Thanks for all your great tips on replacing strings on spinets. A few responses: 1) Regarding removing the action, I didn't make that up. I spoke to a tech who said he always removes the action, even for one string replacement, and even if it takes 45 minutes. But it's good to know there are other ways around it. I do find that rocking the action towards the keyboard is helpful for creating more space. 2) Clamps: I'll check out those recommended vice grips. I know ViceGrip makes some needle nose vice grips, and maybe some others. Also, the company that makes QuickClamps make all sorts of clamping devices, so maybe some of those would come in handy, even for just getting a piece of string out of the way for a moment. I'm a little concerned that alligator clips would pop off the bridge pins too easily, but it can't hurt to try it. 3) "Straw" tool: I like that auto parts tip. I'll try it. One question, though: one recommendation was to have two separate tubes that were connected. I wonder if they need to be connected. I could see a case where it might be helpful to have one half of the string still in its tube to get it out of the way. So it would go like this: insert each half of string into separate tube, leaving a loop at the bottom for the hitch pin, hold tubes together while putting loop over hitch pin, clamp hitch pin to keep string there, remove only one tube from string and install that string onto tuning pin (other string is kept out of the way by being in the second tube), install other string. I have two more stringing questions, which I'll ask in a separate email. Thanks again for your helpful hints. Charles Neuman PTG Assoc, Long Island
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