How to Change Taylor Guitar Strings

Guitar tuning keys

Taylor guitars came into existence in 1974 when Bob Taylor began making his instruments. Taylor makes acoustics and semi-electric guitars. Jewel, Bryan Adams and Dave Matthews are some of the artists who use Taylor guitars. Changing strings on a Taylor guitar is the same as changing strings on other guitars and can help keep your guitar in its optimal playing state.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar strings
• Wire cutters
• String winder (optional)

Instructions

1. Loosen the strings on your Taylor guitar. Taylor guitars have standard metal tuning heads. Turn each to the left to loosen the strings until you can remove them by pulling each string from the hole in the tuning gear mechanism. Go to the bottom of your guitar, at the bridge. For electric guitars, simply pull the string from the string hole. For acoustics, remove the plastic string holder from the bridge and lift the string out of the string hole. Wind old strings up to keep them from poking your fingers or tearing through trash bags.

2. Lay out your new strings. Light or medium gauge work best. Each string comes in individual wrappers inside a single wrapper. Each wrapper indicates which string is in the wrapper. Lay the strings out in the order you will replace them.

3. Remove the first string from its wrapper and place it in the string hole at the bottom of the guitar. Draw the string along the fretboard until it is taut, then place it in the appropriate tuning head. The thinnest string goes in the first tuning key mechanism on your right and the others go in order up the right side and down the left. Wrap the string two or three turns around the base of the tuning head to ensure it will stay secure, then give the tuning key two or three turns to tighten the string and secure it in place.

4. Place each string on the guitar following the same pattern described above. When all of the strings are on your guitar, start with the thinnest string and turn each tuning key three or four turns to further tighten the strings. Alternate when doing this, starting with the thinnest string, then the thickest, second thinnest, second thickest. This will help keep even tension on your guitar neck. Ensure that each string is in the appropriate slot on the guitar nut (located across the top of the guitar neck).

5. Take each string between your thumb and index finger and pull it up, away from the neck of the guitar. Pull the string until there is some tension on it. Do this four or five times. This stretches the strings before you tune them, breaking them in and helping to keep the guitar in tune when you tune it up.

6. Tune each string with a reference note or preferably a digital tuner. Alternate as you tune. Begin with the thinnest string and bring it slowly up to pitch, then move to the thickest string and bring it slowly up to pitch. Continue tuning with this alternating pattern until you have tuned your new strings.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase a string winder at a music store. It fits over the tuning keys of your guitar and helps you unwind your strings faster.

References

• Guitar Lesson World: Stringing and Tuning Your Guitar