How to restring a Gibson SG Electric Guitar

Simple steps on how to restring your Gibson SG.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar
• New set of strings
• Needle Nosed Pliers or Wire cutter
• Tuner

1. 

   Unwind your tuning pegs to get rid of as much string tension as possible.

2. 

   After you've detuned the strings and made them ridiculously loose, take your needle nosed pliers or wire cutter and cut the strings near the headstock.

3. 

   Remove the string remains from the tuning pegs on your head.

4. 

   Remove the strings from the tail (See warning!!!)

5. 

   This is a good point to do any repairs, clean the fret board or polish your guitar. Maybe you'll want to increase or decrease the action on your guitar - see the picture on step 6 to raise or lower the strings, which in turn will increase or decrease the action on your guitar (and even affect the tone a little).

6. 

   Turn these "wheels" to raise or lower the tail/bridge. See picture. This step is not necessary, but if you want to change the action on your guitar, this is the time to do it.

7. 

   Start restringing your guitar. Don't tune it yet.

8. 

   A good way to do your low (thick) strings is to slide the string through the hole in the peg, the bend the string 90 degrees in the opposite direction, and begin turning the tuning peg to create tension on the string.

9. 

   Repeat step 8 for your high (thin) strings. You can ensure security of the string by running it through the peg twice. It's not necessary, but it can be helpful for beginners and people who use really light gauge strings.

10. 

    Now, you just need to tune your guitar and then take your pliers or wire cutter and trim the extra strings that are hanging off of your tuning pegs.

Tips & Warnings

• Strings vary for each person's preference, playing style, and brand. I personally like heavy strings like GHS Boomers, whereas some people like to play lighter gauge strings. Find the right feel and sound for you and your needs.
• Have several sets of strings on hand, you never know when one is going to break on you.
• With guitars like the SG, the tail piece is not "attached" to the guitar, so if you're not holding it correctly, the piece will fall off and you'll have to put it back on. It's extremely easy to put it back on, but you have to put it on the right way. Make sure th "u" shapes are pointing up towards the neck, and not away. This is the only way to get tension on the strings and allow your guitar to properly work.
• If you don't loosen tension on the strings when you cut them, you can do damage to your guitar and you can also get some nasty slashes on your arm or other parts of your body.

[GreenGardenChic]

on 5/12/2008 Nice and thorough.