How to Replace the Strings on a Violin

Violins are lovely stringed instruments to play, and as with all stringed instruments, they need string maintenance. Whether you've ripped a string and need to replace just that one, or want to upgrade all your strings at once, there is a proper way to do it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Violin
• Replacement string or strings
• Tuner

1. If you have just one string to replace, loosen the peg for that string until you can unwind the string. Pull the string from the peg hole and detach it from the tailpiece. If the string broke and part is still attached to the peg, you may need a tweezers to pull the remaining string from the peg. Never try to pull the peg out of the hole with any string attached; the wrappings can damage the violin by altering the size of the peg hole or scratch the varnish on the peg box area.

2. Attached the ball end of the string to the tailpiece by threading the ball through the hole in the tailpiece. If the string has a small plastic sleeve, slide that over the string at the place where it crosses the bridge. Then loosen the peg at the peg box, and string the new string through the peg hole, from the front to the back. Wind a few wraps counterclockwise away from the peg hole, capturing the end of the string, and then wrap the remainder counterclockwise towards the peg hole. This keeps the string in alignment with the notch on the fingerboard. Gently wind the string, pushing the peg in to keep tension on the string; keep the string in the fingerboard notch and over the correct position on the bridge, while not tightening it past the pitch it should be.

3. When you have the string tightened close to its pitch, push the peg in securely and then use your fine tuner to get it perfect. If you find you can't turn the fine tuner any more...it's either all the way turned down or all the way to the top, turn it to the halfway position, use the peg to tune the string again and then go back to the fine tuner.

4. If you want to replace all the strings on your violin, remove one string at a time starting with the G string. Remove it as outlined above, replace the string, tighten it to keep it in place, but do not tune it. Remove the other strings, working from the D string to the E string.

5. Once you have all the strings replaced on the violin, you can start to tune them. Traditionally tuning starts with the A string. Turn the peg for that string until you are almost in tune with your tuner. It's easier for most people to hear a slightly flat A and adjust up with the fine tuner. Tune the D string next...you can use the tuner, or you can tune the D by playing the A and D at the same time...the interval between the two is a "Perfect 5th." It's the opening of Twinkle, Twinkle, Star. With practice, you can tune the string by ear and not need the tuner.

6. Tune the G next with the tuner and then the E. When you've tuned the E string, go back and check the tuning on the other strings. Each time you adjust one string, pressure and tensions change over the entire instrument and can change the other string's tuning. Start with the A, D, and G, and then back to E. All should be good after that.

Tips & Warnings

• New strings take time to stretch and will need a few days of tuning to hold pitch. Be patient with the new string or strings. Tune them each time you play for the first few days.
• Always replace a single string with the same type of strings still on the violin, whether its core is composite, gut or steel; if you use a different type, you will notice a difference in how that string sounds in relation to the rest and you may not be pleased with that sound. If you can, stick with the same manufacturer as well.
• If your pegs slip, you can apply peg compound, called peg dope, to help them stick...in a pinch, you can apply some rosin to help them stay in place.
• If your pegs stick, pull them out a bit and rub a graphite pencil to add some lubrication. Just don't overdo it.
• Enjoy your new strings!
• NEVER remove all the strings from a violin at the same time. You risk having the sound post inside the violin loosen or falling over. The tension of the strings from the pegs, over the bridge, and transferred to the body of the violin is the only thing that keeps the sound post in place. Replacing the sound post is a professional repair job.
• Removing all the strings at the same time can also make the bridge fall or move out of place. Bridges are placed in specific locations on the violin in relation to the sound post, and they are not attached with any adhesive to the body; moving them alters the ability of the strings to transfer their vibrations through the violin.