How to String a Guitar

This stringing technique applies to the standard folk guitar, which is the most commonly used acoustic guitar the world over. However, the principles of good stringing are the same for any guitar anywhere.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitar Strings
• Guitars
• Electronic Tuner For Guitars

1. Secure the string to the bridge of the guitar.
2. Put the string through the posthole mounted on the head of the guitar.
3. Bend the string sharply to the right.
4. Slightly turn the tuning key counterclockwise and lock the string to the right from where you started.
5. Turn the tuning key counterclockwise to wrap the string around the post: three turns on the wrapped (low E, A, and D) strings; twice as many turns on the unwrapped (G, B, high E) strings.
6. Stretch the string to increase stability.
7. Tighten the string with the tuning key and tune it up to approximate pitch.
8. Repeat procedure for all six strings of the guitar.
9. Start tuning your guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• You may start stringing your guitar with any of the six strings it takes (E-A-D-G-B-E). Just make sure you can match all your strings to their corresponding pitches after you are done.
• Sloppy stringing will get your guitar untuned quickly and repeatedly, which can be quite annoying, so take the time to string your guitar properly. Avoid excess winding, since it may cause the strings to twist.