rjames1973 Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 I have a relatively new Gibson Les Paul Studio. I tried to restring it for the first time today after having it set up and restrung a couple of months ago by my local guitar tech. When I took the strings off, the stop bar tailpiece came out immediately. I put it back in when I went to restring the guitar, but when I started to tighten the low E string, the tailpiece came out again and will not go back in. Could someone please tell me how to restring this thing? It's a complete mystery to me. I've never owned a Gibson Les Paul before, so this is a learning experience for me. Does the fact that the tailpiece came out mean that the intonation is now messed up? Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzwart Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 There ya go lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzwart Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 And no, the tailpiece coming out will not mess up the intonation, seeing as it should go right back into place! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjames1973 Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks, ajzwart. So, why is my tailpiece coming out and his isn't? There ya go lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzwart Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks, ajzwart. So, why is my tailpiece coming out and his isn't? Mine comes out sometimes too. Its normal! Nothing to be afraid of. Just try putting in the high E and low E strings in at the same. It can be a little persnickety, but nothing to FRET over [biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzwart Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 In fact, over three years of owing epiphone les pauls, the tailpiece never came out. First time i change the strings on my Gibson when i got it, it fell right out! Scared me for a second, me actually. Next time I changed the strings on my Epi, the I pulled on the tailpiece, and sure enough, it came out. Seems like it is made to do that, so should be normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 .... So, why is my tailpiece coming out and his isn't? Did you watch the video? One string at a a time. . . . . Your tailpiece doesn't lock on. The tension (pull) of the strings holds it in place. If you removed all the strings, nothing is holding the tailpiece in place and it falls off the anchors and scratches your top. Change strings one string at a time. If you want to clean you neck, clean it with the old strings on and then change strings - one string at a time. In the situation you've got now, put the 2 E strings into the tailpiece; set the tailpiece on the anchors and then use a capo to clamp the strings in place on the fretboard, which in turn will hold the tailpiece in place while you put the strings ends into the tuning pegs. Once the strings are on the pegs, put some tension on the strings and you can remove the capo and put on the rest of the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjames1973 Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 ajzwart, Thanks again for the help. I forgot to mention that I took ALL of the strings off at the same time, as I wanted to clean the frets and apply a little Guitar Honey. I know that is not the recommended method to restring the guitar, though. I'm terrible at these things, so I'm probably just going to take the guitar to my local guitar tech or GC tomorrow to have them restring it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Just put the fourth string on loosely then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjames1973 Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 BigKahune, I guess I screwed up royally on my first Gibson Les Paul restringing, huh? I'm a Fender Strat owner, so this is completely new to me. I'll try the method you suggested, but I'll probably just take the guitar to my local guitar tech or GC tomorrow to have them restring it. Did you watch the video? One string at a a time. . . . . Your tailpiece doesn't lock on. The tension (pull) of the strings holds it in place. If you removed all the strings, nothing is holding the tailpiece in place and it falls off the anchors and scratches your top. Change strings one string at a time. If you want to clean you neck, clean it with the old strings on and then change strings - one string at a time. In the situation you've got now, put the 2 E strings into the tailpiece; set the tailpiece on the anchors and then use a capo to clamp the strings in place on the fretboard while you string the ends to the tuning pegs. Once the strings are on the pegs, put some tension on the strings and you can remove the capo and put on the rest of the strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 . As long as your guitar is okay, no problem. TonePros make a locking tailpiece - a set screw on each wing hold the tailpiece in place - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/tonepros-standard-locking-tailpiece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOSTVENTURE Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Things could always be worse. You could be playing a Steinway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I think the statement that a 'Tone-pro' bridge or tailpiece aids sustain is rubbish. All the screws do is hold it in place when re-stringing. The tension with the strings on negates the point of screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nitefly Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Did you watch the video? One string at a a time. . . . . Your tailpiece doesn't lock on. The tension (pull) of the strings