You can imagine, changing the strings on a 12-string is a discipline. Praise God nowadays I have an inbuilt tuner, because tuning them all by ear doubled the tribulation. Or triples, as the lightweight, sharp strings bite me on the way off and on the way on, as if in protest in being removed, or being wound and stretched for the first time.
It takes 2-2.5 hours, taking into account cleaning and testing. It doesn't take into account one of the strings breaking and me desperately searching my worn-out "spares" for a suitable replacement. Surprisingly (or maybe not) it is the same string that used to break on my old Epiphone, the string that is on there now is not the one for the purpose (is the wrong weight) and it means that I feel I must get a new set and change it before next week. I'm concerned it may break again at a vital moment, i.e. during the Saturday night worship. Yes, there's one of those coming up again. I have a good feeling about it though, that it will go much better than last time.
The minor irritations in life bring the old feelings to the surface. Yes, something happened again recently which irked me, and nearly caused my "crocodile" to snap. Bless....do not curse...bless, do not curse....repeat 20 times....I need a break, I am so busy at work and in WL, and I am gladly taking a break at the beginning of July. No "fast" this time, just quitting thinking about chorusstorming and singing. I may spend some time on WL work, perhaps some future "solo" or ministry choruses, that's what seems to be in my spirit currently. Makes me wonder what God's next move will be. How exciting.
But there's other stuff that makes me feel low in quiet times, a couple of friends are going through it and I worry for their future, and the knock on effect if their world starts to fall apart. They are never too far from my thoughts, and I want to be a better pray-er for them, never easy for me. And thoughts of my future too...where? how? my will or His? I've said before, it's not so much the outcome that worries me, that's assured, it's the journey. I know of at least two people who would practically drag me back if I tried to drift away.
Yet, it may not be their choice; I'm waiting for something that will surely mean some sort of action required of me. I'm ready.
Hi not sure if I’ve tried to post my method before, though I suspect you may have this in hand anyway. I always use a string winder to speed things along, I also use D’Addario American Bronze and can’t remember breaking a string for years (on my current 6 string admittedly). It’s usually the octave g string that breaks so I’d buy a few spare single strings, if necessary a different make or even try a lighter gauge for that single string. I often ended up playing with 11 strings, it makes little difference live… though one trick is to call the congregation to prayer and try a very quick string change then! I gave up saving old strings and buy new 3 packs. And you could use wire snips to cut near the bridge to aid removal and flirting string ends. And finally, I always like plenty of guitar level in my monitor or stage amp to avoid the temptation to strike the strings harder and break them.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really shouldn't say much about the rest of your post... but my personal testimony is that no matter the severity of trial, God is greater, there is no sensible choice other than to wait on Him.
Thanks, all good advice :-) I'm glad to hear that I haven't just been "unlucky" with the G string. The Epiphone had a dodgy machine head too for that string - which didn't help. Eventually, I did mega wind for extra grip and it hardly ever snapped...I say hardly ever.... Don't think I'd ever use a string winder, despite my whingeing the wounds seem to be part and parcel of the fun. Oh sure, I must be mad. And...yes, I've played with 11 a few times. No it rarely affects the sound of the instrument, but *I* know it's only got 11. And that bugs me. I've taken to having at least 1 pack in reserve, I think I'll start having several - in various guages!
ReplyDelete