A banjo's bridge isn't attached. It's held in place only by the pressure of the strings. If you take all the strings off at once, the bridge can fall or shift, and the intonation will be off when you restring. Changing one string at a time avoids that.
Steps:
- Detune one string and remove it.
- Hook the new string's loop end over the matching tailpiece hook or pin. Keep a light pull on it so it doesn't slip off.
- Guide the string over its slot in the bridge and through the nut.
- Wind it at the tuner, leaving enough slack for a few neat wraps, and tune close to pitch.
- The 5th string runs from the tailpiece to its own tuner near the 5th fret. Make sure it sits in its small nut or spike at that fret.
- Repeat for each string, then fine-tune and gently stretch each string.
When you're finished, check that the bridge is still standing straight and in the right spot. If it's leaning or has moved, detune the strings slightly and set it back.
Our banjo strings are stainless steel over a high carbon steel hex core and loop end throughout. Our sets include B5920 Light and B51024 Medium for 5-string, TB41128 for tenor and PB41126 for plectrum.