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777 Views 15 Replies Latest reply: Mar 1, 2012 5:17 AM by leyfr01 RSS
lindsayward Just Startin'
lindsayward
156 posts since
Mar 7, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Jan 18, 2012 5:13 PM

Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

Hi folks. I've had a Variax 600 with Planet Waves Auto-Trim tuners for the last few years, and changing strings was a breeze.

I changed the strings on my 59 last night and found it a bit tricky with the ball ends falling out of the bridge while I tried to hold the strings in with some slack to wind a bit around the peg posts.

It made me look into getting the auto-trim tuners for my 59, but perhaps I just need some help and experience for effective restringing on the 59.

I'd appreciate any advice, thanks.

  • gandyman2 Just Startin'
    gandyman2
    7 posts since
    Jul 28, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 19, 2012 10:45 AM (in response to lindsayward)
    Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

    Hi,

    I saw an expert video a couple of years back on how to change strings and though it seemed unorthodox at the time it really is a good way to deal with the problem you outline.  The difference to normal stringing in this expample is that after the string ball-end is located at the stop-tail and the string pulled tight over the bridge and through the nut this expert then began to wind it round the capstan first.  Once he had a couple of neat turns done he held it tight with his fingers on one hand and threaded the end of the string through the hole above the wound on bit, used pliers to pull it through tight and then pulled it up and at 90 degrees to the hole before starting to turn the winder and get the string up to tune.

    I hope this is making sense - there is a video somewhere but I have just looked at about 20 on youtube and can't find it.

    It seems a bit of a back-handed method but it really works.  I always use it with all of my guitars. I like strings to be neatly wound and not too many turns either.  This way you get as many as you want or need before you poke the end through the capstan hole.  I use about two turns at the low E and about five on the top E with varying numbers in between.

    If you can work out what I mean, it might speed up your string changes. I use it on my JTV-59 and never have any difficulties.

    Hope this helps - if I locate the vid I will post a link for you.

  • TonyHay Just Startin'
    TonyHay
    21 posts since
    Nov 21, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 21, 2012 8:21 AM (in response to lindsayward)
    Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

    Likewise.  I've had dozens of guitars over decades and never had such a difficult time changing strings as with the 59.   Like you, I got through it in the end, but the process is extremely awakard. 

    • abock33 Just Startin'
      abock33
      42 posts since
      Mar 14, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 21, 2012 9:05 AM (in response to TonyHay)
      Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

      I changed the strings on mine this past weekend. It was a pain. You need 3 hands. Thankfully my wife was willing to help. While i was messing with the same issue, i thought that a piece of scotch or painters tape on the bridge might help keep the ball ends in place. You could even use a capo as close to the body ov the guitar as you could get it. I'm thinking that a wrap style capo might get you closer to the body. Then you just need to keep tension in the string above the capo to keep the ball end secure. i haven't tried these but in theory they should help.

  • lindsayward Just Startin'
    lindsayward
    156 posts since
    Mar 7, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 23, 2012 6:22 PM (in response to lindsayward)
    Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

    Thanks folks for your suggestions. I'll give them a try next time I restring.

  • ice9mike Just Startin'
    ice9mike
    19 posts since
    May 5, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 25, 2012 9:17 AM (in response to lindsayward)
    Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

    I know this may not be the easiest solution, but this problem can be completely eliminated with use of locking tuners. When you change strings with locking tuners you just pull them tight through the post, turn the lock dial, and wind the string. The ball stays tight in the bridge the whole time. Locking tuners are always the first mod I do on any of my guitars.

     

    ice9mike

    • TonyHay Just Startin'
      TonyHay
      21 posts since
      Nov 21, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jan 25, 2012 2:05 PM (in response to ice9mike)
      Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

      IceMike, that's a good point.. I think the problem arises because the bridge was designed to be used with locking tuners, as supplied on the USA 59. 

