by Wynn Eisman

Created on: December 14, 2008

As a guitarist one of the first things you will learn, along with other maintenance, is how to replace your strings.

Depending on whether you have an electric, acoustic or nylon string there will be slight variations. We'll start with electric guitars.

The first thing you need to know is that you have a "Truss Rod" in the neck of your guitar. This is to counter-act the tension of the strings and springs to prevent the neck from bowing. This is the main reason for replacing one string at a time; keeping the tension on the neck and truss rod.

Before you replace your strings you will need to know what gauge you feel most comfortable with. These generally start from .009-.042 being the lightest and go up to around .10-.50.

Once you have your strings, you will need a medium sized Phillips head screw driver to remove the back cover. Next, unwind the first string (Bottom E[closest]) and remove it from the machine head. Some machine heads will have a locking system for your strings; simply unscrew the plate at the back of the machine head. Pull the string through the bridge of your guitar. Open your new packet of strings and remove the corresponding string using the colour guide on the back of your packet. Thread it back through the bridge and loop through the machine head, leaving enough slack for the strings to wind around the tuning head two or three times (lock string if applicable). Start winding your string onto the machine head, making sure they sit in all locators. Repeat until all strings are completed.

If you have changed string gauge you may need to adjust your spring tension, which is located in the same panel you have already removed. The aim is for your bridge to sit parallel with your guitar. Above the springs in the back are two screws on a plate. Tighten or loosen depending on the change. You may also need to add or remove one spring depending on how drastic the gauge change.

Now to acoustic guitars. On most of these you will find six pegs in the bridge. You will need a lever for these. If you do not have one, you can carefully use pliers. Once you have removed the first string from the machine head (same as above) you will remove the peg and replace the string. Nice and easy.

Finally, some nylon string or "classical" guitars simply thread through the bridge and either tie on or lock with a string bead like the others.

So good luck and keep playing.

Learn more about this author, Wynn Eisman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.