Best guitar string winders according to redditors
We found 58 Reddit comments discussing the best guitar string winders. We ranked the 10 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 58 Reddit comments discussing the best guitar string winders. We ranked the 10 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
It’s a String Winder for instruments.
ChromaCast CC-SWTR Trans Red String Winder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KIZROW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ni11Cb997G957
This works great, and I don't have to worry about chipping nice dikes
String winder for string instruments with pegs. This makes it easy to quickly remove or add strings: https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-String-Acoustic-Electric-Guitars/dp/B008XAXQAK
Has nobody heard of the wonderful string winders and cutters? So nice and convenient.
https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C
That's small time. What is really badass is the Ernie Ball Powerpeg. Got it for free with a 12 pack of .10 Slinkies. I've gotten my string change time down to five minutes. http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-4118-PowerPeg/dp/B0019H6750
I use this and it works fine. If you put it on a tuning peg, be careful if you let go for a second. I've had it fall off and leave a small ding in the guitar body.
D'Addario Accessories Pro-Winder Guitar String Winder and Cutter - All-In-1 Restringing Tool - Includes Clippers, Bridge Pin Puller, Peg Winder - Designed to Fit Most Guitars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Eg5iDb87RY7Z1
FOr plain strings, it's not a problem to replace one. However, when you get to the wound strings - new strings are so much brighter replacing one creates a really obvious tonal imbalance.
You should get yourself a string winder - a model with bridge pin puller and string clipper built in. That covers most of what you need to change strings in one tool.
Like this:
https://www.amazon.ca/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=asc_df_B0002E1G5C/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292964781544&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9268416846519880433&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1002249&hvtargid=pla-343873428460&psc=1
Planet Waves Pro Winder String Winder and Cutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_B8uOwb4DF4Y3A
I have this one and while it's a little awkward, I've never had any problems with wear yet. It cuts all the gauges I use easily.
I wouldn't say a string winder is a game changer, but it's definitely nice to have, and the cutter is better than using a Leatherman multi tool (which was my previous string cutter). If you have a traditional acoustic with the bridge pins I bet it helps a lot with that too. It's super cheap though, so it's hard to justify not having it.
You're right, the instrument does not factor in as much as one's interest. Totally right.
Of the packages listed, the first Yamaha one for $159 looks very nice. You'd definitely get more than your money out of it. Yamaha has a great rep. for longevity.
I own this Rogue for $79 and love it to death. I taught Grade 6 and students were allowed to play whenever they wanted - it never got any rest from students or teachers.
I'd get this Snark tuner, this guitar strap, these strings, this string winder, and finally this stand. Oh, and these thin picks.
That gives you a grand total of $119.24. I've either owned or used all of these products and can vouch for them.
Now, the other thing I'm thinking of... there's this instructional book on Google Books, where you get the first 64 pages for free. It's a great resource, but the name escapes me. If I think of it, I'll write back. I hope this helps.
Just to piggyback off this, Planet Waves makes a nice little combo tool that includes a string winder, string cutter, and bridge pin puller. It's pretty cheap, and I use it all the time! Here's a link.
There is a tool that you can pick up (usually for under $10 U.S.) that can make the job much easier. Here's one example: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1506764045&sr=8-3&keywords=String+winder
Many other manufacturers make them as well, and any guitar shop will have plenty. This handy little tool will help you pull the bridge pins, wind the strings (it's more tedious than you might expect if you have geared tuners), and cut the excess string. If your daughter sticks with her ukulele for any length of time, these things are just short of an absolute necessity.
https://www.amazon.com/Music-Nomad-MN220-String-Winder/dp/B01M68GLAB/ref=asc_df_B01M68GLAB/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312039470073&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15553728162068878032&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=200504&hvtargid=pla-435938769271&psc=1
I think it's wiser to learn how to properly setup a guitar on your own. It's not as difficult as many people think and only requires a few amount of tools. Here's what I use:
That's basically it. You don't really need anything else unless you are getting into advanced guitar repair stuff like fretwork or wiring and the like (in which case I would advise you do take it to a pro unless you know what you're doing).
Total cost = $39.93 That's cheaper than any professional guitar setup I know of.
From there you just have learn how to do simple things like neck adjustments, intonation, string height, and pickup height. You can find out how to do all of this stuff with a simple search on youtube.
The advantages of doing it yourself are plentiful. You can find out exactly what relief you like in the neck and exactly what type of action you like on your strings. Professional setups just setup the guitars the way they think they should be setup which isn't always the way you would want to do it.
Also, my guitars go out of whack with the seasons as the neck can fluctuate with the temperature and other things. Rather than pay another x amount of dollars to get it setup again, you can just set it back to the way you original set it up.
TL;DR Learn to setup a guitar yourself. It's better.
EDIT: You need a tuner too. For some reason I just think every guitar player has one of these already.
This guy, and everyone else who plays, should invest in a keywinder
This is more of a stocking stuffer but one of these - http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002E1G5C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1417904591&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
I love mine. It has a winder, clipper and an acoustic pin puller. Kind of a Swiss Army knife of string winders.
