Changing guitar strings is one of the most fundamental tasks you will ever perform on your instrument. Performing this task should be easy for any guitarist. The type of strings, the kind of bridge and nut, the neck profile, and even the scale length will all impact how easy or difficult it is to change your strings. Changing the strings on your guitar is easy if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Unstring Your Guitar
First, you will need to unstring your guitar. There are usually six strings on a guitar, but there are some with more. To remove a string, hold your guitar by the neck and pull upwards on the appropriate string as if you were turning it up. It will loosen enough to slide it out of its slot in the bridge saddle.
Step 2: Remove Old Strings from Bridge Saddle
Next, remove any remaining old strings from the bridge saddle. There will be two or three slots on each side of the saddle that holds your strings in place. The string should have been threaded through these slots when you strung up your guitar last time. Pull each one out individually with your fingers until they are all gone, and see bare wood beneath them.
Step 3: Install New Strings at Tuning Machines
Once all of your old strings are removed, it is time to install new ones in their place. Start by threading each string through its bridge saddle hole and then wind them around each tuning machine post until they reach their proper tuning position. Be sure not to overtighten or stretch these new strings because it will cause them to break prematurely.
Step 4: Re-Tune Your Guitar
Re-tune your guitar so that it sounds in tune again. It is a crucial step because you do not want to leave your guitar out of tune for too long, especially if you are playing live or recording. If you have a capo on your guitar, remove it before returning to avoid accidental changing of the pitch of the strings when removing or adding capos to your guitar.