Tying a Leader to a String

Leaders are additional, usually thinner, lengths of gut tied at one end of a string. These are useful when you have a string with a large diameter and don’t want to enlarge the hole in the peg or tailpiece to accommodate it. This series of instructions shows the process of attaching a leader to a string for tuning at the peg, but the same method can be used for connecting a string to a tailpiece if needed.

	Step 1 Install one end of the string in the tailpiece as usual. Stretch the string out to the nut.
	Step 2 Mark the string about 1/4" (6.5mm) from the edge of the nut.
	Step 3 Cut the string at that point.
	Step 4 Burn the end of the string so that there is a small mushroom shape at the end.
	Step 5 Use another string with a smaller diameter to make the leader. Usually something in the range of .90mm – 1.06mm is a good choice, but just make sure it is small enough to fit through the hole in the peg.
	Step 6 Continue to pull the end around toward the fingers holding the string.
	Step 7 Put the end through the loop you just made.
	Step 8 Holding the loop, pull the end so that the knot tightens on the leader.
	Step 9 Cut the end to about 1/4" (6.5mm).
	Step 10 Burn the end down to the knot.
	Step 11 You now have a slip-knot that you can put over the end of the playing string.
	Step 12 Pull the slip-knot tight and snug against the mushroomed end of the playing string.
	Step 13 Cut the leader to a length of about 3" (7.5cm), or long enough to wrap around the peg a few times.
	Step 14 Put the leader through the peg in your usual way. After a little stretching, you will be ready to play.