Very Quick
"Its function is three-fold: 1) String winder 2) String cutter 3) Peg puller So no more running for the wire clippers to pull a peg or cut a string."
"The winder is located on the end of one cutter handle, and the bridge pin puller for acoustic guitars is located on the end of the other handle."
"Again, I didn't realise that the cheap winder I already had was difficult to use because of the handle, but this Planet Waves model makes it almost effortless."
"The bridge pin puller was probably the most helpful and the winder I guess was more of a convenience than a necessity."
"It does not have a return spring nor can it be reopened with one hand like pliars, so you have to use both hands to open it back up for another cut."
"The reason I could only give this product four stars is because the clipper does not have a sharp cutting edge and so my initial trial of cutting very thin wire (not guitar strings) just bent the wire as it slid in between the two clipper pieces, then I pulled some old guitar strings out of the trash to see how well it cut those and at first it just bent the light gauge strings but it easily and immediately clipped a heavier wound string, and since then has been able to clip light gauge strings and even those first very thin wires just as well."
"I've personally had no trouble with this tool, once I figured out how to use the peg remover, and love it--vs carrying several tools to accomplish the task of changing strings on my guitars, I do believe the hint on how to use the peg remover is the best part of this review, and believe that many have gotten frustrated trying to use that part of the tool, only to become disappointed thinking that it is not properly designed."
Planet Waves Pro Winder String Winder and Cutter (Compare Deals from $8.06)
Quick
"Sadly the universal clarity became even more muddied when I realized with some dismay that there are even 6-string bass guitars... Its function is three-fold: 1) String winder 2) String cutter 3) Peg puller So no more running for the wire clippers to pull a peg or cut a string. All the tools you need to change strings are in this one reasonably-priced tool."
"I like it because it is literally three tools in one, containing every tool needed for restringing electric guitar,s acoustic guitars or bass guitars alike in one compact, easy to use package... The winder is located on the end of one cutter handle, and the bridge pin puller for acoustic guitars is located on the end of the other handle... When not in use, the tool folds into a neat, compact size that fits easily into the accessory box of most guitar cases."
"When it arrived I re-strung both my guitars, (both electric, so I cannot vouch for the pin puller on this)... Again, I didn't realise that the cheap winder I already had was difficult to use because of the handle, but this Planet Waves model makes it almost effortless... In fact it required less pressure than it took me with a small pair of wire cutters that I originally kept with my guitars."
"The bridge pin puller was probably the most helpful and the winder I guess was more of a convenience than a necessity... I'm glad I bought it and can definitely see myself using it in the future when I restring my guitar in another 10yrs. Who knows, I might do it for some friends who are better players than me or at least loan it to them so they can change them out."
"I primarily wanted a string winder, and thought it would be nice to have a guitar-specific string cutter on the same tool... This design turned out to be awkward, because if you don't get it lined up on the peg right, you have to fidget with the tool... It does not have a return spring nor can it be reopened with one hand like pliars, so you have to use both hands to open it back up for another cut."
"The winder has two slots, a smaller one width-wise that will fit guitar tuning knobs and a larger one length-wise that will fit most bass tuning knobs, and I read several other reviews saying that the tuning knob slot was too big for guitars and people have scratched their headstock, but now looking at the product I'm pretty sure they were using the wrong slot. The reason I could only give this product four stars is because the clipper does not have a sharp cutting edge and so my initial trial of cutting very thin wire (not guitar strings) just bent the wire as it slid in between the two clipper pieces, then I pulled some old guitar strings out of the trash to see how well it cut those and at first it just bent the light gauge strings but it easily and immediately clipped a heavier wound string, and since then has been able to clip light gauge strings and even those first very thin wires just as well... If Planet Waves updates this product to have a sharp cutting edge, like real wire cutters from a hardware store, I would definitely buy it again; if the one I have eventually breaks though, and Planet Waves has not updated the clipper edge, then I might buy it again because it is a very convenient design."
"the best way is to hold it straight up and down, but SLIDE IT OVER THE PEG from the back side/rear of the peg, by easily wiggiling it from side to side (if necessary) until it flexes enough to go onto/over the peg and then just pull straight up and the peg should come out... Just don't over tighten as it is just plastic and you could easily strip the screw/threads outl The cutter on this unit worked very well for me also. I've personally had no trouble with this tool, once I figured out how to use the peg remover, and love it--vs carrying several tools to accomplish the task of changing strings on my guitars, I do believe the hint on how to use the peg remover is the best part of this review, and believe that many have gotten frustrated trying to use that part of the tool, only to become disappointed thinking that it is not properly designed."
