How to change your guitar strings?

Par LaSalleDeMusique
How to change your guitar strings?

Changing the strings on your guitar may be uncomfortable if you’ve never done it before, but it’s very simple and should be part of your maintenance routine. Before you do anything, first take the time to make some personal observations such as:

  • 1. Which way should you turn the tuning keys to tighten or loosen the strings?
  • 2. How do the strings are they aligned between the nut and the bridge?
  • 3. What is the heaviest rope?

Taking mental notes will likely save you some frustration and make your task easier.

Below are some helpful steps to follow when changing your strings. Once you have changed your guitar strings Some times your confidence should start to grow and you will no longer need to refer to these steps. I like to remove all guitar strings in order to thoroughly clean my guitar, but you can remove and replace them one at a time if you prefer.

Guitar care and maintenance tools:

– Needle nose pliers (for cutting ends of string)
– Rope winder
– Soft cotton fabric
– Guitar cleaning wax (do not use wax, oil or furniture polish)

REMOVE THE STRINGS

Steel string acoustic guitar

  • 1. Using the rope winder, begin to slowly loosen the rope(s) until they are completely relaxed.
  • 2. With the needle-nose pliers, carefully grab the capstan string (the part it wraps around) and pull it through the hole until it is free.
  • 3. Picking up the string winder, use the cutout on the end to grab the pin at the bridge. Gently pull the pin until it comes out of the hole.
  • 4. Continue this process until all strings are removed.
  • 5. Carefully clean the surface of the guitar.

Classic nylon string guitar

Follow steps one and two above. When you get to step three, take your needle nose pliers and carefully loosen the figure eight knot at the bridge. Pull the string to release it.

Electric guitar

Follow the same procedure as described for a steel-string acoustic guitar. However, if you have an electric guitar with a movable bridge, you can take it to your local guitar store. local music and ask them to show you how do it safely. If the bridge is moved from its correct position, you will not be able to tune your guitar after stringing it.

RE-STRING YOUR GUITAR

Steel string acoustic guitar

  • 1. Bend the ball end of the string slightly and place it inside the hole under the bridge. Some steel string guitars do not have tuning pegs. When it does, simply pull the string through the hole.
  • 2. Align the rope with any grooves on the pin. Insert the pin into the hole making sure it is secure.
  • 3. Take the other end and insert it into the hole in the capstan.
  • 4. Pull the string, leaving some play between the capstan and the bridge.
  • 5. Bend the rope where it passes through the capstan to hold it in place.
  • 6. Paying attention to your eyes, start turning the key with your left hand. Once you get it started, it may be easier to use the string winder. (For safety reasons, you can cut off any excess string. I usually wait until they are all ready to do this).
  • 7. While winding, apply tension to the rope with your right hand to help it continue learning. Make sure you are winding in the right direction! On the low ropes you will go up counterclockwise (away from you). On the high strings you will go in the opposite direction.
  • 8. Continue to wind each rope until all the slack is taken up. Don’t worry about tuning yet.
  • 9. Cut off the entire length of excess twine.

Classic nylon string guitar

  • 1. Pass the string through the top of the hole just below the bridge.
  • 2. Pull about 3 inches through.
  • 3. Lifting the string over the tie rod, pass it under the original entry point.
  • 4. Lower yourself back onto the stirrup and wrap the end of the string around you in a figure-eight pattern.
  • 5. Insert the other end of the string into the hole of the capstan.
  • 6. Wrap the twine around the back and then under itself to secure it in place.
  • 7. As described above, begin turning the wrench with the left hand while maintaining some tension with the other hand until all the slack is taken up. With a classical guitar, you play clockwise on the low strings and the high strings.
  • 8. Keep the rope as straight as possible as it continues from the capstan through the nut and down onto the neck.
  • 9. You shouldn’t have excess rope length, but if you do, cut it off.

Electric guitar

Follow the same procedure as described for the steel-string acoustic guitar.

When to change the strings of your guitar?

When you are a beginner, and I imagine that if you come and read my guide to learn how to change your ropes, is that you started playing guitar not long ago, we don’t really know when to change them.

Obviously, I’m not talking about when they break, because there it seems obvious, that a broken string must be changed.. Or if you buy a second-hand guitar and it is missing strings, that’s it. is not easy or even less good for start playing guitar, and they will therefore have to be changed.

I’m talking here about wear and tear, when the ropes soften, you are forced to re-tension them every day, etc., or when they are damaged (visible to the eye), and any other case like this!

Change your strings yourself or go see a professional?

If you are not sure of yourself, let it be when change the strings of your guitar or how to do it, I suggest you go see a professional. It doesn’t cost that much, and honestly it saves you time.

But know that the satisfaction is not the same, and that it is always classier to say, I changed my strings because of strumming, they broke. Or, during an incredible solo, but they gave up..

I hope you found this information useful. Remember, establishing a good guitar maintenance schedule will ensure many years of enjoyment and musical enjoyment!

Evaluez cet article !

Originally posted 2019-03-10 10:35:33 .