       

      The problem is that Korean 59's ship with non-locking.  With non-locking tuners there is nothing to hold the string in place unless you have three hands, or you use masking tape, or a cleverly placed capo, etc, as suggested above.  All of which are reasonable suggestions to get around the problem, but it is a bit ridiculous that the design is so bad that we have to have a lengthy discussion about how to do something as basic as change strings. 

       

      If we're all missing the point, perhaps someone at Line 6 could chime in.  If the design isn't flawed, and there is a way to change strings without jumping through hoops, perhaps you could let us know.

      • mkrohne Just Startin'
        mkrohne
        50 posts since
        Jul 22, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 25, 2012 2:46 PM (in response to TonyHay)
        Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

        I know that some have found locking tuners that work on the Korean JTV 59s.

         

        What I wonder is: what are the locking tuners that go on the US JTV-59s?

      • Rewolf48 Just Startin'
        Rewolf48
        133 posts since
        Aug 9, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jan 26, 2012 6:01 AM (in response to TonyHay)
        Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

        I don't know if this will help as I don't have a JTV yet... just want one but the wife has a few conditions before I can spend £1K on a new guitar...

         

        Anyway back to the point; for many years now I have "locked" the string using the string itself and rarely put more than a single turn on the tuner - I can't remember where I got the technique from but I did it originally on a really cheap trem guitar that wouldn't stay in tune when the wammy bar was used and this method improved things no end.  It is so quick and easy I can't imagine doing anything else and it sounds like the technique will solve the problem you are having:

         

        I align the hole in the post so it points down the neck, thread the string through and take up the slack exactly as you would for a locking tuner - this will put enough tension on to prevent any slip at the bridge.

         

        Then "lock" it by bending the string towards the center of the neck, pulling it around the post and under the string on the other side of the post, then do a U-turn and pull it back in the direction you just came from and without letting go of the free end start tuning.  After about 1/3 of a turn the free end will be clamped by the main part of the string and if you have done it right the string will be in tune after about 1 complete turn. Then cut the free end (which will have moved a little) just below the top of the post so it doesn't catch anything (like your clothes).

         

        This speeds up the string changing process no end because I rarely ever put more than a complete turn on any string, and makes the tuning much more stable.

         

        Look at the video here: http://www.wikihow.com/Change-Guitar-Strings the only difference is that the guy doing this demo leaves a lot more slack on than I do and doesn't align the hole first.

        • ice9mike Just Startin'
          ice9mike
          19 posts since
          May 5, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jan 26, 2012 8:59 AM (in response to Rewolf48)
          Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

          I used this method before I discovered locking tuners and it works well. The tuners that come stock on the JTV59 are decent and should keep decent pitch. I didn't notice any backlash or slippage with them.

           

          I installed Sperzels on my 59. It requires some drilling for the mounting post and leaves a small hole from the previous tuners, but I just left the original screw in those holes and I think it looks cool that way. I will try to post some pictures later today. For most people the hole drilling and installation is best left to their guitar repair shop. For me it was not an issue. I have a drill fixture that I made with CAD and a rapid prototype machine at work. One of the benefits of being a mechanical engineer.

           

          For those that do have locking tuners intalled, you will never go back. It's just so easy and conevnient to change strings. Tuning stability is improved and future tuning up is less frequent because the strings stay at pitch.

           

          ice9mike

  • TonyHay Just Startin'
    TonyHay
    21 posts since
    Nov 21, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 11, 2012 7:09 AM (in response to lindsayward)
    Re: Changing Strings on JTV-59 - tips?

    Just returning to report on using one of the suggestions here... I previously found changing strings on the 59 to be fiddly because the string slips out of the bridge in the process. However I tried using a capo to hold the string in place, and it makes it all much easier.  I put the capo at about the 12th fret - doesn't really matter where it is, as long as it hold enough tension to stop the string slipping out.  This effectively solves the problem.  Thanks for the suggestion.

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