[Jim]

And I am such a blithering idiot I can't believe it!!!

I took off the remaining 3 strings and looked *carefully* at the end that had been on the peg - and it was indeed put on just as it says to do so on the Fender site... Looking at the factory strings still on the pegs they didn't look like they were on that way - but they were. So I put the last 3 strings on according to spec (cutting the string, bending it 90 degrees, putting it in the hole, circling it around once or twice and then tightening the tuning gear...AND IT WAS SO FREAKING EASY!!! I spent TWO hours last night getting TWO strings on and I got the last three on in like 10 minutes. Argh.

So, I now have a hybrid-strung strat - 3 strings put on by brute force and sweat and 3 put on the way the way they should be - and with minimum effort. And they stayed in tune pretty well right from the start and after playing for about 90 mins they are solidly in tune. I did overwind the A string - a big blob on there, and it was the hardest to settle down into tune, but the strat is back now - but I am still an idiot.

Oh well - I learned the HARD way, but I learned. I think it would be good to always have a small pair of needle nose pliars in the case to make bending the string at the tip easy. My string winder has a cutter built into it - as well as a stretcher and tuner - so I should be set now (except for a missing brain... )

I hope I saved someone else from going thru this - in that case it will be worth it!

Well -as I always say... NO BRAIN, NO PAIN!

Jim


OMG - I just made myself a Full Member too!