Changing guitar strings is an essential skill for any guitarist or bassist. This guide covers the basic process for instruments with standard bridges. If you have a Floyd Rose-style locking tremolo, we’ll address that in a separate article.
Removing Old Strings
- Loosen all the tuning pegs to slacken the strings.
- Cut the strings around the 12th fret. This prevents the curled ends from snagging the bridge and saddles.
- Remove the string ends from the tuning pegs and pull the remaining string sections through the bridge.
Installing New Strings
Tune the guitar to pitch. Gently pull and bend the strings to help them stretch. Repeat this process until they hold their tuning.
Start with the high E-string. Insert the string through the bridge, run it up the neck over the nut, and thread it through the correct tuning peg.
Measure the correct slack. Pull the string tight, then pinch it at the nut and pull it back toward the bridge until the pinched section aligns with the first fret. This ensures an optimal amount of string wrap for tuning stability.
Secure the string at the tuning peg.
Wrap the string properly. As you wind:
The first wrap should go under the bent-up section of the string.
The subsequent wraps should go above it, wrapping cleanly and tightly down the peg 2 to 3 times.
Trim excess string using wire cutters.
