[font=trebuchet ms]Among other things, you've just discovered why it's a good idea to replace strings one-at-a-time instead of taking all of them off.

The ball at the string end has a tendency to stay at the end of the pin. This is dangerous because it can cause the pin to come out of the bridge and the string can hurt you. Install them this way:

• Put the pin on the string with the bottom end of the pin at the ball of the string.
  


• Insert the pin into the hole in the bridge plate, with the pin slot facing the bridge saddle.
  


• Just before the pin is in far enough to get snug, wiggle the string while gently pulling on it. This should cause the ball to slip off the end of the pin, allowing the string to pull back out a bit.
  


• Then push the pin firmly into the hole while keeping some tension on the string.
  


• Do not allow the string to slip back into the bridge plate hole. When the ball end is in it's correct location, it is wedged between the pin and the underside of the bridge plate. The tension on it pushes the pin against the other side of the hole, making it stay in place.
  


• Keep pulling on the string while you thread the other end into the tuning peg.
  


• Tighten the tuner until the string matches the pitch of the next lower string. You can tune the low E to B.
  


• Pull the string up away from the neck about 1/2" (1 cm) at the 12th fret a few times, and then re-tune it. Repeat this until pulling up on the string no longer makes it go flat.
  


• Then tune it to proper pitch.
  


• Do the next string.

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