Removing all strings at once - why not?

[BrickGlass]

Sometimes common sense will give a "clear" illustration of a specific situation.

How much pressure do strings put on the neck when tuned up, that it actually "bows/bends" a solid strong maple piece of wood?? Would you say quite a bit? Well, it takes an additional "steel" rod inserted in the neck to compensate and straighten out the strong piece of maple wood (so yes, a lot of pressure).

Now, take the strings off your guitar (without adjusting the truss rod) and the truss rod will act like a set of tuned strings going the other direction!!

Now you tell me, do you really need someone to tell you that this situation is not healthy for your guitar??!!

Yes I do need someone to tell me, someone besides you, that is why I asked for some proof or documentation of what you are saying. We are talking about changing the strings here and not leaving them off for a year. You said that "over time this will take a toll" and I just would like some evidence of this if you have any, besides your opinion. You are more than welcome to your opinion, just wondering if something backs it up.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I've had luthiers, techs, teachers, blah, blah, blah tell me both sides of the story and all I can say for certain is that given the nature of the instrument and the host of varying factors that contribute to putting tension on the neck (i.e. environmental conditions, user care, use, individual wood structure, gauge of string, number of truss adjustments, number of string changes, time left with tension, time left without tension, picking hand, etc.) there is no real definitive, empirical evidence to support either side of the case.

The proponents of "removing strings one at a time" are merely abiding by the "better safe than sorry" mantra, and there's simply nothing wrong with that. I'm too lazy, and remove all of them at once anyways, and I've never had problems, significant or otherwise.

 

[DrKev]

Remember that many of us here have our guitar necks set with little or no tension on our truss rods. That tells us one of two things - either a) the tension due to light gauge electric guitar strings is not much to worry about, and/or b) neck construction with a truss rod is a lot stronger than without, even with no tension on the truss rod.

Either way, removing the strings does not produce an unhealthy amount of force in the opposite direction from the truss rod. The truss rod is NOT exerting the same amount of force as the strings because it is just adding a little extra to the existing strength of the neck.

Stay polite, folks. Remember, on the internet, nobody can see you smile and could read some phrases the wrong way. Especially on an international forum with varying styles of language use and comprehension. OK?

 

[killerburst]

... there is no real definitive, empirical evidence to support either side of the case.

I disagree. Empirical evidence is based on observation and experimentation. My own experience and observation with restringing and setting up hundreds upon hundreds of guitars, as well as discussion with many, many luthiers (including Tom Anderson), have shown zero evidence that restringing guitars by removing them all at once will cause any damage whatsoever over any length of time (10+ years on a single guitar). Conversely I have never heard of a single report of a neck exhibiting any side effects from having strings removed for maintenance. Not even anecdotally. Not once.

...The proponents of "removing strings one at a time" are merely abiding by the "better safe than sorry" mantra, and there's simply nothing wrong with that.

That is a very good point. Nothing wrong with changing your oil every thousand miles either.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I disagree. Empirical evidence is based on observation and experimentation. My own experience and observation with restringing and setting up hundreds upon hundreds of guitars, as well as discussion with many, many luthiers (including Tom Anderson), have shown zero evidence that restringing guitars by removing them all at once will cause any damage whatsoever over any length of time (10+ years on a single guitar). Conversely I have never heard of a single report of a neck exhibiting any side effects from having strings removed for maintenance. Not even anecdotally. Not once.

In addition to a proper sample size and a methodology which can eliminate variables and isolate constants. I certainly don't disagree with you on the point at hand, I haven't experienced any adverse results as a result of changing them all at once either. Though, I feel some assertions on the subject thus far haven't been fair, considering that the EBMM FAQ states that removing them all at once, has the potential to reduce tuning stability. It doesn't mention any inherent "damage" unless I misread something. What some have stated is that removing strings all at once could potentially have undesirable effects, which isn't absurd to consider in the least.

That is a very good point. Nothing wrong with changing your oil every thousand miles either.

Well that mantra certainly does come with its own dose of common sense. Slippery slope. The practical degree to which the said mantra can be implemented is, of course, to the discretion of the one doing so.

Anyhow... I change 'em all at once, that's just me, and its worked for me. But I certainly don't have any qualms with those who choose to go the other way, especially if there's a potential for some benefit to the instrument.

