How To Restring A Guitar

Why Should You Restring Your Guitar?

Your new guitar may play well. But after some time the strings may not produce the same tune. The strings may get slackened. Dirt or rust may wear them out. If you play your guitar frequently every day, then you should change your strings within two weeks. As a new guitarist, you should change the strings every month. Otherwise, the strings may break.

Know The Strings

Usually, 4 bass strings and 2 treble strings (sometimes 3 bass strings and 3 treble strings) are there on a guitar. These strings have different types of thicknesses. The bass strings have an outer layer whereas the treble strings are made of nickel-plated steel (single layer). Now, The thinnest strings are capable of producing the highest pitch and the thickest strings can produce the lowest pitch. The layers of these strings can catch oil and dirt. So, they may not vibrate properly, Hence, you need to change those strings.

Things That You Need

* A Guitar
* A New Pack of Strings
* String Winder
* String Cutter
* Flat Surface
* A Tuner
* Lemon Oil
* Soft Clothes

How To Restring A Guitar: A Step By Step Process

Step One – Loose The Old Strings

The first step is to remove the old strings. You need a string winder to slacken the strings. Try to loosen the high pitch strings. You may not know – how to loose the strings. In that case, you can turn the tuner and you may notice the intensity of the pitch. If the pitches are higher, then they are not loosening.

After loosening all six strings, you need to snip them. You can use the string cutter and you can cut the strings just above the sound hole. As it’s a hollow area, your hardware may not damage the polished area on your guitar. You should cut the strings one by one.

Step Two – Removing The Strings

With the help of your string winder, you have to remove the bridge pins. Bridge pins stay at the bridge of your guitar and they hold the pins. The notch of a string winder should pull a bridge pin straight. You should not pull it using any angle.

Then, remove the ball ends and put the bridge pins where they belong (the hole).

After that, you can use lemon oil to clean your guitar. Soft clothes should be used when cleaning the wooden surface of your guitar.

Step Three – Identify The New Strings and Assemble Them

It’s time to identify your guitar strings. A new pack of strings may tell you the order you should follow when installing the strings. However, you need to identify the right string.

So, try to read the numbers that are on the packaging. A high number signifies a thick string. If you are new, then you should not buy expensive strings. Because for experimentation purposes, you need to buy the cheapest guitar strings.

However, try to unpack the packaging with great caution, as uncoiled strings may stab your face suddenly. Hence, open the packaging keeping it away from your face.

Step Four – Stringing Your Guitar

To string your guitar, you should start with your E string (low). Now, you have to create a mild bend. The string should have a 45-degree angle. As a result, the ball end would be in a good position. Now, take the bridge pin and push the ball end. The bridge on your guitar must have grooves. The tail of the string should sit in that groove perfectly.

You should repeat the same process with the other five strings. If you think that the string is not sitting properly, then you should pull the tail and test – whether the string’s end is in contact with the pin’s bottom.

Step Five – Threading Your Strings

After completing the fourth step, the half of the job is done. Now, the tuner posts in your guitar are waiting and you have to thread your strings through them.

This step is about – how to string your guitar at the machine head

Pick a string and put it through the hole of a machine head. Now, the string should be over the saddle and it should go right through the hole. However, for perfect winding you need to pull the string to reach the next machine head. The excess string measurement will help you when winding the string.

The string that runs down the neck should not be outside of the post. Keep mild tension by pressing the string and start winding. You should wind anti-clockwise. As you wind, you would notice that the new wraps are hitting the bottom whereas the old wraps are going upwards. After two or three winds, you have to clip the excess string.

You should use a string winder and string cutter to complete everything smoothly. Don’t overlap the winding process and you should not tune your strings until you finish the winding process.

Step Six – Tune The Strings and Stretch Them

To tune your guitar strings, you can use a clip-on guitar tuner. Tuning the strings may not be an easy task. But, you should keep the tension equal. So, bring the strings and move them back and forth. After that, you should stretch the strings. On the 12th fret, you may place your finger and stretch the strings. If you do this, your guitar may not drop its tune easily.

Step Seven – Play Your Guitar

Now, it’s time to play your guitar. if you have done everything right, then your guitar would produce sweet and crisp music. If you are not satisfied, then you should tune your guitar properly.

Some Pro Tips

1) Choose the right strings for your guitar. Follow the colors on the string packages and string your guitar accordingly.

2) Try to wear protective glass when stringing your guitar. You should also handle the sharp strings carefully.

3) Keep your guitar on a flat and high surface. So that you can have total control over it.

4) The machine head holes must point to the neck.

5) You should restring your guitar slowly. Without any experience, you should use the right process and tools to restring your guitar.

The dead strings often sound quite weird. So, you would know – when to change your guitar strings. A broken string is a clear indication that you need to change your guitar strings. So, keep an eye on your guitar strings and keep on playing great music.