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Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 3 About This Instruction Set....................................................................................................................... 3 Why and when should I Change my Strings? .......................................................................................... 3 Restring Methods: All-at-Once vs. One-at-a-Time .................................................................................. 4 Materials Needed ................................................................................................................................... 4 Selecting Acoustic Guitar Strings ............................................................................................................ 5 Parts of the Acoustic Guitar .................................................................................................................... 5 Part 1: Removing One String ....................................................................................................................... 6 1 of 7: Prepare your workplace and materials ........................................................................................ 6 2 of 7: Slacken the string ......................................................................................................................... 6 3 of 7: Remove the bridge pin ................................................................................................................. 7 4 of 7: Cut the string ............................................................................................................................... 7 5 of 7: Uncoil the string ........................................................................................................................... 7 6 of 7: Remove the string ........................................................................................................................ 7 7 of 7: Clean the fingerboard (recommended) ....................................................................................... 8 Part 2: Replacing One String ....................................................................................................................... 9 1 of 5: Insert a new string into the bridge ............................................................................................... 9 2 of 5: Prepare the string for tightening: pull and crimp ......................................................................... 9 3 of 5: Slide the string through the tuning peg ..................................................................................... 10 4 of 5: Begin to tighten the string into tune while applying tension throughout the string .................. 10 5 of 5: Wrap the string over and under ................................................................................................. 10 Part 3: Preparing Your New Strings for Use .............................................................................................. 11 1 of 4: Set the strings by tugging on them ............................................................................................ 11 2 of 4: Clip off the protruding ends of the strings ................................................................................. 11 3 of 4: Dispose of the old string scraps ................................................................................................. 12 4 of 4: Finalize the tuning using an electronic tuner ............................................................................. 12

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About This Instruction Set

This manual will provide information and instructions on how to change the strings of a standard acoustic or electro-acoustic guitar with the standard E, A, D, G, B, E string setup. There are three main parts to changing a string: Part 1: Removing one string Part 2: Replacing one string Part 3: Preparing your strings for use

Parts 1 and 2 contain instructions on how to remove and replace each individual string. Read the section below on 'Restring Methods' in order to decide how you'd like to restring your guitar.

Why and when should I Change my Strings?

As a guitar player, regardless of skill level, you will need to change your strings after some time in order to maintain the sound quality of your guitar. There are multiple reasons for this. Dirt and oil from your hands will usually build up on the strings, causing them to rust and tarnish. Sometimes, a string may snap while playing. In addition, over time, guitar strings will naturally stretch, compromising the structural and tonal integrity of the string. How often you'll be changing your strings is directly related to the frequency and gentleness with which you play your guitar, as well as the conditions in which you play. Those who play often or play hard "hard" (aggressive picking and fingering) will need to change their strings more frequently, along with those who smoke or play in smoky venues. Finally, those who sweat more or don't regularly wash their hands before playing will need to change strings more frequently.
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There are a few ways to tell when you'll need to replace your strings. For example, you'll know if you are having a tougher time getting the guitar in tune, or if your strings are starting to go flat. Visually, you can tell it's time to change when your strings are rusted or discolored. Often, experienced players are able to feel the roughness and corrosion of old strings that need replacement. As a rule of thumb, you should plan to change you strings at least once per season (winter, spring, summer, autumn).

Restring Methods: All-at-Once vs. One-at-a-Time

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the restringing of a guitar, and two accompanying methods. There are those who choose to remove all of the strings at once and then replace all of the strings at the same time. The rationale for this method is that it gives the user the opportunity to thoroughly clean the fingerboard and neck. The other school of thought is that removing all of the strings at the same time releases too much of the stress on the neck from the strings, and this could deform the guitar. If there is deformation, it is not noticeably bad for the guitar. Both methods will get the guitar strings replaced, and both methods provide some opportunity to clean the fingerboard.

Materials Needed
Wire cutters, small* (required) A set of 6 replacement guitar strings* (acoustic - standard tuning) (required) Needle nose pliers A string winder (sometimes built into the wire cutter): Soft Cloth and Lemon Oil Electronic Tuner:
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*The small wire cutters and the guitar strings are the only essential materials for accomplishing the job. The rest make completing the job easier but are not necessary to have.

Selecting Acoustic Guitar Strings

When selecting the right strings, make sure to consult the sales associate when purchasing in a store to check their recommendation. Typically, larger (heavier) strings have a fuller and deeper sound than smaller (lighter) strings. Be sure to purchase a full set of standard tuning strings.

Parts of the Acoustic Guitar

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1 of 7: Prepare your workplace and materials

You'll need a flat surface to work on and a good light source from at least one angle. Consider bringing over a second light source if your room isn't very illuminated. Try to pick a surface (standing or sitting) in which you won't be bending your neck too far down, because the process can take a while and you don't want to strain your neck. At first you may be clumsy when first handling tools or manipulating the guitar and strings. In this case, it's not a terrible idea to position the guitar on a bed, supporting the head stock with a pillow, and to stand next to the bed working. This way you minimize the damage you could do when lifting, bumping or dropping the guitar. Set the guitar down on the surface with the strings facing up. Set your tools down on the table in between you and the guitar so that you don't have to lift the tools up and over the guitar or past it.

