Restringe

Restringe is a verb used to describe the act of replacing strings on a stringed musical instrument. In ordinary usage, the standard form is restring or restringing; restringe is a rarely used or historical variant and is generally considered nonstandard in modern English. The term applies to a wide range of instruments, including guitars, violins, violas, cellos, basses, ukuleles, mandolins, and lutes.

Etymology and status: The form restringe appears to be an archaic or experimental spelling built from re- plus string with an -e ending. It does not have a widely attested separate meaning from restring, and it is not commonly found in current reference works. Practitioners of instrument maintenance typically use restring or restringing.

Procedure: Restringe involves removing the old strings, cleaning the instrument, selecting appropriate replacement strings, installing them, and tuning. The precise steps vary by instrument: on fretted guitars and basses, strings are wound around tuning pegs and secured at the bridge; on violins, violas, and cellos, strings pass over the nut and bridge and are secured at the tailpiece or pegs. After initial tuning, strings are gently stretched to help them settle in, and intonation or setup adjustments may be needed.

Considerations: String type (metal, phosphor bronze, nylon, or gut), winding direction, string gauge, and instrument construction influence tension and setup. Proper restringing can improve tone, playability, and tuning stability; incorrect procedure can cause tuning instability or damage. For fragile instruments or complex bridges, professional service is advised.

See also: String instrument maintenance; Replacing strings; Restringing.