How to Cut Guitar Strings

When changing the strings on your guitar, it is a good idea to change them all at once. One string breaking could be a sign that all of your strings are getting old and changing only one string will make an uneven sound. Cutting the strings will make it easier to remove them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire cutters
• Needle nose pliers

1. Lay the guitar on a flat surface in front of you or on your lap. Position the guitar so that the body is closest to you.

2. Pinch the first string closest to you at the base of the neck with your pointer and thumb. Lift it up high enough that you can get your wire cutters underneath the string between the pickups without scratching the guitar.

3. Open the wire cutters and slide them onto the first string between the pickups.

4. Snip the string with your wire cutters. Make sure to hold onto the string as you cut it to steady it.

5. Do the same with the next 5 strings on the guitar.

6. Remove the shorter strings by pulling out the bridge pins one at a time. Pull out the old string when you have lifted the bridge pin.

7. Hold onto the cut string just below the tuning posts on the neck of the guitar with your needle nose pliers.

8. Loosen the string from the tuning posts by turning the post with the pliers to unwind it. Remove the string from the post by pulling it out gently with the needle nose pliers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have needle nose pliers, you can remove the string by hand. Just be careful to do so gently to avoid the string popping back and sticking into the skin of your finger.
• You can purchase a string winder at a music store or online to make it easier to remove the string from the tuning posts.
• Now is a good time to clean and polish your guitar after removing the strings and before restringing your guitar.