I've always done it the Martin way on both acoustics and electrics: pass the end through the post hole, half a turn backwards, hook it under the string, tune up to lock in place and cut off the excess.
This is morning I came to restring a Taylor, which hasn't been restrung since it left the factory, and found that they do it differently: cut to length, put the end in the post hole, and wind it around two or three times.
The advantage of the Martin method is that you don't have lots of turns around the post wherein tension losses can occur. With the Taylor method you do have turns, and they lower point at which the string leaves the post, increasing the nut break angle.
Which method do you prefer, or do you do something different?
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The only time the break angle becomes an issue is on Fender-type guitars on the G string if there's no second string tree - but these often have slotted posts so you can't use the Martin method anyway. On those I vary the amount of wrap in order to get enough break angle - except for the top two strings, where I do a variation of the Martin method by taking the string back around the post the wrong way for half a turn, then across the slot.
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Ive done it that way every string change for 14 years now. The only exception is with locking tuners or Fender split posts.
When I was doing non-locking guitars in the shop, I used Mark Arnquists Technique.
I'd pull the string through.. measure 3 fingers worth hanging out the other side.. then pinch that with my left hand and push the excess back to the post.
The first wind of the string would go arond the post ABOVE the string and all others would add UNDERNEATH. Don't forget to stretch a little and retune.
The guy is on youtube.
Can't remember the last time I had any tuning problems unless it was down to a badly cut nut or crappy tuners.
It needs less windings and gives greater tuning stability as the strings can't slip round the post.
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Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after youI thought it was something original i had come up with .
I have seen loads of restringing guides in mags but never seen it shown this way , it is a great and easy way of self locking a string.
Still think it should be called The Alvin Method .
Me too. Works a treat.