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Making Loop Ends of Replacement Strings
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introductionTo get started, you need to make a loop-twisting jig. Below is a list of everything you need. materials: board nail tools: wire cutters a clamp or two locking pliers Tip: If you don't already have this tool and have to buy it, you can find generic brand locking pliers at discount stores, flea markets, and the like, for next to nothing, and they work just fine for this job; every bit as well as the "name brand" locking pliers, in my opinion. But of course, this is just my opinion, and you may have your own ideas about this. Anyway, you need a pair, whatever brand, to make loops.
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making the jigMaking the jig could hardly be more simple. The steps are: 1. Drive the nail into the board, near one end. 2. Bend the nail into the shape of a crank. The jig is finished. All that remains to do is to clamp it to the top of a work bench or table. Note: You want to use a nail just larger in diameter than the hitch pins of the instrument you're stringing. If you use one that's smaller, you probably won't be able to get the string on the hitch pin, which would mean you would have to do it all over with a larger-diameter nail. So make sure your nail is big enough. At this point, you should have something that approximates this: ![]()
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determining location of the loop
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starting the loop
At this point, stop, let go of the locking pliers, reach over the wire and take a new hold on the locking pliers, and make the same vertical clockwise circle, back to 6 o'clock again, let go, reach over, re-grip, circle, 6 o'clock, let go, reach over, re-grip...and so on, until you have an approximately 1/4" long "hangman's noose":
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finishing the loop
Note: The ends of music-type wire are needle-sharp. Be extremely careful...wear leather gloves if you need to. OK, you're ready to install your new string. If it's a wound string, you may want to "whiz" the winding back at the tuning pin end. Instructions for "whizzing" and for installing are at the Guide to Installing, which I welcome you to consult.
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