How to Remove the Guitar Strings From the Tuning Posts

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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It's important to correctly remove the string from the tuning posts on the head stock of a guitar. If you do it incorrectly, you could damage the guitar and even puncture your finger with the string. With both of these methods, you can remove guitar strings from the tuning posts on an acoustic or electric guitar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

With Needle-Nose Pliers

Step 1

Lay your guitar on a table or another flat surface in front of you.
Step 2

Use needle-nose pliers to hold onto the string a little below the tuning post.
Step 3

Unwind the string from the tuning post gently with the needle-nose pliers to loosen it, being careful not to pull too hard on the tuning post.
Step 4

Pull the string out of the tuning post gently.

By Hand

Step 1

Lay your guitar on a table or other flat surface in front of you.
Step 2

Pinch the string with your pointer finger and thumb, about an inch below the tuning post.
Step 3

Untwist the string gently to loosen it.
Step 4

Grab hold of the string up against the tuning post once it's loose.
Step 5

Gently pull the string free.

Tips & Warnings

After you remove your guitar strings, it's a good time to clean your guitar pieces and polish your instrument.
You can use a string winder to make the job easier; you can find one at any music store.
Be careful when removing the string. If you pull too hard the string will bounce back and could puncture your finger.