This diagram might help you to visualize how to wrap the string around the peg to keep it from slipping. Also, I like to give the string a couple of inches of slack to wind up once I have the string locked, so there is less stress on the area where the string is kinked.

I have never heard of having the string run under the proximal tuning posts on a dulcimer like yours, because as you mentioned, we don't want the strings rubbing on the other tuners, or any of the separate strings to be touching each other. I would recommend you not run any strings under any pegs. 

updated by @nate: 05/29/26 02:33:29PM

Helpful video. I’d watched the first bit and didn’t understand how the S was made (snugging one string then the other, then snipping). It’s a little clearer on subsequent strings. Certainly answers the order in which to do them!

Maybe this video from a real pro will help give you some tips?:

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I try to not normally remove all the strings at once, but this is where it ended up at hour 3!

photo of scrollhead

Hello all!

I literally spent 4 hours last night trying to replace strings on my Warren May hourglass scroll head (2024). I have restrung before but wasn’t sure I was going it “right” (I’d just cut the string 1/2 inches beyond post, stick it in hole and wind away.) I looked at several videos but the lighting or camera angle were such that it was hard to really so down into the depths of the scroll head. The tips I picked up included:

Each string travels beneath the more proximal posts until it gets to its post. 

start with 2nd string as it has the furthest to travel under the 3 other posts.

String is wound so that it pulls over the top of the post

My issues: it seems like the strings going under the proximal posts would rub on them.

the hole in the tuner seems to be at the opposite end of where you’d want it 

It also seems impossible that strings don’t rub against each other with scrollhead. (yes I know paddle heads are easier)

lots of reference to not cutting string right away but anchoring it with some kind of S anchor and then barely having to wind?

Right now my poor dulcimer is naked and sad while I wait for more .014 ball ends to arrive