How to Change Classical Acoustic Guitar Strings

Classical guitar strings are typically made of nylon. How often you should change your strings will depend on how often you play and how the strings react to your skin. Generally, classical guitar strings over three months old, with heavy playing, will probably need to be changed.

Things You'll Need

• String winder
• Tweezers
• Guitar strings

Instructions

1. Remove the old strings from your guitar. You can use a string winder, available at any music store for a couple of bucks, to accomplish this. The string winder fits over the tuning key and speeds up the process of loosening and tightening the strings by allowing you to turn the tuning peg quickly. Once you have loosened the strings sufficiently, you may have to use tweezers to push one end through the hole in the tuning key to allow you to grip it with your fingers and remove it completely.

2. Loosen the strings at the bridge and slip them through the bridge hole. Again, you might use the tweezers to get a grip on the string and pull it loose.

3. Dispose of your old strings and remove the new strings from the package as you need them. Each string will be individually wrapped. Read the front of the individual package before you put it on the guitar just to ensure you have the correct string.

4. Replace the strings in any order you like, but start at the bridge to put the string on. Slide the tip of the new string through the string hole in the bridge, pull it through about one and a half inches, then wrap it around itself two times to create a loop. Pull the end of the string through the loop and tighten it so that the knot portion rests against the bottom of the bridge.

5. Slip the top end of the string through the hole in the tuning key and wind it by hand two times to get it started, then use the string winder to tighten it the rest of the way. Do not bring the strings up to pitch until you have wound each one three or four times around the tuning key with the string winder.

6. Gradually bring each string up to pitch once you have replaced all six strings. Use an electronic tuner to tune your guitar. As you tune, pull the individual strings away from the fretboard and tug them gently. This will help stretch them so they will stay in tune.

References

• http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/frary/changing_strings.htm