What to do when a string snaps

A broken string stops the guitar from playing that note, and the broken end can scratch your hand or damage the fretboard if left in place. The fastest fix is to remove the broken string entirely, then install a new one of the same gauge. You do not need to replace all six strings at once — only the one that broke.

Most breaks happen at the bridge, the nut (the white piece at the headstock), or somewhere along the fretboard from wear or a sudden bend. Where it breaks does not change how you fix it: remove the old string and thread a new one through the same holes.

Key Takeaways

  • Loosen the tuning peg for the broken string all the way, then pull the slack string out of the bridge and headstock.
  • Buy a replacement string that matches the gauge of the one that broke — the package or your guitar's manual will list all six gauges.
  • Thread the new string through the bridge hole, pull it tight to the headstock, and wind it around the tuning peg three to four times before tuning up.
  • A new string will go flat quickly for the first day or two, so retune it every few minutes until it holds pitch.
  • Keep a spare string of each gauge in your case so you can replace a break without a trip to the store.

Remove the broken string

Turn the tuning peg for the broken string counterclockwise (or clockwise, depending on which side of the headstock it is on) until the string goes completely slack. You should be able to pull it by hand without resistance.

Once it is slack, pull the string out of the tuning peg hole at the headstock. Then go to the bridge — the piece at the opposite end of the guitar where the strings anchor — and pull the broken string out of the bridge hole. On an acoustic guitar, you may need to remove a bridge pin (a small plastic or wooden peg) first by prying it up gently with a flathead screwdriver or the edge of a coin.

Throw away the old string. Wipe the fretboard and bridge area with a dry cloth while the string is out — you will not get this access again until the next break.

Choose the right replacement string

Guitar strings are sold individually or in packs of six. A single replacement costs between $0.50 and $2.00 depending on the brand and material. Buy one string that matches the gauge (thickness) of the one you broke.

The gauge is usually printed on your guitar's manual or on the original string packaging. Standard gauges for a six-string guitar are .046, .036, .026, .017, .013, and .010 (measured in thousandths of an inch). If you do not have the manual, take a photo of your remaining strings and show it to a music store employee — they can match the gauge by sight.

Acoustic and electric strings are not interchangeable. Acoustic strings are thicker and have a wound bronze or phosphor bronze core. Electric strings are thinner and have a nickel-plated steel core. Check your guitar type before you buy.

Install the new string at the bridge

Take the new string out of the package. On an acoustic guitar, insert the ball end (the small metal bead at one end) into the bridge hole, then push the bridge pin in on top of it to hold it in place. The pin should sit flush with the bridge surface.

On an electric guitar, thread the string through the bridge hole from the back of the guitar. Pull the string tight so the ball end sits snug against the bridge. Some electric bridges have a fine-tuner screw — make sure the string is seated properly before you tighten it.

Pull the string up toward the headstock with moderate tension. It should run straight along the fretboard without touching the frets.

Thread and wind the string at the headstock

Insert the other end of the string (the end without the ball) into the hole in the tuning peg. Leave about two inches of slack — too much string makes the winding messy, too little means you will not get enough wraps around the peg.

Hold the string taut with one hand and turn the tuning peg with the other. Wind the string around the peg three to four times, keeping the wraps neat and close together. The string should spiral downward on the peg, not pile up in one spot.

As you wind, the string will tighten and the pitch will rise. Stop winding when the string is snug but not at full pitch yet.

Tune the new string to pitch

Use a tuner — a clip-on tuner costs $10 to $30 and clips to the headstock — to bring the string up to the correct note. Turn the tuning peg slowly until the tuner shows the right pitch. For a standard six-string guitar tuned to E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high), the string you replaced will be one of those notes.

New strings go flat quickly for the first 24 hours. Retune every few minutes for the first hour, then check it again before you play. This is normal and does not mean the string is defective.

Once the string holds pitch for a few hours, it is broken in. You can now play normally.

Why strings break and how to prevent it

Strings break from age, rust, or sudden stress. A string that has been on the guitar for more than a year is more likely to snap than a fresh one. Humidity and sweat corrode the metal, especially on the wound strings (the thicker ones). Bending a string too hard or too fast can also snap it, particularly near the nut or bridge where the string is under the most tension.

To extend string life, wipe down your strings after you play. Keep your guitar in a case or gig bag when you are not using it. If you live in a humid climate, store the guitar in a room with moderate humidity — very dry air makes strings brittle, and very wet air makes them rust.

Replace all six strings at once every 6 to 12 months if you play regularly, or every 12 to 18 months if you play casually. A full set of six strings costs $5 to $15 depending on the brand. Changing them all at once keeps the tone consistent across all strings and gives you a chance to clean the fretboard and hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play with a broken string?

You can play the other five strings, but the broken one will not produce sound. If the break is near the bridge or nut, the sharp end can scratch your hand or damage the fretboard finish. It is better to remove it right away.

Do I have to replace all six strings at once?

No. You can replace one string at a time. However, if multiple strings are old or corroded, replacing them all together keeps the tone balanced and saves you the trouble of doing it piecemeal over the next few weeks.

How tight should I wind the string around the tuning peg?

Wind it three to four times, keeping the wraps close and neat. The string should not slip when you tug it, but you should not have to strain to turn the tuning peg. If the peg is hard to turn, you have wound it too tight.

What if the new string breaks in the same spot?

A break in the exact same location twice suggests a sharp edge or burr at the bridge or nut. Inspect that spot closely. If you see a rough edge, you may need to have a repair person smooth it out. Playing the same string too hard or bending it aggressively in that spot can also cause repeated breaks.

Should I replace the bridge pin when I put in a new string?

Not unless the old pin is cracked or damaged. Bridge pins wear slowly and usually last the life of the guitar. If the pin is intact, reuse it.