How to String a Nylon Guitar
Stringing a nylon string guitar is a bit more involved than steel string guitars, but is a skill that you can use and appreciate throughout your guitar-playing career. Nylon string guitars (also called "classical" or "gut-string" guitars) originally used natural "gut" strings, which required tying at the bridge and tuners for attachment. Although gut strings have largely been replaced by nylon, the attachment method is still the same. Several string manufacturers offer "ball-end" nylon strings that eliminate bridge tying, but tuner tying is still required. It is recommended to change one string at a time to prevent tension loss that may affect the guitar neck.
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Instructions
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1
Loosen the 6th (low E or thickest) string by placing the string peg winder on the corresponding tuning key and turning it clockwise. Turn the key until the string windings are visibly loose and the string is slack enough to be pulled an inch or two away from the fretboard. The fretboard is the front of the guitar neck where the frets are located.
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2
Untie the string knot at the bridge with your fingers and pull the string out. The knot is a in the shape of a figure-8, and will come apart easily.
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3
Unwrap the windings around the tuning key post, and untie the knot to remove the string. Knots at the tuning post will vary because there are several different methods of knotting. Coil the string and discard, or you may save it for use as a spare.
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4
Remove the new low E (6th) string from the envelope and unwind it. The envelope will be printed with the name and number of the string. If you are saving the old string, place it in the envelope for future identification.
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5
Thread the string through the vacated string hole at the front of the bridge, pushing through until 2 inches protrudes from the back of the bridge. This is called the "loose end" of the string.
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6
Tie the string to the bridge by bringing the loose end of the string back toward the front of the bridge, and looping it under the string at the bridge insertion point. Pull the loose end toward the back again, weaving up and over the string twice to form a double figure-8 knot. Pull the long end of the string to tighten the knot.
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7
Attach the string to the tuning key post by threading it through the hole. Pull the string through, leaving enough slack so the string can be pulled away from the fretboard about 1/2 inch.
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8
Secure the string to the post by looping the free end of the string around the post once and threading it through the hole again. Pull tightly to seat the string in place. This method is quicker and easier than other knotting methods, and will hold the string in place just as well.
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9
Tighten the string by inserting the peg winder on the tuning key and turning clockwise until the string is no longer slack.
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10
Tune the string to pitch by picking the string and blowing into the pitch pipe hole marked E6 (or similar designation). Turn the tuning key until the pitch of the string matches that of the pitch pipe. An electronic tuner that has an audible note feature may be substituted for the pitch pipe.
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11
Apply gentle pressure to the string as you tune by pulling it up slightly from the fretboard. This will help stabilize the string and help it stay in tune. With nylon strings, it is not uncommon to stretch the string 5 or 6 times before tuning becomes stable.
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12
Repeat Steps 1 through 11 for the remaining 5th (A), 4th (D), 3rd (G), 2nd (B) and 1st (high E) strings.
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13
Trim the excess string from the bridge and tuning key by cutting with wire cutters.
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Tips & Warnings
Using a pitch pipe or audible note tuner is preferred over using the "meter" on the electronic tuner. Tuners have difficulty "reading" strings that are considerably off-pitch, and may give false readings. After the guitar is tuned with the audible device, you may use the meter on an electronic tuner to fine-tune the strings.
It may take several days for nylon strings to settle and achieve stable tuning. This is normal and should be anticipated, so it's not a good idea to re-string right before a performance or recording session.
Wash and dry your hands before playing, and wipe each string along its entire length with a clean, dry cloth to remove skin oils, moisture and dirt. This will prolong string life and maintain tone.
As a visual aid, you can make a sketch or take digital photos of the original string attachments at the bridge and tuning key before you begin.
Always keep the guitar in-tune while not in use to maintain constant tension on the neck to minimize warping or bowing.
Nylon stringed guitars are constructed for optimal playing volume of low-tension nylon strings. Installing steel strings will cause severe guitar damage because of the increased tension.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit guitar image by Hubert from Fotolia.com