Planet Waves pro winder. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002E1G5C
Please get a winder that can cut your strings too, you probably will save 30 minutes each time you restring.
Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=zg_bs_486419011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NGEJQ5ZMA5KDMGHPMJYY
this is a good guide: http://guitar.about.com/od/beginners/ss/acoustic_string.htm#step1
i use the planet waves string winder and cutter: http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452989852&sr=8-1&keywords=string+winder
it has a bridge pin puller, so its easy to pull out the bridge pins. pliers scratch the fuck out of them
Maybe something like [this luthier kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Luthier-Tools-Stainless-Winder/dp/B00XVN3Z5K) , might be worth finding out if he does his own setups, this might be a good thing to have if he doesn't have one already.
This kind of clip on tuner is also a great investment and it makes it way easier to tune without plugging into anything. Beyond that, maybe an effects pedal, but you'd have to know pretty specific information about his guitar playing in order to make the right choice, and if he has 20 guitars, he probably also already has what he needs.
My last suggestion would be something like this [guitar cleaning kit] (https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Care/dp/B0149DGPLQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1491938781&sr=1-6&refinements=p_36%3A1253547011)
You could put together a restringing kit, with the following things.
OPTIONAL
This is about $50 and will last a lifetime (except the strings).
If you only have one guitar and restring it once a year, no. That said, they are so cheap that even then, I would have one. I think I own about 5 by now, though I don't have one of the powered ones yet.
I love my string winders and would never be without one.
Cheap one
Mid-priced
Fancy with cutter (but kind of unwieldy)
Drill attachment
Power winder
There are cheaper ones than I listed and more expensive ones. But this is a decent representation.
3for1!!
Cute nail polish or guitar thingy but really I just wanted to show our lovely funny faces and make someone laugh.
Thanks for the contest!
Get one of these.
You should try different brands until you find the one that suits you best. But I would stick with 9 gauge for your style of playing.
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You should also change your strings every 2-4 weeks, and wipe your strings down with a piece of cloth after every time that you play.
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Here are a few items for you to purchase. When you buy strings, you should buy 3-4 packs at a time, just in case.
GHS Boomers 9 1/2
Guitar string winder
Guitar Honey
Polish Cloth
Although this video is mainly for acoustic guitars, I found it very helpful when learning to change strings. I'd also recommend you get a string cutter/winder like this one and multiple guitar string packs, since there is a good chance you'll wind up with a string that snaps 10 minutes after you put it on. Personally, I prefer D'addario strings with a gauge of 10-46, but keep in mind that changing string gauge may require some adjustments to certain components of the guitar.
Regarding #2:
What I've been doing for the quarter of a century I've been playing (god knows I should MUCH better than I am) is pulling the string and creating a bend about 1" past the tuning peg.
Once I put the string in the hole, I use my right hand index finger to hold the string down and use a string winder to get the first full wrap around the peg and then I pull it taut and guide the additional wraps under the initial one. I generally get 2-3 wraps for the low E through G string, and a handful more for the B and high E string.
For my Strat, I bought the Fender locking tuners and they were SUPER easy to replace. For my teles, one came with the vintage style tuners and I installed them on the other. I use the above methods when restringing my Les Paul or PRS.
The string winder I linked makes things SO much easier and I've yet to have it mess up on me. Plus, having the built in string cutter is nice.
[Easiest way to remove the pins on an acoustic and restring it without damaging your guitar or pins and its only $7 ] (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1414380490&sr=1-1&keywords=guitar+string+winde)
Definitely a tuner, and some spare strings, nothing worse than when one breaks and you can't play for a few days! I think these are the strings you probably want:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-EXL110-3D-Regular-010--046-Electric/dp/B000EEJ91I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473760707&sr=8-1&keywords=d%27addario+10-46
A metronome would be good too, although you can just get an app for that on your phone...
A stand for the guitar would be good, too.
Oh, and a string-winder and string cutter:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-Pro-Winder-String-Winder/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1473761366&sr=1-1&keywords=string+winder
I'm not sure the plectrum holder on your wishlist will work on the guitar you've chosen... I think it will only work on acoustic guitars, because it hooks onto the strings at the headstock, which are spaced differently on electrics.
Also, definitely don't get that Behringer PB1000. That's just the board for you to put pedals on, and doesn't have anything on it itself. The amp you're looking at already has some effects on it, so it's probably best to not bother about any more effects for the time being!
Snarks are awesome.
These string winders are awesome.
Couch makes really good guitar straps.
Happy Birthday ! My favorite birthday was when I was 17(3 years ago) A couple of friends and I ditched school and went to eat and then to the park just hung out for a few hours that day :) this would make changing my guitar strings so much easier :D
https://www.amazon.com/DODOMI-Professional-Guitar-String-Functional/dp/B074ZN88F4/
OF course the tone will be off, unless you have tin ears.
Plus the strings will be oxidized.
Strings are cheap at ~$4-$5 and you you can learn how to do this easily by watch Youtube vids.
