Replace the broken string one at a time

The fastest way to fix a broken guitar string is to remove the old one and thread a new one through the same hole. You do not need to remove all the strings at once — in fact, replacing them one at a time keeps tension on the neck and makes the job simpler. A single string takes about five minutes once you have done it once.

The process is the same whether your guitar is acoustic or electric, and whether the string broke at the bridge, in the middle, or at the tuning peg. You will need a new string that matches the gauge (thickness) of the one that broke, wire cutters, and a string winder if you have one — though a pencil works just as well to turn the tuning peg faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Remove the old string by loosening the tuning peg until the string goes slack, then pull it out of the bridge and tuning peg.
  • Thread the new string through the bridge first, then through the tuning peg hole, leaving enough slack to wrap around the peg.
  • Wind the string around the tuning peg in the direction that pulls the string tight, keeping tension with your other hand so the wraps stay neat.
  • Tune the string up to pitch gradually over a few minutes, then trim the excess with wire cutters once it holds tension.
  • New strings take a few hours to settle; retune every 30 minutes for the first few hours as the string stretches.

Loosen and remove the old string

Turn the tuning peg counterclockwise (or clockwise, depending on which peg it is) until the string goes completely slack. You will feel the tension release in your hand. Keep turning until the string hangs loose enough that you can pull it out by hand.

Once the string is slack, pull it out of the tuning peg hole at the headstock. Then go to the other end of the guitar and remove the string from the bridge. On an acoustic guitar, you may need to remove a bridge pin — a small wooden or plastic peg that holds the string in place. On an electric guitar, the string usually just pulls straight out. If the string broke in the middle, you will have two pieces to remove.

Thread the new string through the bridge

Take your new string and insert it into the bridge hole first. On an acoustic guitar, push the string all the way through, then replace the bridge pin on top of it. On an electric guitar, thread the string through the bridge saddle or bridge block, depending on your guitar's design.

Pull the string tight toward the headstock so it sits snugly in the bridge. You want just enough tension that the string does not slip back out, but not so much that you strain your hands. The string should run straight up the neck toward the tuning peg.

Insert the string into the tuning peg and begin winding

Thread the string through the hole in the tuning peg, leaving about two to three inches of slack. This slack is what you will wrap around the peg to create tension. If you leave too little slack, you will not have enough wraps; too much and the string will be loose and hard to tune.

Hold the string taut with one hand (or have someone hold it for you) and turn the tuning peg with the other. The direction depends on which peg you are turning — some turn clockwise and some counterclockwise to tighten. Turn slowly at first so you can see which direction pulls the string tight. Once you know the direction, keep turning while maintaining light tension on the string with your other hand.

As you turn, the string will wrap around the peg in neat coils. Aim for two to four wraps around the peg before the string reaches pitch. If the wraps start to overlap or pile on top of each other, you are turning too fast or not guiding the string properly — slow down and use your finger to guide each wrap down the peg as you turn.

Tune the string to pitch and let it settle

Once you have wound the string around the peg, use a tuner to bring it up to the correct pitch. Tune slowly — do not jump straight to full pitch. Bring it up gradually over 30 seconds or so, then check the pitch again. New strings stretch as they are tensioned, so you may need to retune it a few times in the first few minutes.

After the string reaches pitch, let it sit for a few minutes and retune it again. New strings continue to stretch and go flat as they settle. You will likely need to retune every 30 minutes for the first few hours. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong — the string is just adjusting to the tension.

Trim the excess string at the headstock

Once the string has settled and holds pitch for at least a few minutes, use wire cutters to trim the excess string sticking out past the tuning peg. Leave about a quarter-inch of slack so the cut end does not unwind, but trim close enough that you do not have a long tail flopping around.

Be careful when cutting — the string can snap back toward your face. Angle the cutters downward and away from your body, and wear glasses if you have them. The small piece you cut off is sharp, so dispose of it safely where no one will step on it or get pricked.

When to replace all the strings at once

You do not need to replace all six strings just because one broke. Replace them one at a time as they break or wear out. However, if your guitar is very old, all the strings sound dull, or you have not changed them in over a year, replacing the whole set at once will make the guitar sound brighter and more responsive.

If you do replace all the strings at once, remove and replace one string at a time rather than taking them all off together. Removing all the strings at once removes all tension from the neck, which can cause the truss rod to shift and the action (string height) to change. Replacing them one at a time keeps the neck stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what gauge string to buy?

Look at the packaging of your original strings or check your guitar's manual — it will list the gauge set, usually something like "10-46" for acoustic or "9-42" for electric. The numbers refer to the thickness of the thinnest and thickest strings. Buy the same gauge so the guitar sounds and plays the way it did before.

Can I reuse a string that broke?

No. Once a string breaks, the metal is damaged and will break again quickly, even if you tie the pieces together. Always replace it with a new string. A single replacement string costs between one and three dollars, so it is not worth the risk of the string breaking mid-song.

Why does my new string sound different from the old ones?

New strings are brighter and have more sustain than old ones. If you replaced only one string, it will sound noticeably different from the others until they all age together. If the difference bothers you, replace all six strings over the next few weeks as the new one settles in, or replace them all at once.

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

Wind it snugly but not so tight that you strain the peg or the string. The wraps should sit neatly next to each other without overlapping or bunching. If the peg feels hard to turn or the string feels like it might snap, you are winding too tight — back off slightly and let the string settle before tuning further.

What if the string keeps going flat after I tune it?

New strings stretch for the first few hours, so some drop in pitch is normal. Retune every 30 minutes for the first few hours. If the string continues to drop in pitch after several hours, check that the bridge pin (on acoustic) is seated properly and that the string is wound neatly around the tuning peg with no loose wraps. If the problem persists, the string may be defective — replace it with a new one.