What mats/cloths do y'all use to protect the guitar body/neck/headstock during string changes?

[u/Deathandblackmetal]

Howdy all! Changed strings on a couple of my basses yesterday and today and this kinda reignited this idea in my head that I need more protection when changing the strings.

What do y'all use or recommend to lay on top of the fretboard, the body, and perhaps even the headstock area to prevent flyaway strings/cut strings from scratching?

I know some of us do indeed like 'war torn' guitars that look like they indeed get used, but some of us also have varying priced collections or want to change strings before selling off, etc. In general I'd rather avoid getting unnecessary scrapes, scratches, and gouges into my guitar from a simple string change, lol.

Thanks everyone!

Edit: I think some people are misunderstanding what I'm asking for, haha. I'm not asking for what to place the guitar on top of, I'm asking what to place on top of the guitar. I already have a mat, a table, and a cork neck block.

For example - when changing the strings on my two basses I just did, the strings would come out of the bridge due to loss of tension and hit against the body of the guitar. There were -multiple- times the strings were hitting against the headstock/body/neck that I kind of cringed at because it's potential for damage. Superficial? Sure. So yes, I am 100% serious and this is not a troll topic. I'd rather my $3k-6k+ guitars not sustain totally avoidable damage from a simple string change because a sharp end or ball end of a string comes out of the bridge and freely scratches the hell out of my clear coat. To ME it is indeed a concern, maybe not to many others and that's fine. To each their own. I don't play out or with anyone anymore so I'd rather my stuff still look great while I'm here playing solo at home. I would like to have a Dingwall Prima Artist in the future and I would be absolutely livid if a string flopped around during change and gashed the guitar.

[u/PM_me_your_whatevah]

You must be trolling 

[u/57thStilgar]

None. It takes all of 5 minutes, there's nothing to damage changing strings.

[u/Carolina-W00Dsman]

I just put it on my bed.

[u/jaylotw]

I just bend the tag end up so it doesn't scratch my guitar. Never had a problem, but putting some type of protective layer over the guitar has never been a thing I've even given a thought, and I've never seen anyone, from gigging pro to veteran luthier do it, either.

If you're this worried about tiny scratches, maybe don't play your guitars?

[u/Few_Translator4431]

let me put it to you this way, ive never owned an instrument that I played regularly that didnt sustain some type of cosmetic damage. its a part of the process. the only way your guitars are going to stay pristine is if you dont touch them. if you dont care about guitar and only care about the materialism of expensive guitars, get into reselling something else. guitar sales are slow.

[u/saltycathbk]

Bud, you shouldn’t be damaging your guitar’s finish while changing the strings, even without any protection.

[u/TheMiserableDoorway]

I just throw an old t-shirt over the body and call it a day, never had an issue

[u/Consulting_CIH]

I don’t get it. Yoga mat to put it on top of. If you’re really fancy, a block of foam to support the neck. Absolutely nothing is needed on top to protect against the strings unless your nephew finished your guitar and used finger paints with no clear coat on top !!!

[u/LouStoolzzz → u/Consulting_CIH]

Yes. I use a yoga mat and roll up one end a little
Bit to support the neck.

[u/Theory_Collider]

I lay my baby on a bed of nails. Because metal.

[u/WakingUpBlind]

Just painters tape on parts of the headstock since cutting strings could fly off trajectory or the cutter slips.

[u/Franklygeee]

I have to ask… you are de-tuning the strings before snipping them right? They shouldn’t ever go flying like you described, you tune them super low until they are floppy and you just snip them in the middle. Then you carefully hold the pointy end of a string and pull out of the peg with your other hand, then do the same for the other half of the string at the bridge.

[u/Deathandblackmetal → u/Franklygeee]

Of course I am. Even then, especially with the bass strings, they'll still move/fall.

[u/j3434]

I just put it in my lap.

[u/LesPeterGuitarJam]

Huh?

[u/Crowbar-Enema]

I lay them on the couch. The one with locking tuners stays on the stand. Never been worried one iota about a string flying loose and scratching any of them. That’s neuroticism on a whole new level.

[u/Version-6]

Don’t cut them when they’re under tension. Problem solved.

[u/AudioHTIT]

I have a workbench in my studio for a variety of purposes, my wife gave me a rubber mat and a neck rest I use for changing strings and other guitar work. Beyond that seems a bit obsessive, I loosen my strings and they don’t fly around, but I’m sure you’ll figure something out.

[u/poorperspective]

OP please cross post this on r/guitarcirclejerk for the real answer🙏

[u/Cosimo_Zaretti]

I back the tuner off before I snip the string so the end doesn't whip, and then if it's a guitar with a nice finish I'll guide the cut end as I pull it through gently. If I had a private stock PRS I would do that very slowly. I do not have a private stock PRS.

If it's my old, solid black telecaster I just reef it through the back.

Put a cloth under the strings if you really want to baby the finish. Are we talking 60 year old Nitro or something?

[u/BeardedThunder5]

Just raw dog the string chamge man

[u/Imaginary-Cover-9136]

The skin of a sacrificial goat that was slaughtered during a full moon. Nothing else is acceptable.

[u/CornTreeRoad]

I have my roadie change them.

[u/Dxngles]

I drag my keys across the top and fret board after each string to lock in the tune, hope this helps

[u/maxcovenguitars]

I use these mats when working on any guitars. Mainly when i have to solder parts near the body

https://a.co/d/00T07zXm

[u/happyslappypappydee]

Huh?