How to Clip Excess Guitar String

The last step of changing the strings on your guitar is clipping the excess guitar string on the headstock. Excess string may get in the way of your fretting hand as you play. If you don't want to clip the strings, you can coil them to achieve the same effect.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use the wire cutters or pliers to clip the excess guitar strings at a right angle to create a flat end. Clipping them at an angle will create sharp points on the ends of the strings and make removal difficult.

2. Trim the guitar strings about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch away from the machine heads. If you trim the ends too short, they may slip cause your guitar to fall out of tune.

3. Dispose of the excess string. The cut ends of the guitar strings may be sharp, even when clipped correctly.

4. Coil the ends of the guitar strings around a small object, like a pencil, if you don't want to clip them. Start at the part closest to the machine heads and work out.