In case you are a music lover and possess a guitar, then it is very necessary for you to know how to change a guitar string. Though it is not too difficult and does not require much technical knowledge, there is a particular way of doing it. In case you are an amateur and you have never re stringed a guitar before then you must be quite careful, as a slight mistake can make the strings to break or detune the guitar. For your convenience and help, given below are some easy steps, following which you can comfortably string a guitar.
How to Change a Guitar String
- Start removing the old strings. You can either do this one by one, or all at once.
- Secure the 6th string to the bridge or tail piece of your guitar. This usually depends on the brand and type of guitar, but it is usually straightforward.
- Align the tuning peg with the nut slot and pull the string through the hole of the tuning peg. Make sure there is about 5cm gap between the string and the fret board.
- This will enable 3 windings on the tuning peg. Avoid excessive winding, as the strings might slip and get detune.
- Bend the string towards right and put it underneath itself, where it goes in the hole.
- Give the string a sharp bend upward and turn the tuner in clockwise direction. Tune the string to the right pitch with a guitar tuner. Make sure the windings go down from the top.
- Now stretch the string by pulling it upwards. This increases the stability as new strings go out of tune easily.
- After stretching it properly, tune it again and stretch once again. Repeat this until the string doesn't detune anymore.
- Cut the extra string with a wire cutter or a toenail clipper. Don't cut the strings too short or they will become loose. Don't leave it too long either, as the string ends are quite sharp and you may hurt yourself.
- Repeat the process for the other 5 strings.
