Hi Noah,

The strings shouldn't be even touching inside the peg box. Perhaps you strung them incorrectly?

When I install the strings (I am using a 4 string model as example with a photo attachment), I do the two outer strings first; the tuner closest to the nut goes on first and the second closest would go next. Then the third and lastly the 4th string gets installed.

 

If you know which goes where, it's pretty evident what the channel is

1.  Put on the Bass drone, go to nearest tuner far side

2.  Put on the Middle Drone; go over the bass tuner shaft if necessary to the farthest tuner on the far side

3.  Put on the outer Melody string, go to nearest tuner near side

4.  Put on the inner Melody string; go over the nearest tuner shaft if necessary to the farthest tuner on the near side