How To Change Your Guitar Strings

How To Change Your Guitar Strings

This is a "how to" guide. If you're not sure how often you need to do this, check out our other article on how often to change your guitar strings.

Note: in the very unlikely event that you somehow injure yourself or property, Hub Guitar assumes no responsibility. This advice is ex gratia, without liability.

Step 1: Gather The Tools

• A new set of steel strings (typically 12-53 or 11-52 gauge)
• Wire cutters
• A string winder, such as Ernie Ball Power Peg[?]
• (For cleaning) a polishing cloth such as Planet Waves UNTREATED Cloth[?]
• (For cleaning) some Steel Wool, 0000 Grade[?]
• (For cleaning) fretboard cleaner such as Dunlop 65 Cleaner[?]
• (Finishing touch) Dunlop Lemon Oil[?]

Step 2: Loosen the Old Strings

You may have heard that it is best not to take off all strings at once. Take off all of the strings, the theory goes, and your guitar neck will get all messed up because now there's nothing to counteract the tension from the truss rod

Malarkey! Take 'em off. How else are you going to clean the crap off of your fretboard?

To take a string off, pluck the string and then follow the string to the tuning machine on the headstock of the guitar. Wind that tuning machine clockwise to loosen it. You should hear the string dropping in pitch as you unwind it.

Step 3: Clean the Fretboard

Now that all the strings are off, you can clean the fretboard. This is optional but recommended. The fretboard gets dirty over time and cleaning it will make your guitar feel and play better.

Use fretboard cleaner and 0000 steel wool to clean the fretboard. The steel wool will remove dirt and grime without damaging the wood. After cleaning, apply some lemon oil to condition the wood.

Step 4: Install the New Strings

Insert the ball end of each string into the appropriate hole in the bridge, then secure it with the bridge pin. Make sure the string sits in the groove of the pin and the pin is pushed in firmly.

Step 5: Wind the Strings

Thread each string through its corresponding tuning post hole. Leave enough slack for 2-3 winds around the post–about 1.5 inches for the thicker strings and 2 inches for the thinner strings.

Pro Tip: To prevent string slippage, make the first wind go over the loose end of the string, and subsequent winds go under it. This creates a "lock" that helps keep the string in tune.

Step 6: Tune to Pitch

The standard tuning for steel-string guitar from thickest to thinnest string is: E A D G B E. If you're using a clip-on tuner like the Snark SN-8 Super Tight[?], it will show you which note you're closest to and whether you need to tune up or down.

Warning: Be careful not to tune the strings too high - this can cause them to break. If you're unsure which direction to tune, it's better to tune down first and then up to pitch.

Step 7: Stretch the Strings

New steel strings need a good stretch to help them settle in. Gently pull up on each string (about 1/2 inch) along its length, then tune it back to pitch. Repeat this process a few times for each string.

Don't pull too hard! You just want to give the strings a gentle stretch. Pulling too hard can damage the strings or even break them.

Step 8: Final Tuning

Once you've stretched all the strings, do a final tuning pass. The strings should now hold their tune much better. Remember to check the tuning again after playing for a while, as new strings will continue to stretch and settle for the first few hours of play.

Step 9: Trim the Excess String

Using wire cutters, trim the excess string from each tuning post, leaving about 1/4 inch beyond the post. Be careful not to leave sharp ends that could scratch you while playing.

Pro Tip: When trimming the strings, hold the loose end with one hand while cutting to prevent it from flying off. These ends can be sharp and dangerous if they spring away!

You're Done!

Congratulations! You've successfully changed your guitar strings. Your guitar should now sound brighter and feel better to play. Remember to wipe down the strings after playing to help them last longer, and consider using a string cleaner like GHS Fast Fret[?] to keep them in good condition.

Steel strings typically need changing every 2-3 months with regular play, or sooner if they start to sound dull or show signs of corrosion.

If you're interested in learning more about guitar maintenance, check out our other articles on setting up your guitar and cleaning your guitar.