How to Wind the Guitar String to Lock It

The guitar is a fairly easy instrument to learn how to play as well as maintain. In order to keep your guitar sounding great, you need to know how to properly change and wind the strings. The process is simple and doing so ensures a clean sound and longer string life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Lay the guitar string-side up on a flat surface. Stand over the guitar with the neck on your left and the body on your right. This is your point of reference for the directions.
2. Turn the tuning keys so that the holes are parallel to the guitar neck. This makes it easier to feed the strings through the hole.
3. Feed the string through the hole in the tuning key and pull it tight.
4. Pull the end of the string up and around the top of the tuning key post. Make a clockwise motion, bringing the string back around towards you.
5. Bring the end under the section leading into the tuning key and loop it up and over itself. The end if the string should point directly in front of you.
6. Draw the string counterclockwise around the post of the tuning key. The end will now be pointing directly towards you.
7. Begin winding the tuning key counter clockwise. Create tension on the post of the tuning key by pulling the string tight. This ensures that the string will lock into itself.

Tips & Warnings

• As you wind each string, make sure it is sitting in the notch at the top of the neck.
• Be careful to not wind the tuning key too fast. Lighter gauge strings can snap easily.