How to Change Acoustic Guitar Strings

Epiphone DR200S (from Epiphone.com)

Justin Gaspar
Engl 202C
5 APR 2011
Introduction

Anyone who has played an acoustic guitar knows that strings do not last forever. Due to grease
on fingers, moisture in the air, and other factors, guitar strings will begin to lose their sound
quality. When this happens, it is necessary to replace the strings. This document will lay out the
steps needed to change the six strings on an acoustic guitar.

Although each guitar is slightly different, the steps in this document listed should readily apply
to any six-stringed acoustic guitar. If done correctly, the entire task can be carried out in no
more than twenty minutes.

Basic Parts of a Guitar

There are few basic parts of a guitar that need to be identified before restringing a guitar. These
parts are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Parts of an Acoustic Guitar

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Tools Needed

In addition to a new set of strings, a few basic tools are required to change the strings on a
guitar. The following tools can be purchased from any music or hardware store (see Figure 2 for
pictures):

 Pitch Pipe
 Needle-Nose Pliers

Figure 2 – Tools Required, from left to right: Pitch Pipe, Pliers

(from MusiciansFriend.com)

Safety Hazards

To prevent injury, the following safety hazards need to be realized and kept in mind throughout
the stringing process:

 Strings on a guitar are under high tension. If over tightened, these strings can snap,
injuring the face or eye. For this reason, only use each string for the note it was
intended to be used for.
 The ends of strings are extremely sharp. Use caution in handling these at all times.
 Pliers can very easily pinch hands or fingers. Keep all body parts clear of the jaws of the
pliers at all times.
 All of the above safety hazards can be mitigated greatly by working in a well-lit area.

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 1. Loosening the String

At this point, there should be six strings that need to be changed on your acoustic guitar. Begin
with the low E string, which is the thickest of the strings. If is often identified as String 6 (See
Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Labeled Guitar Strings (from cyberfret.com)

1.1 To start, follow the string you want to change to the headstock, where it is wrapped
around a tuner post. Attached to the tuner post will be the corresponding tuner, which controls
the tension of the string.

1.2 The string now needs to be loosened. However, the direction that the tuner needs to be
turned is variable. To determine the correct direction, pluck the string with finger. While the
string is still ringing, turn the tuner in one direction. If the pitch goes down, you are turning in
the correction direction. If the pitch goes up, you are turning in the wrong direction – stop
turning the tuner.

1.4 When you identify the correct direction, continue to turn the tuner until the string is
loose enough to pull completely pull off of the tuner post.

 When you completely detach the string from the tuner post, proceed to the next step.

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 2. Removing the String from the Saddle

The string should be attached only to the saddle of the guitar. The steps that follow instruct you
to use pliers to detach the string from the saddle. However, if you are able to complete the
steps without the use of pliers, feel free to do so.

2.1 With the jaws of the pliers, firmly grasp the pin that the string is attached to (see Figure
4). Pull up so that the pin comes completely out of the saddle. Place the pin in a secure place;
you will need it later.

Figure 4 – Pliers grasping pin (from www.ultimate-guitar.com)

2.2 Pull the old string out and discard it.

 When the string is completely detached from the guitar and discarded, proceed to the
next step.

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 3. Attaching the New String to the Saddle

You will now need to retrieve the new string to put on the guitar. Each string should be
individually packed. Each package will clearly label which string is which.

3.1 Place the ball end of the string approximately 1-2 inches into the empty hole on the
saddle (see Figure 5).

Figure 5 – Ball end of string (from www.frets.com)

3.2 Retrieve the pin and place it firmly in the hole. The pin will pinch the string; this is the
intended result.

3.3 With the bridge pin inserted, press on the pin and gently pull the string out so that there
is no slack in the string (See Figure 6). Do not pull so hard that the string or pin comes out of
the saddle.

Figure 6 – Pulling Slack out of String (from NWMusicPlus.com)

 After the pin is firmly in the slot, proceed to the next step.

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 4. Attaching the New String to the Tuner Post

With the string attached to the saddle, the opposite end can now be attached to the tuner post.

4.1 Begin by turning the tuner, until the hole on the tuning peg points directly down the neck
of the guitar (see Figure 7).

4.2 Thread the end of the string through the hole, leaving approximately 4 inches of slack on
the neck of the guitar.

4.3 Bend the open end of the string at a 90 degree angle, right at the peg (See Figure 7).

Figure 7 – String bent at right angle, with peg pointing directly down neck
(from wn.com)

4.4 Begin to turn the tuning peg counterclockwise. While tightening, pull on the opposite end
so that there is a constant tension on the string.

 When there is no play left in the string, proceed to the next step.

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 5. Tuning the String

At this point, the string should be tightened so there is little to no slack on the line. You now
need to tighten the string to the appropriate tension.

5.1 Begin by picking up the tuning pipe. Find the hole which corresponds to the new string.
For example, if you are changing the 6th string (the E-string), find the hole that is labeled E-6.

5.2 Blow into the proper hole on the pitch pipe.

5.3 Pluck the new string.

5.4 If the string’s note is lower than the pitch pipe’s note, turn the tuner counterclockwise. If
the string’s note is higher than the pitch pipe’s note, turn the tuner clockwise.

5.5 Repeat steps 5.2 through 5.4 until the string’s pitch perfectly matches the pitch pipe.

 When the string’s pitch matches the pitch pipe’s, proceed to the next step.

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 6. Finishing Touches

The string is now completely attached and tuned to the correct pitch. Now, repeat steps 1
through 5 for the remaining 5 strings. There is no right or wrong order to do this, as long as all
six strings get changed.

If desired, you can use the inside of the pliers to clip the end of each string. This way, there are
not loose ends hanging all over the neck of the guitar (see Figure 8).

Figure 8 – Clipping Guitar String Ends (from guitar.lovetoknow.com)

After stringing and tuning all six strings, you will have a guitar that will sound like new again.