Brad, Not to downplay the importance of knowing how to change one’s own strings, but it’s great to get a close up view of that lovely head stock. Simple yet elegant design by Chuck and the wood grain is just stunning. I’m a sucker for the beautiful esthetics of wood and the organic sweeping feminine curves of a ‘ukulele. So thanks for sharing this video.
Mahalo for helping to teach the world that anyone can (and should) learn to change their own strings. I work at a music shop in Hawaii and you would be shocked at how many fully grown adult uke players still bring their ukes in to me to get them re-strung. Some of them are even semi-professionals. Lol It never ceases to amaze me that stringed instrument players will neglect to learn how to, you know, _change the strings_ on their instrument. Did they not learn when they were taking lessons? Do they not know they can look up "how to change uke strings" on TH-cam? This happens all the time: Customer: "I've got a gig in an hour and my G string broke!! OMG Can you fix it for me!?!" Me: "Yes.. but while I'm doing that, I'm going to teach you how to fix it yourself next time." Even after all these years, it's still absolutely mind blowing to me. I mean, what do they do if a string breaks ON a gig? Is the gig just over? Lmfao I could change all the strings on my guitar and even do a basic setup when I was 11-12 years old. It's not rocket science. Changing strings on a uke is _almost_ as simple as tying your shoes.
Thanks for sharing. Glad it's not just me. To be fair, I do think a big part of the enthusiast crowd is career professionals who know all about technical, brainy stuff, but have never had to use their hands much. One person at a time.... What music shop are you at?
If you twist the part of the string that stays outside of the ukulele between your fingers when putting a new one in it's easy to catch through the soundhole. In the video it's the right hand at minute 7.24 that would do the twisting.
Are your ukes string-thru? I think the idea is that a uniform bead will create a consistent divot every time that won't get deeper, whereas a bare knot will rotate and dig deeper in random places, eventually (over MANY sets of strings, of course) wearing a hole. It's like the bed of nails trick. If you put all that tension in one spot, it will poke a hole, but spread out, it's no big deal. I dunno. They came with the uke and I trust Chuck so I will continue doing it. YMMV
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Brad, Not to downplay the importance of knowing how to change one’s own strings, but it’s great to get a close up view of that lovely head stock. Simple yet elegant design by Chuck and the wood grain is just stunning. I’m a sucker for the beautiful esthetics of wood and the organic sweeping feminine curves of a ‘ukulele. So thanks for sharing this video.
That's essentially a bowline knot, but catching the tuning peg. Brilliant, can't wait to try this!
I can't see it in my head, but it sounds cooler thinking there's a bowline in there somewhere!
Mahalo for helping to teach the world that anyone can (and should) learn to change their own strings. I work at a music shop in Hawaii and you would be shocked at how many fully grown adult uke players still bring their ukes in to me to get them re-strung. Some of them are even semi-professionals. Lol It never ceases to amaze me that stringed instrument players will neglect to learn how to, you know, _change the strings_ on their instrument. Did they not learn when they were taking lessons? Do they not know they can look up "how to change uke strings" on TH-cam?
This happens all the time:
Customer: "I've got a gig in an hour and my G string broke!! OMG Can you fix it for me!?!"
Me: "Yes.. but while I'm doing that, I'm going to teach you how to fix it yourself next time."
Even after all these years, it's still absolutely mind blowing to me. I mean, what do they do if a string breaks ON a gig? Is the gig just over? Lmfao I could change all the strings on my guitar and even do a basic setup when I was 11-12 years old. It's not rocket science. Changing strings on a uke is _almost_ as simple as tying your shoes.
Thanks for sharing. Glad it's not just me. To be fair, I do think a big part of the enthusiast crowd is career professionals who know all about technical, brainy stuff, but have never had to use their hands much. One person at a time.... What music shop are you at?
Mahalo Brad! I’m a bit late to party but appreciate your help;)
If you twist the part of the string that stays outside of the ukulele between your fingers when putting a new one in it's easy to catch through the soundhole. In the video it's the right hand at minute 7.24 that would do the twisting.
That's a great tip!
I have never seen beads before on any of my ukes. (Even Luthier made) Won't it dig into the wood?
Are your ukes string-thru? I think the idea is that a uniform bead will create a consistent divot every time that won't get deeper, whereas a bare knot will rotate and dig deeper in random places, eventually (over MANY sets of strings, of course) wearing a hole. It's like the bed of nails trick. If you put all that tension in one spot, it will poke a hole, but spread out, it's no big deal. I dunno. They came with the uke and I trust Chuck so I will continue doing it. YMMV
Source for the beads? Brand name?
I got mine on Etsy. Wasn't completely happy with my set so I don't have a definitive source and certainly not a brand name.
Tuning up gives me anxiety
Definitely on the A-string. Even 20 years later it's still a surprise how tight it's supposed to be!