If you are learning the guitar or any string instrument for that matter, the only thing that is certain is the fact that one of your strings will break. Sooner or later, day or night, you won’t know when but it will.
Restringing your guitar is a skill that you should know if you intend on being a serious player. Not only that, in order to maintain the sound quality of your guitar, it is recommended that you change your strings every three months.
Though it does depend upon the conditions that the guitar is kept in, how often do you play, but I digress in this article. Let me teach you how to string a guitar.
HOW TO STRING A GUITAR - STEP BY STEP PROCESS (ACOUSTIC GUITAR)
In order to restring an acoustic guitar, you need the following things and follow the given steps:
Things required:
Note: If you are not using an acoustic guitar, you can refer to these articles to learn how to restring an electric guitar or string an classical guitar easily.
STEP 1: how TO REMOVE OLD STRINGS
You need to remove the strings. In order to do so, start loosening the strings by turning the tuning key. Once the strings are loose enough, unwind and remove them from the tuning post. Now, cut them! This part is the most fun. Cut the things using a Wirecutter from above the soundhole. Otherwise, the bounce-back can hit you or, worse, your guitar.
STEP 2: REMOVE BRIDGE PINS
On the bridge of your guitar, you will sit these white pegs with black dots. Well, these are called bridge pins. They hold the strings in place from the bridge. If you have a string winder, look for a notch on it. Most string winders have a cut on them in order to safely remove the bridge pins. Once you have a secure grip on it, put STRAIGHT UP! If you pull at an angle, this will break the bridge pin.
STEP 3: REMOVE THE OLD STRINGS
Using the above steps, remove all the strings. Strings have two sides, a sharp side and a ball side. If you are only changing a single string, then move on to the next step.
STEP 4: CLEANING YOUR GUITAR (RECOMMENDED BUT OPTIONAL)
While the guitar has no strings, this is a great opportunity to clean your fret-board. Fret-boards can get very dirty over the course of time, and cleaning them with strings on isn’t the easiest thing. Get yourself a clean cloth and fret-board cleaner. Clean the bridge, the neck, the fret-board. It’s cleaning time.
STEP 5: ORGANIZE THE NEW STRINGS IN ORDER
If you have been a guitarist for a while, it is pretty easy to identify which string is which. If not, or if you are a beginner, thankfully, it is usually written on the packaging. Each string comes in its own little wrapping upon which a number is written. That number indicates you guessed it, which string it is. 6th is the thickest, the low E, and 1st is the thinnest, the high E.
Pick out either of these or whichever string you want to attach first. You can do it randomly, but it’s always better to be organized. I personally start with the Low E, the 6th string, so that is what I am going to take as an example.
STEP 6: REPLACE THE BRIDGE PINS
Take the ball side of the low E, 6th string, and hold it against the bridge pin to create a tiny bend in the string. This helps the ball-end of the string sit comfortably on the bridge plate located inside the guitar.
Place the ball-end into the hole dedicated to the 6th string. After doing so, stick the bridge pin inside. It should require a little bit of force, but if it requires too much force, just pull out the bridge pin and try again. Do not try to hulk it.
STEP 7: REPLACE THE NEW STRINGS
Pull the string enough, so it reaches the next tuning post. This will be enough for winding and will offer stable tuning. While maintaining some tension, take the excess string and wind it anti-clockwise. Keeping wrapping it around the tuning post. The newer wraps should be below the previous ones.
Whilst the string is being pulled towards the bridge, start tightening. You can let go when there is a bit of tension.
STEP 7: FINAL STEP
All you need to do now is get the string in tune and cut any excessive wires for the sake of a cleaner look. Repeat this process for all the strings, and you are set!
CONCLUSION
It takes much less effort to restring your guitar than you may think. It looks intimating only in the beginning, so do develop this habit. I hope this article helped you out; happy playing!
Gibson is a blogger and reviewer, whose passion is helping people with all the aspects of music through the blog he provides. Also, he is an artist and loves to create his own tunes by purchasing good quality musical tools. With his own experience, he has provided a great list of tools for you in this blog. Seeking the best quality musical tools? Read this blog and end your music thirst!