2 of 7: Slacken the string

Begin by loosening the string which you are interested in removing. With one hand, begin to pluck the string near the sound hole while twisting its tuning peg. You know when you are loosening the string when the pitch drops. Continue to loosen the string as far as you can, until the string no longer sounds when plucked.
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3 of 7: Remove the bridge pin

Once the string has been completely slackened, remove the bridge pin from the bridge. Occasionally, the pin may be stuck. In this case, use the pliers to pull them out more easily. Be careful when applying pressure to the guitar body as leverage for the pliers.

4 of 7: Cut the string

Once you've removed the bridge pin, go ahead and cut the string somewhere near the sound hole using the small wire cutters. Hold onto the string with one hand and cut with the other. Be careful to avoid the cut tips of the strings as they are sharp.

5 of 7: Uncoil the string

Uncoil the string from the tuning peg at the head stock of the guitar. You'll have to twist in the opposite direction from which it was fed and twisted when installed. The idea is to relieve the string from wrapping the tuning peg altogether.

6 of 7: Remove the string

With no more wraps and the bridge pin removed, remove the half of the string closest to the head stock by pulling the string from outside of the tuning peg (Away from the soundboard) and feeding it through the peg. Remove the other half of the string by pulling the string near the bridge and lifting it out.

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7 of 7: Clean the fingerboard (recommended)

This step is optional. You should take the opportunity to treat and clean the fingerboard using a soft cloth and some lemon oil. Follow the application instructions listed on the container of the cleaning material.

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1 of 5: Insert a new string into the bridge

Insert the new string into the bridge by placing the ballend of the string into the hole of the bridge. Finish the job by placing the peg tightly back into the hole over the string. The peg is indented, so be sure to align the peg such that the string falls along the indent. Be sure to insert the correct string into the correct hole in the bridge:

2 of 5: Prepare the string for tightening: pull and crimp

With the ball-end of the string in the bridge, unwind the rest of the string and stretch it out across the length of the guitar and fingerboard. Pull the string PAST its tuning peg (NOT through) on the side of the peg closest to the longitudinal midline of the head stock and neck. Using pliers (or fingers), crimp the wire one inch past the tuning peg, 90 degrees distally (perpendicular to the longitudinal midline):

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3 of 5: Slide the string through the tuning peg

Turn the tuning peg until the hole and the protruding (crimped) end of the string line up, and feed the string through the tuning peg hole using your fingers or the pliers.

4 of 5: Begin to tighten the string into tune while applying tension throughout the string
With the string in the hole, grab the string (without bending or crimping it) with your hand closest to the sound hole, and apply tension from the tuning peg while turning the tuning peg in the opposite directly of slackening the string in order to begin tightening it: The string winder assists to quicken the pace at which you wind the tuning peg during this step.

5 of 5: Wrap the string over and under

Depending on how much slack you gave in the string and which string you're working on, your string may lap over itself. Be sure to alternate the longer length of the string between wrapping over and under the protruding end:

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1 of 4: Set the strings by tugging on them

After you've removed and replaced all of the strings (either using the one-at-a-time or all-at-once method) it's time to "set" your strings. In the beginning, you'll find that the strings will slip out of tune quite a bit until they've fallen into the right tightness and expansion. Use the following procedure on each string to prepare them for playing. Begin by tugging on the string near the sound hole. Pull it gently about an inch or two above the hole, and give it a few tugs once elevated. Proceed to bring the string into tune with the assistance of an electronic tuner. Repeat the above process until the string no longer slips out of tune with tugging. The larger the string, the more you will have to "set" it. You may end up repeating this process anywhere from four to six times on the largest string and only once or twice with your smallest string.

2 of 4: Clip off the protruding ends of the strings

Using the wire cutters, clip off the protruding ends of the strings close to the tuning pegs, but only after you've "set" the string (step 1). Hold the protruding end with one hand and cut with the other. Be careful to avoid the cut tips of the strings as they are sharp.

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3 of 4: Dispose of the old string scraps

Find a use - donate them, make art out of them, add them to your collection - or throw them away.

4 of 4: Finalize the tuning using an electronic tuner

The electronic tuner indicates whether or not a string is flat or sharp from the actual pitch. Play one string at a time and adjust the string based on the reading. Consult the manual of your particular tuner in order to learn how to read it.

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Cover Page Tony Duckles, Acoustic Guitar Portrait Page 4 Planet Waves, Planet Waves Pro String Winder and Cutter Yamaha Corporation, YT250 tuner Page 5 Learn-Acoustic-Guitar.com, Parts of The Acoustic Guitar Page 6 Joost Nuitgen, Tuning Guitar Pages 7, 9, 10, 11 Dan Cross, About.com Guide, Changing Strings on an Acoustic Guitar

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