Acoustic strings.

Jocko

I am about to change the strings on my Larrivée P-03W, and despite having changed strings on numerous acoustic guitars, over the years, I am bricking it! I think it is because it was such an expensive guitar to buy, because it is still "like new" and because I have never changed the strings before, despite having had the guitar for three and a half years.
Anything I mustn't do?

Megi

Lovely guitar (and plush blue velvet-lined case!), The only advice I can think of, and I'm sure you're way ahead of me on this anyhow, is careful pulling the pins out from the bridge. In the past, I've sometimes found it helpful to slack all the strings off, and carefully reach inside the soundhole and push a pin from beneath, if it's reluctant to move. I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine though.

Jocko

That was my fear too. I have a string winder that doubles as a pin puller, and have even used small pointed pliers, But today I ordered one of these.

It should be here tomorrow.

Megi

Jocko said:

That was my fear too. I have a string winder that doubles as a pin puller, and have even used small pointed pliers, But today I ordered one of these.

It should be here tomorrow.

That looks like a handy gadget, I should get one of those myself.

Jocko

https://allparts.uk.com/products/bridge-pin-puller-tool-snapz

ESBlonde

I'm another with a string winder that has the slot for bridge pins. The good news is that you can buy replacement pins from a selection of suppliers if you badly chew one or more up. My old Epiphone is well over 20 years old and still has the original plastic pins although close examination revels they are not pristine, most of the 'wear' is on the shafts below the bridge surface. That said it only gets treated to new strings annually on average so has probably had no more than 25 string changes.

Jocko

It is just that I want to keep the guitar mint. It cost over a grand, and has never been gigged or abused.

Jocko

My Bridge Pin Puller doobrybob arrived today so I replaced the strings. The puller worked brilliantly, with not a mark on the pins.
The string change went smoothly and the guitar is sounding brilliant. I love that new strings on an acoustic sound. I just wished it lasted longer!

Mark P

That's a fancy bridge pin puller Jocko - well spotted!

I have a capo that has a forked end that can be used to pull bridge pins. It does that job much better than it does trying to be a capo.

What sort of strings did you opt for? I have 4 acoustic guitars and 3 different types of strings on them due to their individual sounds and quirks.

Normally I find on day one new acoustic strings are giving me too much zing, and they settle down after being at tension overnight. Or maybe it's that my ears need to readjust? Glad to hear your Larrivée is sounding great after the change.

Jocko

I fitted D'Addario EXP16's. 12 - 53 (same gauge as fitted by Larrivée).
At £15 a set they should be good. Kenny's Music threw them in with my original purchase!
I like the day one sound. Day two always leaves me slightly disappointed.