DIY String Replacement on an Acoustic Guitar

Pegs hold the guitar's strings into the tailpiece.

The strings of an acoustic guitar have a certain lifespan that depends on how often you use the guitar, how hard you play, and other environmental factors. When your guitar strings break, lose projection or start slipping out of tune more frequently, it is time for a change. Although you can replace a single string on an acoustic guitar, it is preferable to change all six strings at once. Otherwise, the new string will sound different to the old strings.

Things You'll Need

• Oil
• Guitar polish
• Pliers
• Guitar tuner
• Nail clippers

Instructions

1. Remove the string that needs replacing. This string might be broken, or just worn out. Some guitarists remove all the strings on a guitar even when only replacing a single string. Others prefer to leave the other strings on while one is replaced.

2. Polish and clean the guitar, and oil your guitar's fretboard. Lemon oil is good for the fretboard -- some guitarists choose walnut, olive or linseed oil instead. While one or more strings are off the guitar, you have access to these parts of the instrument for cleaning.

3. Using pliers, remove the peg that secures the string you are replacing. The mechanism may be different on certain guitars, but a peg is most common on acoustic instruments. Attach the new string to the tailpiece of the guitar, also known as the bridge. Secure the new string in place by reattaching the peg.

4. At the other end of the guitar neck, push the new guitar string through the small hole in the tuning peg. There are six tuning pegs on an acoustic guitar, one for each string. Feed the string through until there is roughly 2 inches of slack between the fretboard and the new string. Wind the tuning peg two or three times, to tighten the string.

5. Bend the string that is sticking out of the tuning peg around and under itself, so from above the string forms the shape of a lower-case "q." Start turning the tuner clockwise. Use a guitar tuner to measure when the string reaches the correct pitch. Stop turning the tuner when the string reaches pitch. Cut the protruding string beyond the tuning peg with a pair of nail clippers or a wire cutter.

Tips & Warnings

• Your strings will last longer if you wash your hands before you play, and wipe down the strings when you finish playing.

References

• Muzique.com: Fretboard Oil
• Start-Playing-Guitar.com: How To Change Guitar Strings