Less Quick
"Sadly the universal clarity became even more muddied when I realized with some dismay that there are even 6-string bass guitars... Its function is three-fold: 1) String winder 2) String cutter 3) Peg puller So no more running for the wire clippers to pull a peg or cut a string. All the tools you need to change strings are in this one reasonably-priced tool... From what I can deduce from the reviews, it appears some folks have inadvertently purchased the BASS guitar version, which does indeed have a wide and deep cup, and did not realize it... The one on mine is vinyl and while it is hard enough to scratch the bridge if one isn't careful-- the same holds true for needle nose pliers. Bottom line is there is some responsibility of the user to pay attention to what they're doing, don't get in a rush, and be aware of the need to protect their instrument while using ANY modification tool... Be aware when reading reviews that many seem to be out of date (dunno why the company didn't simply start a new listing when redesigning the device)."
"I like it because it is literally three tools in one, containing every tool needed for restringing electric guitar,s acoustic guitars or bass guitars alike in one compact, easy to use package... Once you use it, you'll wonder why in the world you ever wound your strings without it... The cutter eliminates the need for dykes, side cutters, or needle-nose pliers and leaves a cleaner string end than either; and it requires less strength to operate... The winder is located on the end of one cutter handle, and the bridge pin puller for acoustic guitars is located on the end of the other handle. The pliers jaw opens fully and stays put to get the winder out of the way while pulling the bridge pins... When not in use, the tool folds into a neat, compact size that fits easily into the accessory box of most guitar cases. The Planet Waves Pro Winder String Winder and Cutter is suitable for steel string and nylon string classical acoustic guitars."
"When it arrived I re-strung both my guitars, (both electric, so I cannot vouch for the pin puller on this). First thing to note was that the winder fit snugly over the tuners... Again, I didn't realise that the cheap winder I already had was difficult to use because of the handle, but this Planet Waves model makes it almost effortless... When I looked at it I expected to see a kind of wire cutter type arrangement, but the cutters are not "knife edges"... In fact it required less pressure than it took me with a small pair of wire cutters that I originally kept with my guitars. Old winder and wire cutters are out of the kit... If it should ever break,(which would not be easy), I WILL buy another."
"My guitar is old, bought it used 10yrs ago, and I've never put new strings on it. I'm also the type of person that will try something first before taking it to an expert after I mangle it terribly. After a little research on youtube and guitar sites about restringing, I decided I could tackle it and bought this little device for my first attempt... However, I can say after successfully restringing two guitars, it was a helpful and affordable tool. The bridge pin puller was probably the most helpful and the winder I guess was more of a convenience than a necessity... I'm glad I bought it and can definitely see myself using it in the future when I restring my guitar in another 10yrs. Who knows, I might do it for some friends who are better players than me or at least loan it to them so they can change them out."
"I primarily wanted a string winder, and thought it would be nice to have a guitar-specific string cutter on the same tool... The winder is a universal type which fits large and small tuning pegs. This design turned out to be awkward, because if you don't get it lined up on the peg right, you have to fidget with the tool. I'd much rather have a string winder with the fitting for one size tuning peg... It does not have a return spring nor can it be reopened with one hand like pliars, so you have to use both hands to open it back up for another cut... Also, I picked this cutting tool because I liked the idea of not scratching my guitar with a big metal tool... I'd recommend anyone restringing a guitar take a look at the how-to video on the Elixir strings website."
"One note about the peg remover part of the tool: The picture shows it straight up and down on/over the peg, as if you would just push it over the very top of the peg from a straight up and down position... the best way is to hold it straight up and down, but SLIDE IT OVER THE PEG from the back side/rear of the peg, by easily wiggiling it from side to side (if necessary) until it flexes enough to go onto/over the peg and then just pull straight up and the peg should come out... You will find it will NOT work this way, as we did the first time we tried to use the peg remover system/part of the tool... it worked perfectly and removed all the pegs rather effortlessly... although you might have to tighten the screw which holds it on occasionally if it becomes very loose or comes off completely. Just don't over tighten as it is just plastic and you could easily strip the screw/threads outl The cutter on this unit worked very well for me also. I've personally had no trouble with this tool, once I figured out how to use the peg remover, and love it--vs carrying several tools to accomplish the task of changing strings on my guitars, I do believe the hint on how to use the peg remover is the best part of this review, and believe that many have gotten frustrated trying to use that part of the tool, only to become disappointed thinking that it is not properly designed."
