Simple Easy Tool

[Tod Gilding]

I was recently setting up my latest build,getting my nut slot to an exact depth when John the woodrat introduced me to a very simple but effective tool, The Stew Mac String lifter,this tool is fantastic for something so cheap and simple, so anyone like me that does not know about these things I recommend having a look.
I have also convinced Rob from my tool store to stock these for Australian buyers,along with his other stew Mac Products ( I have no connection to My Tool Store)

http://www.mytoolstore.com.au/products/ ... ifter.html

[Ormsby Guitars]

I bought one of these a while ago. Honestly, I found it just took longer than doing it the 'usual' way.

[Tod Gilding]

I'm Amazed Perry I was slacking off strings cutting the slot a little and bringing the strings back to tune re checking and if it wasn't right doing it all again and again with this thing it's 1 second to drop the string out of the slot file same tool puts the string back into the slot 2 second job. but what ever you find works for you I suppose

[Dominic]

I got a few of these from SM a couple years ago. Use them all the time. Neat little tool.
Cheers
Dom

[Trevor Gore]

I got a few of these from SM a couple years ago. Use them all the time. Neat little tool.
Cheers
Dim

You're too modest Dom!

[68matts]

I bought one earlier this year when I bought some fret wire to get a Uke finished. Unfortunately it my haste to get at the fret wire that I forgot all about the string lifter and must have thrown it out with the packaging. (DOH must have had to many of these )

[ozwood]

+1 for the lifter Tod , I love Mine , use it all the time.

Cheers,

[simso]

I bought one of these a while ago. Honestly, I found it just took longer than doing it the 'usual' way.

I would agree, when I bought one, I thought this is great, loosen the string off lift it with the lifter cut the nut lift the string back in and bring back to pitch, went and bought another 4, I was that impressed, it lasted about a week or two.

Now, they sit in the draws. Takes less time to simply lift it with the old fingers than go looking for a special tool to do the job.

[Ormsby Guitars]

I bought one of these a while ago. Honestly, I found it just took longer than doing it the 'usual' way.

I would agree, when I bought one, I thought this is great, loosen the string off lift it with the lifter cut the nut lift the string back in and bring back to pitch, went and bought another 4, I was that impressed, it lasted about a week or two.

Now, they sit in the draws. Takes less time to simply lift it with the old fingers than go looking for a special tool to do the job.

It's one of those tools I show people:

"look at all the specialist tools we need..."

"ooo.... ahhhh..."

...then dump it back in the 'special' draw with all the other stuff I dont use

[ozwood]

OK ,

Two votes from the west Against, Fair enough they do it 20 times a day.

Does it really matter if we Back shed novices like them , they are only a couple of bucks.

Not Like Tod is recommending a $1000 peice of equipment that's shit !

Just Sayin !!!!!

[kiwigeo]

I got a few of these from SM a couple years ago. Use them all the time. Neat little tool.
Cheers
Dim

Think wed better correct that typo....

[kiwigeo]

I bought one earlier this year when I bought some fret wire to get a Uke finished. Unfortunately it my haste to get at the fret wire that I forgot all about the string lifter and must have thrown it out with the packaging. (DOH must have had to many of these )

How do you go unwrapping tonewood???

[Matt Bach]

I've found they can dint/marr softer fretboards if you use it as prescribed so I don't use mine any longer either. I mainly work on electrics so I guess different strokes etc but just a heads up.

[Nick]

I haven't seen one of these before, I take it you still have to de-tension the string to an extent,in order to get this thing to lift the string out the way? It takes me all of a few seconds to de-tension the string some, half a second to lift the loosened string with my fingers & drop it into a neighbouring slot & re-tension the string. I'm afraid I'd be with Perry & Steve on this one as a "I can't see the point" tool.

[68matts]

How do you go unwrapping tonewood???

I usually try and do that when I'm sober

[Tod Gilding]

Nick, No you don't have to take any tension off, that's why I like this, easy out of the slot and easy back in all with the strings at standard tune.

I can see the point that it could dent a soft fingerboard, but how many builders use soft fingerboards ?

I have used it with a rosewood board with no marking of the board at all.

I didn't expect to open a can of worms here

[Ormsby Guitars]

No can of worms, just an alternative view.

You gotta remember, a lot of people who might do something once a month (or once a year!), recommend things on these forums.

There are others that do it day in, day out.

If it works for you, knock yourself out.

Ive used these sporadically during my guitar building classes, because the guys just LOVE all the little tools. Sure, I find them a waste of time, but the novelty of a weird little tool, and the excitement the students have in using one after discovering it, is worth it. It's all part of the course... show them a couple different ways of doing things, and they'll find their groove.

However, as someone else said, they can mark a fretboard (rosewood and maple) when used with regular or larger acoustic sized strings and an average (or steeper) headstock angle.

[Tod Gilding]

Agreed Perry , I enjoy hearing all the alternative views, and someone doing it day in day out will obviously have a differing take on the processes. Thats why I find the ANZLF a valuable resource.

would you mind detailing your Alternative process without using the lifter ? Any tips, tricks ?

[Ormsby Guitars]

Agreed Perry , I enjoy hearing all the alternative views, and someone doing it day in day out will obviously have a differing take on the processes. Thats why I find the ANZLF a valuable resource.

would you mind detailing your Alternative process without using the lifter ? Any tips, tricks ?

grab the string near the bridge, slide your fingers up towards the nut, underneath, and pop it out of the slot. No need to detune, retune, etc etc.

[Tod Gilding]

Agreed Perry , I enjoy hearing all the alternative views, and someone doing it day in day out will obviously have a differing take on the processes. Thats why I find the ANZLF a valuable resource.

would you mind detailing your Alternative process without using the lifter ? Any tips, tricks ?

grab the string near the bridge, slide your fingers up towards the nut, underneath, and pop it out of the slot. No need to detune, retune, etc etc.

For some reason I was expecting a new trick, but yeah that works, Thanks mate

[Nick]

Nick, No you don't have to take any tension off, that's why I like this, easy out of the slot and easy back in all with the strings at standard tune.
I didn't expect to open a can of worms here

No worms here, I've had me tablet & flea treatment just recently
I suppose it's good that you don't have to retune but do you have to hold the wee doohicky while you work on the slot? Personally (and that's all it is) I like to hold my nut file with both hands for better control (one at the tip and the other at the handle stops any chance of 'rolling' the file in the slot laterally or longitudinally), it's just my engineering training coming through

[Tod Gilding]

Nick, I like to hold my nuts with both hands as well

[nnickusa]

Just when you're filing them, or all the time?

[Kim]

grab the string near the bridge, slide your fingers up towards the nut, underneath, and pop it out of the slot.

Yeah well one day Mr Thrill Seeker ur gonna break a fingernail do'in that and then you'll see why Dan the 'Stewmac Superman' spent countless days at the bench just scrath'in his Optivisor to come up with the mighty string jack...

I have one of those string jack draws to Perry, it has all kinds of guitar 'stuff' in it including a string jack I don't use but there is other guitar stuff I simply would not be without such as the trusty Dunlop Turbotune string winder (remove crank handle and fit hex drive shaft of head to any cordless driver ) These guys have multi fit slots so work on any tuner button large or small.



Cheers

Kim

[kiwigeo]

If some of you blokes spent less time thrashing yourselves senseless you'd have enough strength left in your fingers to wind your tuners without having to use a fancy gizmo.