Just buy a string cutter at Guitar Center or Amazon and use an tuning app on your smartphone to tune it:
https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509595230&sr=8-3&keywords=guitar+string+cutter
Guitar, Amp, Instrument Cable, Headphones, Auto-Tuner, Metronome, Capo, Picks, Strings, Stand, Strap, Bag, String Winder, Polish & Cloth
Don't make them spend more than ~$200 on this. Consider pitching on for some of the accessories at least (though be aware that some of them are quite necessary right off the bat, such as a tuner).
You won't be able to appreciate the difference between a $100 guitar and a $5000 guitar by sound for at least a year and just to get started you need a bunch of supplies (see list above) and the cost adds up quick.
The guitar won't break unless you abuse it. Squier instruments are decent. In fact, you could even get something like a First Act at Walmart for under $100 and still not be able to appreciate the difference for quite a while.
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Pro-Winder-String-Winder/dp/B0002GJ3BO/ref=sr_1_221?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1319078484&sr=1-221 I would love this... would make putting strings on my guitar a lot easier.
I've really benefitted from having a capo, other than that, extra strings is all you really need. On that note, since you have a guitar already, I'm hoping you have one of these as well? If not, I would highly encourage it.
Buy this $12 tuner from Amazon. It costs something like $30 from Guitar Center so don't get it there.
Add one of these $7 combination string winders and cutters. Just do it. You'll thank me.
Pin puller:
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427138719&sr=8-1&keywords=string+winder
Thanks for your input! Did you happen to buy your all-in-one online? And do you know the company you bought it from? Someone in the comments suggested the "D'addario all-in-one" from amazon, but after reading the reviews multiple people have said that the wire cutter barely makes a dent in the strings. So it basically is useless in being able to cut through the guitar strings and their guitars looks like acoustic (from the pics they posted). I'll link you the product down below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Eg5iDb87RY7Z1
Any help would be appreciated!
Weird - I swear there was a link - https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Accessories-Pro-Winder-Guitar-String/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=guitar+tool&qid=1563290623&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1
Yeah, I just meant for clipping nails. I found myself in a bind earlier this week. For the string ends I use the Planet Waves string winder/cutter. It also has a wedge for removing the pegs in your acoustic. It's one of those items I think every guitarist should own. I use an older model of the product below.
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C
Here's a list of basics that I bought recently to give you an idea:
Feeler Gauges
Hex Key Wrench Set
String Action Gauge
String Winder
Contact Cleaner for Electronics
Neck Rest
I already have various sized screw drivers, but if I didn't that would be on the list as well.
The above would be enough to do a basic setup: adjust truss rod, adjust action, get into the guts and clean the electronics. Everything will fit in a beat up old shoe box haha.
Along with YouTube videos, this book is a good reference guide. It has everything from basic repair and maintenance information all the way to repairing a broken neck or trying to repair a messed up truss rod.
These are great and are cheaper than a good pair of fingernail clippers:
https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-Winder-String-Cutter/dp/B0002E1G5C/ref=pd_sim_267_28?ie=UTF8&dpID=41bSgDct7YL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=JHKQARMWPCC0VJSCH0SZ
Sorry for the double up comment, but if you're really interested in a kit, here are each of the tool's they'll give you
Feeler Gauge
Allen Wrench Set (this is actually more comprehensive)
64th inch ruler
Straight Edge (For judging neck relief/bow)
Mini Screwdrivers
String Winder (with wire cutter)
Compare to $60 dollars
$100:(http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Essential_Tool_Kits/Basic_Setup_Kit.html)
This actually seems like a solid deal, but you can get all of these at a hardware store for less and not pay for shipping and wait around for it.
If you don't have these things:
Dunlop Trigger Capo, (clip-on?) tuner, string winder/string cutter/pin puller this thing, and a set of new strings. If you don't change them often, grab DR Dragon Skins; they're coated with a super-thin nylon coating, like Elixirs, but not as noticeable. They also last forever.
TC Electronics has a line of pedals for $50 coming soon, I would probably save for one of those myself. Remember that every time you add a pedal, you add at least one cable!
So you'll definitely want a guitar stand. Don't put your guitar away, the more you see it, the more you'll want to play it. Grab one of the small clip on tuners, the snarky brand one's are pretty good, and they're dirt cheap. You'll want a string winder too, and keep a couple extra sets of strings around. My favorite strings are the martin SP series strings, very lively tones.
As far as lessons go, while I know a lot of people get a lot out of them, I'd say your best bet would just be finding songs you want to learn how to play, and learning how to play them. These days, you can find a Youtube walkthrough on how to play almost any song. After learning songs you want to play, the abstract concepts of what actually makes up that song will start to soak in. This in addition to learning all your basic chords, and you'll be off and running in no time. The thing I'd be worried about as far as lessons go would be if it ends up feeling like a chore. That being said, it's all up to you.
String winder : https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Accessories-Pro-Winder-Guitar-String/dp/B0002E1G5C
Tuner : https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN5X-Guitar-Violin-Current/dp/B01H74YV56
My Favorite Strings : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002CZST4
Behold your salvation.