I’ve put it off long enough…my strings have no life left in them. Here’s my question. Previously, I’ve used a luthier’s knot on the peg. But I watched Ben’s video on guitar string changes and love how he simply loops the string over the peg and starts winding. That’s how I change my guitar strings now. Is there any reason I can’t use that same method on my mandolin?
Mando string change
That is how I do the wound strings and I have never had an issue with it.
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Use the same method, yep.
Follow up…I’m having something very frustrating happen while changing strings. I’m snapping my E string while getting up to tune. Yesterday I snapped two E strings during the process. Luckily, I’ve done it in the past and had ordered some individual E strings for when it happens. It’s got to be operator error so if anyone has any suggestions, I’m all ears. BTW, on my third attempt, I bypassed that 90 degree hook and looped directly to the tailpiece hook that is in line with where the E string is positioned. Not sure if that is recommended or not but the string didn’t snap. Thanks in advance for any tips
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You are tuning the string too high. Tune to the lower E note.
Perhaps what Archie said. Perhaps there is a problem with the nut or bridge slot. They can be sharp or too tight, so if it breaks in the same spot every time, I’d consider those items suspect.
Are you changing the string one pair at a time or taking off all four and starting from scratch?
I am not visualizing your tailpiece as you describe it, so if you could post a picture of that. (And for anyone who thinks this is the wrong forum for such a request, I and talking about the tailpiece on the mandolin) 
Where are the strings breaking? same place each time? Down at that hook?
It’s common that those can break strings and you’re fine to go straight to the tailpiece hook.