[When I first started, I didn't know you were supposed to change them at all. I thought they stayed on there forever.[/quote]
Yeah,there's no telling how many new guitarists I've had to show how to restring their guitar,and somebody had to show me in the late '60s....you gotta start somewhere. [/quote]

Ha, ha,
yep, back in the late 70's one of my buddies showed me after I told him I needed to run up to the music store and have the guy put strings on for me. I remember my buddy's comment "man, I bet that guy loves you". He then unfolded the mystery of string changes and from that point on, I've tried to learn as much guitar repair and maintenance as time would allow.

I'm not comfortable with re-fretting or acoustic neck re-sets. Sometimes I have to stare at wiring and am still not the most "neat" with a soldering iron but my joints make good connections and hold.

Moral to the story, piece by piece, start picking this stuff up over time and you won't have to depend on anyone else for routine maintenance.

Here's the first tip from "Uncle Jeff":
there is a right end and a wrong end by which one should pick up a soldering iron. (don't ask how I know this little fact. )

Jeff

wow... This guy is gonna freak with a proper setup and fresh strings. I expect very excited posts! Good luck and if you don't use the Trem have him block it and you will really hear that thing roar..

_________________
— did that sound like something?

Dead Strings! You are going to feel like you have a new guitar after the setup. Did you play it much in a year & 1/2. The guitar will thank you with the sweet sounds of the 1st strum. Yes! I would be causious and picky about who touched and worked on my guitar.
Good luck and have fun.

Keep Jammin! Enjoy Life!

I play just about every day. At least an hour each day. Just learning through online lessons. I'm definitely pumped about the setup. Nervous about this fret situation. But at least a lot is off my mind.