How To Change Guitar Strings | Changing Classical Guitar Strings

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.

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.

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