holds it in place. If you removed all the strings, nothing is holding the tailpiece in place and it falls off the anchors and scratches your top. Change strings one string at a time. If you want to clean you neck, clean it with the old strings on and then change strings - one string at a time. In the situation you've got now, put the 2 E strings into the tailpiece; set the tailpiece on the anchors and then use a capo to clamp the strings in place on the fretboard, which in turn will hold the tailpiece in place while you put the strings ends into the tuning pegs. Once the strings are on the pegs, put some tension on the strings and you can remove the capo and put on the rest of the strings. Hi there +1 - One string at a time. I believe it is also a good idea to tune up each string as it is replaced before moving on to the next one. The info in the following link is also somewhat helpful (for next time ). http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/TechSupport/Instrument%20Information%20Guide/Stringing%20your%20Guitar/ Nitefly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pure Evil Music Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I remember when I bought my first non trem guitar. It was an Epi SG. Same thing happened to me. Took all the strings off because I figured I'd give a good cleaning, then DING! The tailpiece falls. I freaked out and called my buddy that worked at our local repair shop. He had a good laugh at my expense. Built it up to be some major catastrophe, then leveled with me and told me it was no big deal and to keep the D and G string on while changing the other 4, then do those 2 last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjames1973 Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 All, Thanks for all of the replies. I still haven't restrung the guitar after my minor fiasco over the weekend. Lesson learned. I'm probably just going to take the guitar to my local guitar tech and have him restring it this time. Is it alright to keep all of the strings off of the guitar for a few days? I wasn't sure if this would cause any issues with the neck tension or set up I had done on the guitar a few months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild_Rose Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I found this is the best and probably easiest way to restring my LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 so you now know the tail stop can fall off.. no biggie. just make sure when you take off all the strings your ready to grab the stop and put it aside before it scratches the top. Clean the guitar then start stringing.. only get the strings started which will hold the stop tail and bridge in place. Then bring it up to tune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjames1973 Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 All, Thanks again for all of the replies and videos. I will definitely refer back to this thread when I need to restring my LP Studio again! Yes, lesson learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 A quick tip: Since I always change all my string at the same time and also clean my fretboard, I put a little masking tape on the tail piece and on the bridge thumb wheels to prevent movement. I can then clean the fretboard and install the new strings without changing any of my settings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 . Removing all the strings at once - opinions vary on this. From the other side of the coin - Most instructions you find contain a caution about removing all the strings at once. Removing all six strings at once dramatically changes the pressure exerted on the neck of the guitar. Relieving this pressure, and then adding this pressure back by putting on a new set of strings can cause some problems for your instrument. The most often heard reason for removing all the strings at once is cleaning. Clean the neck/fretboard with the old strings on, then change them one at a time. If you feel you must have all the strings off for a "good cleaning", reserve that for once a year, with an eye toward limiting the amount of time the guitar is unstrung during the change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoFrills Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I always leave one old string on to keep the tail piece in when I am cleaning under the strings and restringing the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 FYI...rather lenghty videos on strings by Kiss tech...a Gibson presentation.. http://www.youtube.com/user/GibsonGuitarCorp#p/search/0/k30WwLi1cQ0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 A quick tip: Since I always change all my string at the same time and also clean my fretboard, I put a little masking tape on the tail piece and on the bridge thumb wheels to prevent movement. I can then clean the fretboard and install the new strings without changing any of my settings. Good idea there. Almost a "duh" thing-but truly, the thumbwheels for the bridge and the studs for the tailpiece can spin all over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorturedZen Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 ajzwart, .... I'm terrible at these things, so I'm probably just going to take the guitar to my local guitar tech or GC tomorrow to have them restring it. Seriously? I'm sensing some sort of defeatist mindset. Do yourself a favor. Learn how to do your own string changes and setups. It's not rocket science plus it will save you money. The only time I ever took my LP to a tech was when I had a replacement nut installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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