 

[Spudmurphy]

The question of whether to adjust or not adjust the truss rod when taking off the strings raises two issues.
1) The trem can fly off the posts but there are ways to remove all the strings and still get away with it - so be careful is the rule here.
2)Removing all the strings will cause the neck to want to obtain a back bow.
On a nylon strung guitar there is no truss rod. The nylon strings do not exert the same force as steel strings - but there is a considerable force exerted even so. The neck is engineered in such a way that strength of the wood can cope.
On a steel strung guitar, removing the strings may result in less relief or a modicum of back bow, but usually it is not that much. It would be enough that if it were to stay like that when you restrung the guitar it would probably feel different. But remember guys, wood has inbuilt strength, may not need much help from the truss rod, and is sawn in such a way that the grain will help with the forces exerted wood is strong and supple stuff - emphasis here on supple.
I always coach my managers in work, telling them to challenge based on fact, on evidence, so that the challenge is effective and not mere conjecture. So what facts, what evidence do we have here?
We have a lot of people saying that over the years they have removed all their strings, cleaned the neck and restring - all this done without adjusting the truss rod - with no problems - I fall into this camp.
We also have evidence to suggest that people will adjust their truss rod when taking off their strings. I fall into this camp too - when I removed the neck from my JP6 I slackened the truss rod. I thought that it was the right thing to do as the neck was gonna be off the body for a while - there was no problems when it went back together. I'm not gonna side either way. TNT knows enough about guitars to satisfy his "method" and I can see exactly where he's coming from. I know enough to make a judgement call as to whether to adjust or not adjust.
The OP has raised a question that has resulted in a few different opinions.
Nobody wants a really nice guitar to be ruined - and I don't think you will ruin it just by taking the strings off for a couple of hours.
Good question, good replies. There will never be a definitive right or wrong answer - just opinions and that's the good thing about "hobbies" - it gets guys passionate about their guitars, cars, collections - but remember there will be times when opinions will differ - no problem as long as it's done courteously, with no offence given.
edit Jeez - i didn't expect so many posts, in the time it took me to type this lol

 

[musikarero]

After reading all of this I have come to the conclusion that I will not change my strings at all.....LOL!

 

[ScoobySteve]

After reading all of this I have come to the conclusion that I will not change my strings at all.....LOL!

LOL! Haha, back to listening to Deano shred up Backstreet Boys.

 

[killerburst]

With a floating trem I stick a folded, clean polishing cloth under the trem to keep tension on the springs and the plate level. This keeps the trem from moving around while I work on the guitar. I will say that I have seen folks who are inexperienced with floating trems have difficulty getting back in tune because of the balancing that needs to be done. In those cases I have recommended changing strings one at a time until they get comfortable with using and maintaining a floating trem. It does take a little finesse.

 

[djlynch]

when I re-string a floyd I tend to do one at a time. Really just to avoid the floyd moving around. I have also taken them all off at once when I clean the neck. The trem returns to the same spot both ways. I use 9's and don't change strings or clean my neck all that often.
I would think if there is a very strict way of doing it guitar makers would send strict instructions.

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

Isn't steve morses' guitar tech part of the community here? He can clear up this debate real quick.

 

[Dr.Strangenote]

I just do them one at a time, old one out, new one in, it's much easier for me that way. Once the fretboard gets extremely filthy, then I'll go the route of blocking off the trem, and getting a deep cleaning, which is in about 1 year. It would be different if I were touring and playing 30 shows in 30 days.

 

[Jamie M]

All at once, always have always will

 

[luv]

It seems clear that lots of guys are doing it either way (full string removal and one or two at a time), with no clear bad results either way. I'm guessing that as long as your strings are on your guitar 99.9% of the time, you're not going to have any problems with it. That means that you could have all your strings removed from your guitar for about 43 minutes in a month. I probably have mine off for about an hour in a year, if that, but I don't change my strings or oil/wax my neck all that often. I'm sure that guys that play a lot more than I do (or that sweat more) would have their strings removed more often, but it seems that you would have to leave the strings off of your guitar for extended periods of time for it to make a significant difference. I don't claim to be an expert, nor do I play one on tv.

 

[beefyslinky]

For a long time I would take two strings off at once just to keep some tension. Most of my guitar luthier friends say they take all them off for a thorough cleaning. If your using the same guage strings i would assume the neck tension should remain the same.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Wow this thread is as fun to read as the "neck shim or no neck shim" threads.

If I am cleaning the fretboard and frets then all the strings come off at once. If I am just doing a simple restring I will replace a few strings at a time, usually 4 + 2.

 

[Bungo]

The answer as with most things is really 'whatever works for you.'

I mostly play JPs and remove all strings at once. To make it really easy and safe, I stick a rubber door wedge in the gap behind the bridge which keeps it in firmly in place, and stops any chance of it pinging off the posts and doing any damage.

Works for me!

 

[Spudman]

30 plus years of taking all the strings off at once has not caused any issues with any of my guitars. It's a fast and efficient way to clean, inspect and change strings.

I too stick something under the bridged on my Floyd equipped guitars to make it easier and faster to get strings back on and up to pitch. I also put the ball end of the strings at the tuner so I only have to make one string cut.

 

[ozzyrules]

30 plus years of taking all the strings off at once has not caused any issues with any of my guitars. It's a fast and efficient way to clean, inspect and change strings.

I too stick something under the bridged on my Floyd equipped guitars to make it easier and faster to get strings back on and up to pitch. I also put the ball end of the strings at the tuner so I only have to make one string cut.

+++++++++ 1. I think we're close to closing this thread, almost.LOL!!

 

[TNT]

After reading all these posts I decided I'm pulling the neck on all future string changes. I'm taking the "neck" out of the equation all together!!