How do I restring a resonator guitar?

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Restring a resonator one string at a time, so the strings keep holding the bridge and cone assembly in place. Hook each ball end into the tailpiece, run the string over the bridge saddle and nut, then wind it on the tuner and tune close to pitch before moving on. Removing all strings lets the bridge shift and the cone move. On a resonator, the bridge sits on the cone and is held in position by string pressure. If every string comes off, parts can move, and setting them back takes time.Steps:Detune and remove one string from the tailpiece and tuner.Hook the ball end of the new string into the same slot in the tailpiece.Run it over its slot in the bridge saddle and through the nut. On a squareneck, the nut is tall, so make sure the string sits in its slot.Leave enough slack for a few wraps on the tuning post and wind neatly downward.Tune close to pitch, then change the next string.Settle the strings and retune several times.Watch for:Coverplate rattles: check that the coverplate screws are snug after restringing.Bridge position: if it shifted, intonation and tone will suffer. A tech can reset it.Gauge: resonators need heavier strings than a flat-top acoustic, starting at .017 on top.S.I.T. resonator sets are DBR1756N (Nickel), DBR1756S (Stainless) and DBRGL1756 (Silencer 80/20), all medium .017–.056. See Resonator.

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