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String Winders
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 1:34 pm
by MrNovember
Do you use them?
I keep seeing them recommended by random YouTubers in "guitar hack" or "gift ideas for a guitarist" type of videos (I know

I am very productive when I work from home). I just don't get why you'd need one. I am perfectly capable of turning a tuning peg with my fingers and I don't change my strings enough that saving 10 seconds every time I do is really going to change my life.
Am I missing out?
Re: String Winders
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:49 pm
by Phosphene Audio
MrNovember wrote:Do you use them?
I keep seeing them recommended by random YouTubers in "guitar hack" or "gift ideas for a guitarist" type of videos (I know

I am very productive when I work from home). I just don't get why you'd need one. I am perfectly capable of turning a tuning peg with my fingers and I don't change my strings enough that saving 10 seconds every time I do is really going to change my life.
Am I missing out?
I personally find changing strings on a guitar without locking tuners to be much easier with a peg winder.
There is no real need for them with locking tuners, imo.
Re: String Winders
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 4:33 pm
by Achtane
They're not a necessity, but the ones with the cutters are pretty convenient. It's nice to have if you're fond of making guitars that would go in the hack jobs thread

Re: String Winders
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 4:44 pm
by Pepe
I used to work in a music shop and I definitely needed the string winders there. I had to restring hundreds of guitars in the 18 years until the shop had to close. If you only change your strings twice in a year you don't necessarily need a string winder.
Re: String Winders
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:16 pm
by MechaGodzilla
if you have the split post tuners like on a lot of fenders, the winders can help reduce how often the string jumps off the post when doing the initial wind.
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 5:39 am
by coldbrightsunlight
Achtane wrote:They're not a necessity, but the ones with the cutters are pretty convenient. It's nice to have if you're fond of making guitars that would go in the hack jobs thread

Yeah I wouldn't necessarily go for a string winder on its own but the winder+cutter combo tool is super handy tbh. Good investment of $10
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:22 am
by MrNovember
Pepe wrote:I used to work in a music shop and I definitely needed the string winders there. I had to restring hundreds of guitars in the 18 years until the shop had to close. If you only change your strings twice in a year you don't necessarily need a string winder.
If your job involves restringing multiple guitars a week then it definitely makes sense to me.
I probably don't restring my guitars enough, but maybe I should invest in one with wire cutters and an acoustic peg puller.
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 11:53 am
by Pepe
I always found the winders with an included cutter annoying. I ended up buying a fantastic cutter that can cut electric bass strings like butter (Chess Tools CT-413).
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:16 pm
by Blackened Soul
MrNovember wrote:Do you use them?
Yes!
MrNovember wrote:I just don't get why you'd need one.
Speed.
MrNovember wrote:I just don't get why you'd need one. I am perfectly capable of turning a tuning peg with my fingers and I don't change my strings enough that saving 10 seconds every time I do is really going to change my life.
You clearly don't have enough guitars.
MrNovember wrote:Am I missing out?
Yes.
Now here is what you need!

Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:30 pm
by Paul_C
I've been restringing guitars and basses for a living for 17 years, but don't have to work so fast that I need something to wind strings on with.
How can you be at one with the instrument if you're not making each turn with your hands ?

Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:41 pm
by MrNovember
Blackened Soul wrote:
You clearly don't have enough guitars.
Now here is the real answer!
Also, I would be way too afraid to break my guitar if I was winding strings with a cordless drill
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:28 pm
by Blackened Soul
I'm not saying you have to be careful... and you don't take it to full tension...
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 3:53 pm
by qersty
can you tune to pitch with the bit? that would be a dope skill to have!
Re: String Winders
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:06 pm
by Blackened Soul
qersty wrote:can you tune to pitch with the bit? that would be a dope skill to have!
I'm 86.7% sure I could considering the amount of time I have had to use a hand drill in my life

Re: String Winders
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:03 pm
by the_carl
Achtane wrote:the ones with the cutters are pretty convenient.
I have one of these and I just realized that at least the past two times I've changed my strings, I didn't use the winder part.
