How to Tie Classical Guitar Strings

Changing strings on a classical guitar is quite different from electric and acoustic guitars. One of the key steps in changing classical guitar strings is tying a proper knot over the bridge of the guitar. Tying a good knot can help keep your strings in tune quicker and keep your intonation in proper shape longer.

Instructions

1. Pull one end of the string through the empty string slot in the bridge of the guitar. Pull the string through from the fretboard side to the tail side of the guitar. Make sure about 5 inches of string is pulled through the bridge.

2. Grab the end of the string that has been pulled through the bridge and pull it back over the bridge, towards the fretboard. Make and X shape with the other end of the string, keeping the short end of the string on the right side of the longer end of the string. This will create a "loop" over the bridge of the guitar.

3. Pull the short end of the string through the loop you just created. Make sure you pull the string through the left-side of the X shape you just created.

4. Pull the short end of string through the loop at least twice more. Every guitarist prefers a different number of wraps, but three is probably the smallest number of times you can wrap the string in order to keep it from slipping out of place.

5. Grab the short end of the string, once you have wrapped it through the loop at least three times, with one hand and the long end of the string with the other. Pull of both ends to tighten the knot down on the bridge of the guitar.

6. Cut off any access string that is on the non-fretboard side of the bridge. This will help prevent scratches that strings can sometimes cause on the body of your guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• When taking off old strings for the first time, take notice of how the string comes off as this may be a good visual cue as to how to put the new string back on the guitar.

Resources

• Buying classical guitar strings