How to Replace Guitar Strings

If you lose a guitar string, it will not only take your guitar out of commission, but will you set you back about a few bucks. You can replace guitar stings yourself by following these steps. These steps mainly apply for an acoustic guitar, but electric guitars will be similar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar
• Guitar strings
• Wire Cutter
• Guitar Tuner

1. 
    
   Photo by: Craig Jewell

   Buy new strings. This will depend on your playing style, cost, and preference. Thicker strings will be more sturdy, but also harder to play. Name brands are just a preference, Ernie Ball and Elixir are common brands of guitar strings.

2. 
    
   Remove from Tuning Peg

   Remove old strings. Remove one string at a time, some recommend the sixth (thickest) string first. Start by loosening the string by turning the tuning key until it is slack. Then, once it is loose, remove the string from the tuning peg at the head of the guitar.

3. 
    
   Remove guitar string

   Remove string from bridge. Next, loosen the pin on the bridge (use pliers gently, if necessary). Remove guitar string from the bridge. Discard the old string.

4. 
    
   Secure the Bridge Pin

   Place string in bridge. To string the guitar, place the ball side of the new string into the pin on the bridge. Then replace the pin.

5. 
    
   End of string is under wrapped part of string

   Pull through tuning pin. Pull the string tight and push the guitar string through the tuning pin. Wrap it around the pin. Gently turn the tuning peg to tighten the string while carefully applying pressure to the string. Use a string winder here, if you have one.

6. Repeat these steps with all of the strings.

7. Tune the guitar. After replacing strings, tune the guitar to the right pitch using the guitar tuner.

8. 
    
   Cut excess string

   Cut the excess wire. Use wire cutters to cut the excess string once it it tight and the guitar has been tuned.

9. 
    

   Enjoy your new strings and tuned guitar and get playing!

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the whole set of strings, one at a time, to get consistent sound.
• Clean and polish the guitar while the strings are off and out of the way.
• Be careful of sharp edges on the strings after you cut the ends.

[scottmitzi]

on 12/19/2008 Thanks, I play a 12 string and this is always a chore! I have to be careful to put the lower strings turning north and the higher strings turning south, so I tune them correctly later. Thanks

[TheGlamSquad]

on 12/19/2008 Thanks for sharing! I will email this to my cousin. I am sure it is about time that she change her strings. 5*****

[bar10dr98]

on 12/17/2008 Very detailed info, thanks!

[Butterfli]

on 12/17/2008 Very good article and your pictures really make it easy to understand! Thanks! 5*

[AlishaV]

on 12/17/2008 I've seen several people not know how to do this properly and have bad sound because of it. Great article!