String length for windings???

[ChromeBeast]

I can not believe I am going to ask this question since I have changed strings thousands of times, but here goes:

I am real careful to make sure I have the correct amount/number of windings are my tuning pegs, and I make sure no windings crossover another. This certainly helps the guitar stay in tune.

Now for the question, does anyone know a rule or tip to determine how much slack you start with to acheive the the results above? I don't know how I do it, I just kinda guess and it usually works out, but I was thinking that there must be something more scientific or practical to measure the how much string is needed to wind around the posts the best number.

I hope you understand my question, it's kinda out there.....lol

Shane

[Lordathestrings]

... but I was thinking that there must be something more scientific or practical to measure the how much string is needed to wind around the posts the best number...Well, more scientific may not be more practical! :)

If you divide the distance from the lower edge of the hole in the tuning peg post to bottom of the post by the diameter of the string, you will get an approximate value for the maximum number of turns. Of course, this gets invalidated by the reduction of the string diameter under tension, and more than 5 turns is likely to store slippage that will cause tuning problems.

Multiplying the tuning peg diameter by Pi (3,1416) will tell you how much string length to allow for each turn, but again, that result doesn't take into account the string stretching under tension. And if your tuning peg posts are 'scooped' (not straight-sided), you have different peg diameters at different heights!


My advice is to note how much string is on the peg when you remove an old set. Then use that as a guidline when you install the new set. Eventually, you will know exactly how much of each string to wind on.

... At least until you try out a different brand, or a different gauge! :)

[Dr_simon]

For me...
two times round at the absolute max.

This is not scientifically but empirically determined over 20 years playing (admittedly badly most of the time however you still need to change your strings).

I use locking heads (i.e. PRS or Sperzils) these-days so I'm more of a half a turn lad !

[Azrael]

funny.. i never concerned myself with how many windings i use per peg/string. and i never had tunig problems. strange................

[pstring]

I knew I should have stayed awake in math class! Well their is a method you can experiment with, once you get the string thru the tuner peg, place a hand about mid-way on the fretboard so that your palm is facing the tuner, the string is now is running over the top (thumb&1st finger side) of your hand, this will give an approximate amount of slack to wind on, depending on the width of your hand and the thickness of the string you'll be able to get a rough estimate of how much slack you need, I usaully go about a hand width on the trebles and a little more as I move toward the 6th string and I get about 2-2 1/2 winds per string..................

[SLY]

I always like to wind the whole string !
I even did that for few years before I got a string winder , can you imagine how boring and painfull that is ? (I change strings once every 4-6 weeks , silly , yeah ?!)

Ah , forgot to say , I use Floyd Rose , so I never worry about staying in tune. :p

[Lordathestrings]

Actually, with several wraps around the post, there is less tension at the sharp bend where the string goes through the peg. This helps to reduce the probability of breakage. Because I use fairly thick strings, I can only get 2 to 2 1/2 turns of the low E string on the peg, but I usually put on 5 turns of high E. I also lock the strings by trapping the loose end under the first wrap.

[ChromeBeast]

I must have been in a real weird place when I posted this. I re-read it today. How silly to even wonder about it. I have never had a tuning issue or "wasted" a string. I suppose sometimes we focus too much on the tech stuff and not enough on playing.

Too funny......


Shane