Replacing Guitar Strings

Actually replacing is not as difficult as one first imagined. But it is important that you do use the right techniques otherwise it could result in your guitar becoming out of tune very quickly. In this article we take, you through the steps that you will need to follow to ensure that you replace the strings on your guitar correctly when you need to.

Step 1 – You first need to remove the old set of strings that are on your guitar currently. You have a choice of either removing them all at once or removing them and then replacing them one at a time. However, by removing them all at once could result in tension being loss in the neck of your guitar, which may result in it warping.

Step 2 – As you remove the old strings, you now need to spend some time polishing the guitar as well as oiling the fret board. Doing it at this time especially if you have removed all the strings at once means that there will be none getting in your way as you clean it. A good quality guitar polish is sufficient for cleaning the main body of your guitar but for the fret board use either linseed, walnut or olive oil.

Step 3 – After cleaning and polishing your guitar, you can now start to put on the new strings. It is best that you start with the sixth string that you secure to the bridge or tailpiece of your guitar. They way in which this is done will actually depend upon the kind of guitar that you own, but in most cases, this is pretty straightforward and easy to do. However, with acoustic guitars a peg will need to be removed in order to change the strings on it and use a good pair of pliers when removing them.

Norman (Bass & Six String) Guitar Nut File System

US $60.00 (2 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:12:28 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Norman Guitar Nut File System & String Slot Template

US $49.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:14:36 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE PEAVEY T40 T-40 T 40 4 STRING BASS GUITAR

US $255.00 (9 Bids) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:15:20 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Norman Guitar Nut File System & String Slot Template

US $49.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:15:33 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Norman Guitar Nut File System & String Slot Template

US $49.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:16:00 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Step 4 – It is important that when changing the strings on your acoustic guitar you align the tuning peg with the nut slot. Once this has been done you can then place the new string through the hole in the peg. If you are able to make sure that you keep, around 2 inches (5cm) gap between the string and the fret board. This then provides you with enough string to make 2 or 3 windings on the tuning peg to tune it correctly. Also do not wide the string too much or else this can cause it to slip.

Step 5 – When you have threaded the string through you should then bend it underneath itself so that it is pointing upwards. Once the string is in the correct position, you can now start to the tuning peg in order to tune the string until it has the right pitch. All the tuning carried out on our guitar when using the pegs should be done in a clockwise direction. To make sure that the string is at the right pitch using a guitar tuner or tuning fork to see.

Step 6 – Once you have completed tuning the string and you found that the right pitch has been obtained you need to remove any leftover string from the guitar. This can easily be done using either a pair of wire cutters or toenail clippers.

You then need to repeat the above steps we have provided to you in order to change the rest of the strings on your acoustic guitar. Ideally start with string six and then work your way through them to string one. Remember replacing guitar strings one at a time is less likely to cause unwanted damage or warping the guitar that you play.