The Steel Guitar Forum

I am selling a GFI Ultra s10 for a forum friend who lives out of the country, and is selling his Florida home. The guitar has been sitting untouched in his empty home for 6 years. I got the guitar & all it really needs is a good cleaning,restring & setup. I have no issue, other than the fact that I have never changed strings on a keyless guitar & not sure how to proceed.
Do I loosen the "tuning keys" so that the lever is flush against the faux roller before attatching the new string? How do I tighten the replacement string so that it is reasonbly secure when I tighten down the holding screw?
Last but not least, am I correct in assuming this guitar is an all pull mechanism?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Rich Upright wrote:I am selling a GFI Ultra s10 for a forum friend who lives out of the country, and is selling his Florida home. The guitar has been sitting untouched in his empty home for 6 years. I got the guitar & all it really needs is a good cleaning,restring & setup. I have no issue, other than the fact that I have never changed strings on a keyless guitar & not sure how to proceed.
Do I loosen the "tuning keys" so that the lever is flush against the faux roller before attatching the new string? How do I tighten the replacement string so that it is reasonbly secure when I tighten down the holding screw?
Last but not least, am I correct in assuming this guitar is an all pull mechanism?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Try this link: https://www.gfimusicalproducts.com/_fil ... aee9c3.pdf

Rich, they are tricky at first. I have an Ultra SD-10 keyless and cursed the first (and last) time I changed strings.

Loosen the "keyless" finger by turning the knobs (11mm socket) clockwise as far as the finger will go towards the neck.
Loosen the screw that clamps the string, Remove old string.
Install new string, wrap around screw, pull the string (I use pliers) to take all slack out. Tighten screw and cut off excess string.
Turn knob counter clockwise to tighten and tune.

I'm using SIT Sho-Bud gauges strings.

Jack's instructions are good. Especially get that String 3 .11 as tight as you can pulling it with pliers before you tighten the lock down screw.

If it's not tight enough you will run out of travel length of the tuner.

Here is the standard factory setup

A few more suggestions.

If the guitar is a few years old, It may not have the hex cut to use a 11 mm socket, Get a blue examining glove (Smurf Glove) for left hand, Gives a better grip and less blisters.

Be sure to use a good Phillips Screwdriver, So it grips secure in the screw head, And not tear up the lock screws.

A 4" or 6" pair of Vice Grips are great to pull strings.

I remove all the strings, Screw screws down flush in the fingers, Start with largest string and work toward No. 1. Makes it easier to pull and wrap string.

Be sure to align and center the nut bar under the first string placed on guitar.

Do not wrap the string over itself under the lock screw, The string will damage itself where it crosses over.

Good Thing, It is not a 12 string, Those big wound 11th and 12th string, Would make it much harder.

My favorite guitar is a GFI ULTRA S12 Keyless.
Good Luck on this project.

Hey guys thank you all for your replies...gonna try & restring it today.