my experience you need to give a little over 2 (nearly 3 for some) machine heads for the strings in terms of slack, because I have the real irritating experience of the 1st string slipping out quite a bit, and I even broke a string or two because I hadn't cut it enough. The nice thing about these tuners is that you don't have to kind of eyeball the slack of the string, but the bad thing is that you have to immediately judge how much slack you're gonna need, and you usually get that wrong first go.

[@hackriptide1195]

Took forever to get the first string on, but once I got it finally on, it was easy to put the rest on

[@JRP3music]

Yes, it was much easier I hated them on my Tele Nashville. Huge difference, I fixed a pickup and put new strings on for a friend on a Squire Venus. I was dreading the string change. Thanks.

[@SlowToe]

Thanks man. Being dreading changes the strings on my Fender Squier Classic Vibe. Not anymore.

[@Eikomusic_411]

thank God I found video this it took me hr to change my guitar strings like that .

[@skord176]

3:56 perfectly in sync on the beat

[@mikejames550]

Thanks so much, dude! Fender manual is no help whatsoever. I was cursing these stupid tuners on my Thinline Tele - changing its strings for the first time, and never had these tuners before. Still hate them, but you probably saved me 10 hours of frustration!

[@LawGone1]

Nice job mate!

[@tombuck]

Just what I needed, thank you!

[@TheCaptainnoU]

help me, i cant do the part where you turn it and wrap it around. You made it look so darn easy....

[@jamesiyer4937]

Didn't expect an aussie! Thank you so much for the help!

[@AlinFlorida]

Excellent! Great job!

[@chorkmusic180]

Nice one man. Super simple

[@kbchef9205]

Thank you. Very helpful. Cheers mate

[@jndk6000]

Not sure if your comment is meant as a question. My warning about cutting wound round core strings applies in particular to situations where you cut them before winding them on the tuners. Sorry about deleting the post you replied to - I realized it was double posted, and deleted the wrong one.

[@philcose5388]

in a previous post i mentioned using a acoustic bridge peg to keep string in place, however, i neglected to say you will have to shave the pin to size, also a piece of dowel or even a matchstisk will suffice, i often put the string across the top of the tool and pulling into it.....I hope this hawsn;t confused the issue.

[@joshwaddell8885]

Thank never had to string up a guitar this way very helpful

[@stefanpalicki3538]

gonna get a clapton strat and it has these tuners, cheers mate

[@CGLmusic]

Great video, you made my life so much easier, cheers!!!

[@gerardoromano3436]

Hi Shane, Let me ask you a couple of questions if you don´t mind, at the low E and B string how you didn´t show were you cut them before puting into the tunning peg hole, in other words how much slack you give to the high G , B and E strings (the plai ones ? Don´t know why you cut It out of camera, I bet it´s important because it ends up settiing the total amount of turns you end up wrapping the string arround the post till they are in pitch. Pleas answer I ruined two sets of strings, the plain strings keeps unwindingl, didnt try the toothpick method dough. Thanks in advance. Cheers.

[@cliffhanger8170]

This was super helpful thank you

[@nategarcia5501]

Does the string have to be cut in order to go through fully

[@skye7690]

Great video, left handed guitar?

[@jeffhebert9643]

Hey Shane....enjoy your videos . ...how much of a nuisance do you find removing the neck for truss rod adjustment ?

[@matthesson5618]

Hey man first off thanks for taking the time to do this!! It's helped me alot!! I was wondering why you jump around putting the strings on? Meaning the low E first but then the skipping the A and going to the G or what have you

[@truthboy3936]

Thank you so much for your video, I was seriously going to loss the plot there!

[@mickclarke9334]

Great video man, it all makes sense to me now 👍

[@DongAlex]

excellent video man!