The Steel Guitar Forum

I just changed the strings for the first time on my recently purchased Carter Starter. I got the new starter string set from the forum. Questions: 1) I noticed that when I had wound my 10 string with the rolled portion of the string on the rod towards the center of the neck (away from the tuning key and hole) that there is quite an angle formed as the string runs towards the channel and then down the neck. Is this a problem, and/or should I rewind the string with the would portion going the other way on the rod, thereby making more of a straight line with the string as it enters the playing area? 2) The instructional viedo mentions starting the 3 string one way on the rod, then changing it to have it roll up the other way, thereby "clipping" it and making it more secure and helping to prevent breakage. Is this the proper way to wind this string and/or is it desirable or necessary to wind the other plain (non-wound) strings in the same fashson?

Charlie,

I always wind the first and tenth strings toward the outside of the guitar to get a straighter pull. All other strings are wound to the inside. Also, I make the first wrap to the opposite side that I intend to finish which binds the tag end between to wraps.

The crossover technique shown in the video is correct and prevents "slippage" of the string on the machine head shaft.

On Carter-Starters, strings 1, 2, 9, & 10 are wound towards the machine head (away from the center of the neck) AFTER the crossover.

Strings 3 through 8 are wound away from the machine head (towards the center of the neck) AFTER the crossover.

String 3 is shown in the video because of the use of extra string length to prevent breakage at the hole in the string post

The above method will line the strings straighter and improve return accuracy.

So, to get this straight, you wrap a couple of times around the post ON TOP of the 1/4 inch peice of string sticking out of the hole, AND THEN begin back the other way right on top of the first winds and then continue in the desired directin on the post itself? Can strings already wound be un-wound and re-wound? Or, once wound, are they ruined or otherwise not able to be re-wound?

Charlie Silliman wrote:So, to get this straight, you wrap a couple of times around the post ON TOP of the 1/4 inch peice of string sticking out of the hole, AND THEN begin back the other way right on top of the first winds and then continue in the desired directin on the post itself? Can strings already wound be un-wound and re-wound? Or, once wound, are they ruined or otherwise not able to be re-wound?

You can rewind strings 1, 2, 9, & 10 with no problems. One wrap and then cross over to the other side will trap the string end.