Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

The String Winder Wobble Blues

#1

Maybe one of you singer-songwriters can use my title for the title of your next hit song.

I change my strings, and have tried using a string winder. (I have two.) I think they would be great if my tuning pegs stuck out the side of the head, but like most banjos they stick out the back. What an awkward position!

I’m trying to keep tension on the string with my right hand while holding the neck & doing the "circular motion known as ‘rub it’ "* with my left. After one or two winds, the cup wobbles off the tuning peg, the neck drops down, my right had loses tension on the string and all my wraps come undone. Aaargh!

Next time I change strings, I’ll try tension with my left & wind with the right, but I’m beginning to think I need a third arm!

If you can say “string winder wobble” threes times fast, maybe you can write the song. I’d try, but I can’t seem to even work the wonder!

  • Frank Zappa - “Don’t Eat Yellow Snow.”
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#2

Just don’t try changing strings on a mandolin yet… :joy:

I don’t use the string winder on banjo. It doesn’t really seem to be designed well for that, and banjo strings are quick enough to wind off by hand anyway for me.

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#3

A capo can serve nicely as a third arm. Also I have a neck cradle, which is made for the purpose of holding the neck up. You can use a pillow to achieve the same purpose.

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#4

I have a cobbled neck support made from 2x4’s & and old piece of cloth. It sorta works, but a neck cradle is no doubt the way to go.

Michael-Mark - You’re right. The string winder just doesn’t seem to be designed right to hold on to banjo pegs. I keep watching these videos of guys using them with banjos, though. No doubt practice helps, but I don’t think I’m going to “practice” changing strings!

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#5

You could also try changing the strings with your banjo in the case on a table. Maybe elevate the neck with some soft material, etc. and you’ll be good to go. :+1:

Though I may just need to get myself one of these!

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#6

@Michael_Mark, that’s pretty slick!

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#7

I pull the string tight and hold the neck & string with my left hand. Feed the string through the tuning peg. wrap around a few times push the string back through the tuning peg and tension the peg with my right hand. I never used a string winder.

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