Tech Tip: How to Tie a Luthier's Knot When Changing Strings

#guitar #techtips #bluegrass #luthier #banjo #howto #howtochangestrings

[BanjoBen]

Now I know...at my next Thanksgiving family meal, I will not discuss religion, politics, or the Luthier's Knot.

[MyName-nxjj]

Been playing since 1974. This is the method I learned back then, and used for decades. I found a much easier way to secure the strings about 15 years ago. The first wrap of the string goes on top. Never had a slip, and removing the strings from the post is WAY easier than the knot.

[johnnydropkicks]

I’ve just always done the first wrap around above the excess string and the rest of them below it in a coil fashion. That seems to work well for me.

[SINJASON]

I've just been straight up winding my strings up exactly like you just said that you're not supposed to do and I've been doing it for 30 years with pretty much zero problems. I do a lot of bends and stretches on the strings almost constantly so that pretty much pulls all the slack out of whatever is in the headstock.

[bradh.]

You'll never have to change strings the next time! That was great!! Thanks for a really well-explained way to do this!

[michaelweiss]

I have changed at least a thousand sets of guitar strings, I did try this method one time but when I went to change the strings the next time, it was a real pain to remove them. I have found all you need to do is wrap the strings around the peg a couple times, stuff it thru the hole, bend it over, tighten it up, cut off the excess, done.

[danstune]

I have been playing the guitar for 59 years and I have always wanted to be able to do this. Thank you for being so clear!

[SigGuy]

I've been using this method for years and never knew it had a name. I honestly don't even remember where I learned it, but it's a great trick and this was an excellent presentation of it.

[GYMROUSE]

I am older than dirt and have been playing since the sixties. In all that time, I never knew how to properly start a new string installation. Thank you very much!

[jladams]

"Hope it helps."? Heck yeah it helps! I've heard of the Luthiers Knot but never seen it explained and demonstrated so simply before.
Thanks a bunch!

[Dgb]

I bought a Martin D35 in 1987 and there was instructions included to string this way. I don't recall it being called a "luthier's knot" but I've been using the method ever since. I don't know that I have ever run into anyone else who uses it. It does work well for me, never have had an issue with slippage. Thanks for sharing.

[conniefletcher]

I’ve seen a few explanations for the luthier’s knot, but this one makes the most sense!

[kukamunga]

This is by far the best video on how to do this on youtube. No one else zooms in with the good camera angles to show exactly what they're doing like this video does. Great job.

[josephbrosk]

I've been using this technique for a year or so & it works great! I never knew it was called a Luthier's Knot. I'm looking forward to dropping that term in casual conversation! 😄

[claudehopper]

I'm from the first wrap over balance wrapped under school which has never failed in about 50 years and a thousand string changes . But I'm gunna try your knot next change, it's always good to learn new things . Thanks

[smokeytaboo]

I was gifted a banjo and I watched about 5 videos that did not help so gave up for 2 weeks and finally found this 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Exactly what I needed thank you!

[keithteel]

Thank you sir! I had begun to think I was the only guy alive that strung guitars this way. My teacher showed me how to do this when I was 12. I still do it at 65. He said “ this is how they do it at the factory” I guess that is now “the good ole days” Keep up the good work sir! Peace!!

[mercse]

How about using physics and the design of the tuner post to insure that you don't need a knot. If you notice, most new tuning posts are concave and flare out above and below the string hole. After you put the string through the hole put the first wind over the top of the string coming through the hole, then all successive winds below the string end coming through the hole. The concave part of the tuning post then cinches the string tight from the top and bottom compressing the winds against the string end and making it almost impossible to slip. Cut off the leftover string. This makes it a lot easier to change strings in the future.

[ryankelly]

I've used this method for about 15 years and found it to be precise, but I try and keep the windings to a minimum (between one and two winds), and I don't bother going above the string at all so I can just flip the end back over while there is still tension when replacing, and it doesn't stretch as much over time. People find their own ways but I would say if I was charging to restring guitars, I would want to make certain the user will have zero issues every time and this method makes certain of that.
A very informative video, I'm sure a lot of people are finding it helpful.

[mandodude]

I learned how to do this back in 1975 from the mandolin instruction book titled “Bluegrass Mandolin”, written by Jack Tottle. I’ve been using this technique ever since. I had no idea there was a term for it. Thanks Jake!