The vihuela uses nylon strings, which stretch more and grip less than steel. Secure knots and locking wraps keep them stable.
Steps:
- Lay out the set in order. Our sets run .033 .041 .030 .033 .041, 1st string to 5th.
- Remove one old string.
- Pass the new string through the bridge hole, loop it back around itself and tuck it under two or three times so it pinches against the bridge.
- Pull the knot snug and take the string to its tuner.
- Thread it through the tuner, wrap the end around once to lock it, and wind neatly.
- Tune close to pitch, then change the next string.
The 3rd string is the thinnest at .030 because it's tuned highest. Don't swap it with the 1st or 4th string, even though the gauges are close.
After restringing, gently stretch each string along its length and retune, several times over the first day. Nylon settles slowly, so tuning will drift until it does. S.I.T. makes CG-VHC1 clear nylon and CG-VHB1 black nylon vihuela sets. See Vihuela Strings.