Taylor 110CE User Manual

Changing Steel Strings the (new, improved) Taylor Way
by Anthony Adams / photos by Rita Funk-Hoffman
I
n the Summer 2004 issue, we showed the Taylor-recommended
way to change strings on our Nylon Series guitars. This time, we
tackle the same process on the more common steel-string guitar,
both because we’ve received requests for this vital information, and
because our thinking on the subject has changed a bit since we did
our first major piece about strings in the Spring 1995 issue.
Indeed, there are as many variations on the process of changing
steel strings as there are players, and not all methods are equally
effective. Some interfere with tuning (too many wraps) and others
make strings susceptible to breakage (too few wraps). Developed
over decades of experience, the current Taylor Guitars method has
proven to provide outstanding results for all steel-string guitars.
1. Position yourself comfortably to change strings. A workbench is
ideal, but good results can be obtained by sitting on a sofa and rest-
ing the neck of the guitar on the sofa arm. Loosen the bass strings
— 6th (Low E), 5th (A), and 4th (D) — by turning the tuners
clockwise with your left hand while holding tension on the string
with your right hand. Loosen the treble strings — 3rd (G), 2nd (B),
and 1st (High E) — by turning the tuners in a counter-clockwise
direction.
2. When all the strings are loosened, use wire cutters to remove the
bridge pins. Using the saddle as a cantilever, exert gentle pressure
to pull out the bridge pins. Now, gently lift out the old strings from
the bridge and discard them. With the old strings literally out of the
way, you have a great opportunity to clean your fretboard. Cover the
guitar’s soundhole with a towel and clean the fretboard with .0000
gauge steel wool. You can rub pretty hard without damaging the
fretboard, but be careful not to let it touch the body!
3. Once your fretboard is
clean it’s time to re-string.
Begin by inserting the ball
end of the 6th string, fol-
lowed by the bridge pin.
Push the bridge pin down and pull up on the ball end until it catches.
Pull gently on the string to verify that it’s “locked” in place.
4. Stretch the 6th string over the peghead. Using wire cutters, trim
the string at the 5th string post.
5. Turn the 6th string tuner so the hole in the tuner is at a 45-degree
angle, then insert the 6th string and turn the tuner in a counter-
clockwise direction to tighten the string. The string end should
protrude approximately 1/8th of an inch from the tuner hole.

Taylor 110CE Specifications

General

Body Shape	Dreadnought
Top Wood	Sitka Spruce
Back and Sides Wood	Layered Walnut
Neck Wood	Tropical Mahogany
Fingerboard Wood	Ebony
Scale Length	25.5 inches
Type	Acoustic-Electric
Cutaway	Venetian
Number of Frets	20
Tuners	Die-Cast Chrome
Bridge Wood	Ebony
Strings	Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light
Finish	Varnish
Electronics	Expression System 2 (ES2)
Fretboard Inlays	4mm Dots

Summary

Changing Steel Strings the (new, improved) Taylor Way

Prepare for String Change and Loosen Old Strings

Position yourself comfortably. Loosen bass strings clockwise and treble strings counter-clockwise.

Remove Old Strings and Clean Fretboard

Remove bridge pins, lift old strings, then clean the fretboard using steel wool.

Insert New String and Bridge Pin

Insert the ball end of the 6th string, followed by the bridge pin, ensuring it's locked.

Trim 6th String and Prepare for Tuning

Stretch the 6th string over the peghead and trim it at the 5th string post.

Tune the 6th String

Insert the string at a 45-degree angle and tighten counter-clockwise with 1/8-inch protrusion.

Tune Bass Strings and Install 5th String

Tune to pitch; two-to-three wraps are perfect for bass strings. Repeat for the 5th string.

Measure Slack for 4th String

Measure one tuner's length of slack for the 4th string before snipping and tightening.

Trim Treble Strings and Tune

Trim treble string ends 1-1/2 tuner lengths past post; hole at 45-degree. Tighten clockwise.

Treble String Wraps and Kink Prevention

Treble strings need six wraps; keep bottom wraps below tuner hole edge to prevent kinks.

Stretch and Tune All Strings

Gently stretch each string until it stays in pitch, then tune your guitar.

12-String Guitar Stringing

12-String Trimming Differences

Trim bass strings two tuner lengths past post; trebles three tuner lengths past post.

Slot-Head Guitar Stringing

Slot-Head Trimming and Wrapping

Trim bass strings two tuner lengths, trebles three. One wrap inside, rest outside the string end.