I have an American Special Strat and when I change the strings I replace them one at a time to maintain tension on the neck. I recently watched a video of a luthier removing all the strings at once when changing the strings on a Strat. Is this okay to do? If so it would certainly make it easier clean the fretboard and frets as well as reduce the amount of time it takes.

Yes it's fine, your neck can more than cope with having no string tension across it for a few days. I'd start to worry after a month or so. SO don't take too much time cleaning eh

If you get some playing cards, cut them into 2cm wide strips. You can use them to pack either side of the tremblock, which stops the trem moving around when taking the old strings off and putting the new ones on. Re-tuning up to pitch on the new strings is easier because your not relying solely on string tension to position the trem.
Makes for a very quick string change when you get used to doing it.

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Thank you for the reply Nikininja. This certainly is good news and will make string changes (which I do about once a month) easier and faster. The idea of using playing cards to shim the trem block is excellent, I would not have thought of doing that so thank you!

Yeah Stratman. It takes ages when you first get them cards ready to use as shims. It's a case of put plenty in, then add more to take up any slack. But if you cut the cards length ways, you can tape round one end, so you always have em at about the right thickness.
Then simply pull the wedge of cards out before playing.
I put em between the springs, so I'm blocking the trem block from moving towards the neck.
Not perfect but a big help when you're in a hurry.

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In my 26 years of playing guitar, I have always removed all strings at once to clean my guitars before restringing with a fresh set. I have never seen any ill effects of this practice. Keep in mind, your guitar was built without strings, and was only strung up just before being placed in a box and being shipped out of the factory.

Yes, I have always regarded those folks who insist "the strings can ONLY be changed one at a time or suffer the sonsequences" as a little out there. The first time I heard that was about 12 or 13 years ago and at the time I had been changing them all at once for around 30 years. You can well imagine what I had to say about it. Reminds me of the guys who insist it's not a "real" Strat unless, whatever.

On the subject of trem blocking for the purpose of string change I usually find a thin strp of 1/8 or 1/4 inch plywood placed between the body and the block before releasing tension saves a fair bit of time. I run my trems pretty high so I just use an old broken piece of pencil that I keep in my tool box for just such a reason.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

In my 37 years of playing I'll only take all strings of to clean the fingerboard once or twice
a year. Normally I'll remove one string at the time when changing for fresh strings.
When you leave pressure on the neck it will stay in tune faster after you've changed all strings.

Peter

I take all mine off when I want to give it a good cleaning or do work,otherwise it's one at a time and I bring the new string up to pitch with the next one...it's just a habit...no scientific reasoning behind it.

I don't know if there are any differences in method. I remove all the strings if fretboard cleaning and/or any work is required and do one string at the time if the string changing only is required.

There's nothing wrong with each method for changing the strings.
Just personal preference.

Chicken and egg theory here I think. Necks when they are new from the factory have no strings on them when they are strung for the first time.

I think it's all about set up time. If the worry is that tension will change the set up, then you have to check out your action as you install stings. But if you believe that this short time without tension, as it had been when it was born would not create adverse affect, then restringing them all at once should not matter at all.

If there is any notation at all I believe it should be that you should loosen the strings with the tuners before cutting them off. Snapping them while in pitch I believe could cause some rapid movement that may not be good for your axe.

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"You can never have too many guitars."

Geez....cutting your strings of to save time....never done that.

I'd say it's okay to do. I've been doing it like that for over 40 years and have never
had any problems.

Nik does make a good point about packing the trem block and the tuning of the new strings.

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

Don't leave home without it!

I would like to thank all of you who took the time to respond to my question. I really appreciate the information which I will now use the next time I change strings.

Just changed strings the other night. Blocked the trem. Took all the strings off. Cleaned it up nice. Restrung it. Unblocked the trem. Tuned it. All good.