How To Change Guitar Strings
Why change guitar strings?
Strings wear out. They lose their tone, become hard to keep in tune, lose their sustain, and break.
How quickly this occurs varies, based on how you care for your guitar, the environments your instrument is exposed to, the quality of the strings, and how you use them. For more, see the Guitar Maintenance page. Even with the best quality strings, using the best care, in the best environment, your strings will eventually need to be replaced.
Best of all, new strings don't cost that much and changing guitar strings is not hard to do.
Most guitars come with a manual that describes how to change strings. If your did not, you may find instructions on the manufacturer's web site. You may also find instructions on the web-sites of string manufacturers and re-sellers. I've listed a few very good explanations below.
If you're unsure of how to change guitar strings, or have questions after looking at the instructions and reading this page, consider having someone show you the first time. Most instructors will change guitar strings for you during a lesson, and many music stores will change them for you for a small fee, just ask if you can watch.
Tips
Here are a few tips I've picked up that make it easier to change guitar strings.
- Take part of the packaging from the new strings and write down the date. Stuff that in your gig bag. Now you have a record of the type of strings on your guitar and when you last changed them.
- As you replace the strings take a minute to wipe off any dust or dirt on the face of the guitar normally covered by the strings, including the bridge, and fretboard.
- A string winder and a pair of wire cutters make changing guitar strings much easier. Read about them on the Guitar Accessories page.
How To Change Acoustic Guitar Strings
The best written explanation I've found on how to change acoustic strings is on the Taylor Guitar Tech Sheets web-page. Scroll down until you find the Tech Sheet called "How To Change Steel Strings". It's a 714K PDF file with photo clear instructions for changing the strings of a steel string acoustic guitar. You can adapt the instructions for most other acoustics. Taylor has a number of other helpful guitar maintenance articles on their web-site. Take a look!
Elixir has a nice write-up on how to change guitar strings on an acoustic, with text and photos. In addition, I recommend long-lasting coated strings. If you'd like to try a set, check to see if Select Sounds LLC has any available.
If you'd prefer to see an acoustic strung, the folks at OVRDRVN.Com have put together a nice instruction video.
The device used to support the guitar is known as a headstand. Want one? Get one from Select Sounds LLC for about $10.
How To Change Electric Guitar Strings
Take a look at the instructions provided by Elixir. They cover electric slotted and standard headstocks as well as how to work with locking tuners.
You may also want to review this video from OVRDRVN.com before you change guitar strings on your electric. Keep a few things in mind with this video:
- The old strings have already been removed. To do that he probably loosened them up, then cut them with wire-cutters. The top half would be unwrapped from the tuners and discarded. The lower halves would be pushed through the body below the bridge, and pulled out the back.
- This guitar shown in the video is set up for left-handed use, so things will look a bit backwards to most of us.
- The device used to support the guitar is known as a headstand. Want one? Get one from Select Sounds LLC for about $10.
How To Change Classical Guitar Strings
I have little experience with classical guitars. Even though I started on one myself I played it like a steel string acoustic, rather than a classical. Some of you may start out the same way, or you may be a true lover of the instrument.
There aren't many good descriptions of changing classical strings on the web. Most are text only, and don't include a clear description of how to tie them off at the bridge. However, after a bit of searching I found a very clear write up (with photos) at The Classical Guitarist.
A Couple Cautions
The neck of your guitar is designed to hold back the tension of your strings. If you remove all the strings, there is nothing to balance out the force that pulls back on the neck. This can damage your guitar... and you'll require professional guitar maintenance to fix it.
Opinions vary, so use common sense and check your owner's manual. Some say to never remove all the strings at the same time, others say it's OK to remove all strings at the same time... as long as you don't leave them off for more than a few minutes.
When I change guitar strings, I loosen each string, then cut and remove all of them. They come off easily and I can easily clean the front of the guitar. I then immediately start restringing. I haven't experienced any problems with this guitar maintenance approach. But... again... check the documentation that comes with your instrument and follow the warnings and advice given there.