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If strings are difficult to play or do not play correctly:
Replacing guitar strings can remedy many problems involving poor sound. All strings can be changed at
once or strings can be changed individually. To change a guitar string, the old string should be completely
removed before attaching the new string. After the new string is attached, the guitar will need to be
re-tuned.
Removing Old Strings:
• To remove a guitar string, first, find the tuning machine and tuning peg that the string is attached to.
Loosen the string by winding the tuning peg until the string has no tension.
• Continue to wind the string loose until the string can be pulled loose from the top. The strings can be
pulled out via the bridge at the bottom of the guitar.
• If you do not wish to use the old string again, you can cut the string near the middle of the strings via
wire cutters. If you choose to do this, be careful and hold the string securely next to the cut; otherwise,
the string may pop up and can potentially harm you.
Installing New Strings:
• Attach strings to the bridge of your guitar. Locate the proper string to replace your old string. Then, from
the end of the string that does NOT have a ball at the end, feed the string through the bridge via the
open hole. The string should be pulled through until the ball is secure at the bottom of the bridge.
• Secure the string to the headstock end of your guitar via the tuning machine. To do so, make sure the
eye/hole of the tuning machine is parallel to the neck/headstock of the guitar. Feed the string through
the eye of the tuning machine, and pull the string fairly taut. The string should have a bit of slack (about
1-2 inches).
• Secure the string to the tuning machine by winding the part of the string that has come out through the
tuning machine back underneath the part of the string that is running between the bridge and tuning
machine. Then, pull the string back up and over the string running through the tuning machine (see
diagram). The string should now be secure.
GUITAR STRING MAINTENANCE
• Begin to tune the string, winding the tuning peg until the desired sound is produced. After hearing the
desired tune, pull the string lightly. The string will go slightly out of tune. Readjust the tuning peg until
receiving the desired tune again. Repeat the process a few more times. This will ensure that your string
will stay in tune while playing.
• You may cut off the excess string, but it is important to leave some excess still attached (about
¼
-1 inch)
in case the guitar string needs to be restrung again. Remember, it is easy to cut more off later, but
impossible to add string back.
CHANGING STRINGS
