Changing strings and my D'Addario 4th string is stuck! Any suggestions on getting it out appreciated. Nothing like this has ever happened to me!

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

I usually use the end of the low E string to poke it out, if I already changed that one. There's another post somewhere on here where people said what they do for that, but I don't remember any examples.

Good idea! I Googled it after posting here. Ended up using a small Allen wrench to poke it through. It was stuck for a good 10 min. or so. Freaked me out! I've changed the strings maybe 5 or 6 times on my new Strat and this has never happened. Yikes! Low E string is a good idea cause that's the one I change first. Thanks.

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

I've had this problem a lot with D'Addario strings and my Strat. I found that a simple hook tool from Sears works great to reach into the block cavity to dislodge the string end. These tools usually come as part of a set:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_ ... yword=pick

The pick with the slight curve fits nicely into the cavity. There's a basic version of these tools that are much cheaper.

_________________
Custom Shop '59 Stratocaster
AV Hot Rod '52 Telecaster
AV '56 Stratocaster
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Any string can do this in a Strat not just D'Addario's. I wouldn't use an awl. You run the risk of making burrs in the string hole causing all kinds of string breakage problems. Just use the method JasonSD described. I've been doing it that way for decades with no damage.

Hello Gldfshkpr,

Fender bullets & superbullets do not
have this problem FWIW.

Also if you have a complete drill bit set
you can open it up a few thousandths.

Cheers.

Thanks for the suggestions. Does the Callaham block have this annoyance? If not, that's one more reason to upgrade the block. Either that or start using Bullets.

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

My book on the strat says that even bullets will sometimes stick. It's a common enough problem that guitar tool kits often include a tool called a trem poker to get the string end out. You can do the same thing with something called a "cake tester" that you can buy cheaply at kitchen supply stores. It's just a long steel rod with a ring on one end to hold on to. I've used the heavy paper clips that I straightened out, too.

_________________
Frank
A legend in my own mind.

+1

Works everytime!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I have a Callaham block and it will not accept bullets well. The receiving hole is too shallow and the bullets stick out of the block.

_________________
James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

Good to know, thanks! Thanks to the other suggestions as well. On a related note, is it just me or does everybody find it easier to take off the back plate when changing strings? The holes don't line up with the slots well enough. I have my bridge flush with the guitar body.

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

Hello Gldfshkpr,

Yep thake the back plate off,
stick it in you case with the screws,
and Fagetaboutit.

Cheers.

I stopped using Bullets because they occasionaly got stuck.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I never found it to be that big a deal. I have a couple of non Fender guitars that do it on occasion too.

Have you tried to use a large paperclip? Unbend it to the first bend, stick it in from the bridge side of the guitar and tap on the end of the string a few times. It should dislodge. I have even used a wire clothes hanger to dislodge them before. BTW this is why I use Orginal Bullets in my Strats, I have had very little issues with strings getting stuck.

RK