# Restringing My Guitar **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 5, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558 "2006-09-05T20:56:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![guppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@guppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guppy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558/41 "2006-09-08T21:29:13Z")
[QUOTE=Clothahump] If you are so far out of practice that you have lost your calluses, you can soak your fingertips in vinegar for 5-10 minutes an evening. Your fingertips will toughen up faster if you do. [/QUOTE] Not that I doubt you but has anyone else tried this? I play the upright bass and take a month or two break every year (during which time I concentrate on guitar) which is always followed by a very painful week or two of practice topped of with a bloody fingered gig (good thing they give us free beer). Also, I too have been having problems breaking strings after about 20 years of mostly break-free playing. ☹ I just started using the medium tortex pics; could that be the reason? I am going to start puting on strings over the saddle; hopefully that helps a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558/42 "2006-09-08T21:40:15Z")
Have you got large hands? Put a big, thick, and complete set of Ernie Balls on it and you’ll be playing in no time! I really don’t know why I said that. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558/43 "2006-09-21T17:58:29Z")
I haven’t bought the stuff yet. I was going to go last weekend when I was visiting my brother because there are some music stores in the area, but I didn’t have time. Hopefully I can go this weekend. Anyway, I’m bumping this because I thought of another question. I think I’ll buy a new capo because the one I have is kind of worn. Does it make a difference what capo I get? Obviously they all do the same thing, but maybe there are some that are easier to play around then others. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558/44 "2006-09-21T19:14:53Z")
[QUOTE=Talon Karrde] I haven’t bought the stuff yet. I was going to go last weekend when I was visiting my brother because there are some music stores in the area, but I didn’t have time. Hopefully I can go this weekend. Anyway, I’m bumping this because I thought of another question. I think I’ll buy a new capo because the one I have is kind of worn. Does it make a difference what capo I get? Obviously they all do the same thing, but maybe there are some that are easier to play around then others. [/QUOTE] I recommend a “clamp style” capo - the kind you can put on with one had. A little pricier, but VERY convenient and a better clamping than he “lever” kind… ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558/45 "2006-09-21T19:22:37Z")
I’ll second that. More specifically, go for the Kyser capo for about $10-$20. It’s much easier than the Schubb ones, avoid the cheapie ones with the stretchy cloth. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558/46 "2006-09-22T03:21:57Z")
[QUOTE=Talon Karrde] I’m a little uneasy about taking off all the strings at once, despite **Clothahump** ’s experience (BTW, I should try the vinegar thing- thanks for the tip). My guitar isn’t in top shape and I might be slow with cleaning it. Is there a rule of thumb for how long it’s safe to have all the strings off? [/QUOTE] Well, I don’t leave them off for a long period of time. When I sit down with my guitar to change strings and do some PM, I probably have the strings off for less than 30 minutes. But that’s just me - if the strings are off, I can’t play. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restringing-my-guitar/371558.md?page=2)