How To Change Guitar Strings | Changing Classical Guitar Strings
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How to Change Guitar Strings on Your Classical Guitar, a Step by Step Photo Essay.
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What's so hard about changing guitar strings? Nothing! There are plenty of benefits to doing it yourself. You can save money, you don't have to wait for someone else to do it, and you can be playing in minutes after a string breaks. Changing nylon guitar strings are a little different than steel guitar strings, but you've already mastered the art of playing classical guitar, now learn how to take care of your guitar by changing strings on a regular basis. It's easy to do, and you don't really need any special skills or tools to change guitar strings. So let me show you how to change classical guitar strings.
Easy Step by Step Instructions for Changing Classical Guitar Strings
- Guitar Strings On Amazon
- Changing Guitar Strings: The Bridge
- You'll Need Your Guitar Strings to be in Tune.
- Changing Guitar Strings: The Tuners
- More Guitar Stuff On eBay
- Finish Tuning Your Guitar.
- More Accessories for Your Guitar.
- Learn How to Write Songs, Play Guitar, and Recording Tips
- Have a Better Technique on Changing Guitar Strings?
Guitar Strings On Amazon
I like to use D'Addario strings, I've used them for years when I change strings on my classical guitar, my steel string, my electric guitars and my bass guitar. I've also used the Agustine classical guitar strings, but I find the the D'Addario's to be just as good, and the best all around value.
Changing Guitar Strings: The Bridge
If you are doing a full restring loosen the strings clip them off with wire clippers or heavy duty scissors. Here I'll be replacing the high E string which I've already removed.
Take the string, thread it through the front of the bridge, out the back and bring it around itself, like this:
Loop around again for a total of two loops (one loop for a wound string). You should have what looks like a little noose. The string will be fairly stiff and hold itself:
Then take the long end and pull it tight:
Make sure the excess is past the end of the bridge. Like this:
Leave a little excess until you're all done, then cut it with wire snips. If not it will buzz. If doing a complete restring, you can catch the excess in the loop of the next string.
Next, insert the other end of the string into the post a the head of the guitar, and tie an overhand knot like so:
As the string stretches and pulls tight, the knot will pull tighter and the string won't slip out of the tuning post. That way you won't have to wind it multiple times before it pulls tight without slipping.
Take the loose end of the string and put a little tension in it, as shown in the picture. Enough to pull it up an inch or so, any more and you'll have to wind and wind before it gets tight.
Take the string, thread it through the front of the bridge, out the back and bring it around itself, like this:
Loop around again for a total of two loops (one loop for a wound string). You should have what looks like a little noose. The string will be fairly stiff and hold itself:
Then take the long end and pull it tight:
Make sure the excess is past the end of the bridge. Like this:
Leave a little excess until you're all done, then cut it with wire snips. If not it will buzz. If doing a complete restring, you can catch the excess in the loop of the next string.
Next, insert the other end of the string into the post a the head of the guitar, and tie an overhand knot like so:
As the string stretches and pulls tight, the knot will pull tighter and the string won't slip out of the tuning post. That way you won't have to wind it multiple times before it pulls tight without slipping.
Take the loose end of the string and put a little tension in it, as shown in the picture. Enough to pull it up an inch or so, any more and you'll have to wind and wind before it gets tight.
You'll Need Your Guitar Strings to be in Tune.
After You've Learned to Change Your Guitar Strings, Tune Them Up.
Changing Guitar Strings: The Tuners
Next, insert the other end of the string into the post a the head of the guitar, and tie an overhand knot like so:
As the string stretches and pulls tight, the knot will pull tighter and the string won't slip out of the tuning post. That way you won't have to wind it multiple times before it pulls tight without slipping.
Take the loose end of the string and put a little tension in it, as shown in the picture. Enough to pull it up an inch or so, any more and you'll have to wind and wind before it gets tight.
As the string stretches and pulls tight, the knot will pull tighter and the string won't slip out of the tuning post. That way you won't have to wind it multiple times before it pulls tight without slipping.
Take the loose end of the string and put a little tension in it, as shown in the picture. Enough to pull it up an inch or so, any more and you'll have to wind and wind before it gets tight.
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All things guitar related. Strings, accessories, instruments, and more. I get a lot of my stuff on eBay, it's a good place to find quality used gear.
Finish Tuning Your Guitar.
Tighten the strings and take up all the slack. You should have a couple of loops around the post.
Some people like to wind the first and sixth string so that it wraps outwards, towards the tuning peg. The hole in the peg is off center so I wound it to the inside.
Tune your string up to pitch, slip your finger underneath and pull it up about an inch or so and slide it up and down the string, to stretch it a little (don't be quite so vigorous with the wound strings).
Tune it up again, it will probably stretch a little more so tune it as needed. When it's stable, cut off the excess (carefully) at the tuner and bridge if needed, then find some songs to Play.
If you'd like to see more guitar, drum, bass, or song writing tips, check out my blog, Project D's How to Play Guitar
Some people like to wind the first and sixth string so that it wraps outwards, towards the tuning peg. The hole in the peg is off center so I wound it to the inside.
Tune your string up to pitch, slip your finger underneath and pull it up about an inch or so and slide it up and down the string, to stretch it a little (don't be quite so vigorous with the wound strings).
Tune it up again, it will probably stretch a little more so tune it as needed. When it's stable, cut off the excess (carefully) at the tuner and bridge if needed, then find some songs to Play.
If you'd like to see more guitar, drum, bass, or song writing tips, check out my blog, Project D's How to Play Guitar
More Accessories for Your Guitar.
Protect Your Guitar, Hang it Safely, or Record Yourself.
by Project-D
Project-D
Hi, I'm Project-D, a one man band and music teacher from Florida. I love teaching guitar and writing songs. I blog about songwriting, guitar, and re... more »
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