Changing Guitar Strings Correctly

Changing Guitar Strings Correctly

There are many different types of guitars available, but they all have a few things in common. Regardless of the type of guitar, strings will get old and strings will break. Learning the skill of changing guitar strings correctly is a very important lesson to learn and master. It is helpful to be know and understand the anatomy of a guitar when learning to change the guitar strings correctly. The "headstock" is a general term which describes the part of the guitar attached to the slimmer neck of the instrument. On the headstock are tuners which are used to adjust the pitch of each of the strings on the guitar. The headstock them meets the neck of the guitar and the neck of the guitar is attached to the body of the instrument.

The strings of the guitar run from the tuning pegs, over the nut, down the neck, over the body, over the sound hole, and are anchored at a piece of hardware attached to the body of the guitar called the bridge. It is also important to be able to identify whenever guitar strings need changed. If the strings are rusty, discolored, if one is missing, or if it's simply been a few months since new stings, it's time to change the strings. Changing guitar strings correctly to give the guitar new strings will help to make the guitar sound brighter and it will also be easier to play.

When changing guitar strings correctly there are a few tools that will help to make the job easier. Gather wire snips, pliers, a cloth to wipe down the guitar, guitar polish, and a string winder. The first step in changing a guitar string is to loosen the old string. This is done by turning the tuner, once completely slackened, uncoil it from the tuning peg. Then on the other end of the string, remove it from the bridge by removing the bridge pin. At this point, the old string can be discarded. This is a great time to wipe down the guitar or even use some polish.

The next part of changing guitar strings correctly is to put on the new string. Uncoil the new string from the package, slide the ball end of the string a couple inches into the hole on the bridge and replace the bridge pin. As the bridge pin is being replace, lightly pull on the string until the ball slips into place. This may take a few tries. Next, pull the string up towards the headstock of the guitar. Slide the string through the tuning peg. At this point, the string needs tightened, to slowly bring it into tune.