By Greigg Fraser, a guitarist/songwriter from London Canada.
Visit his web site and listen to audio samples from his two CD's.
Since my article on
stringing steel string acoustic and electric guitars has
been posted, I've received several questions sent to me on how to string nylon string or "classical" guitars. Of primary
concern is attaching the strings at the bridge end, so this will be the main focus in this article. ( For attaching the
strings to the tuning pegs, I recommend the "lock wind" outlined in my previous stringing
article.")
There are two common methods for attaching strings at the bridge, most often referred to as:
1) Figure 8 Method
2) Letter D Method
Figure 8 Method
- In the figure "8" you start by slipping the string thru the corresponding hole in the bridge from
the sound hole end. Be sure to leave about 1 �" of string sticking out past the back of the bridge.
- Next pull the extra
string length back towards the sound hole, and loop it around the string where it originally entered the bridge.
- Then
loop the string under and over itself on the top of the bridge TWICE... forming a figure "8" (hence the name). Pull the
string tightly from the sound hole end and attach the string to the tuning peg as mentioned above.
- If you start with the first string, you can catch the "tail" or extra string at the back of the bridge with the loop of the next (2nd, or "B") string.
- Next continue in this fashion thru till the 6th.
- This makes for a rather tidy job and does away with having to trim off the extra string ends�except for the 6th string.
Letter D Method
The letter "D" method is only used for the wound 6th, 5th & 4th strings and goes like this;
- Start as with the figure "8" by passing the string thru the bridge at the sound hole side and
leave the same 1 � " of string sticking out the back of the bridge.
- Next ( as with the figure "8") bring
the extra string length back and loop it around itself, but then loop it under and over itself only ONCE at the very
back of the bridge forming a rough letter "D."
To be honest I recommend using the figure "8" for ALL six strings... but
to each his own. The letter "D" does look a bit neater and cleaner, but for
my money the figure "8" has better
"holding power!" Good luck, and be sure to stretch those strings!
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