What you need before you start
Installing new strings on an acoustic guitar takes about 15 to 20 minutes once you have the right tools. You will need a new set of acoustic guitar strings (typically six strings, though some guitars have twelve), wire cutters, a string winder (optional but speeds up the process), and a tuner. A clean cloth is useful for wiping down the fretboard while the strings are off.
Before you begin, lay out your workspace on a flat surface where the guitar won't roll. Have all your tools within arm's reach. If you are replacing strings for the first time, do not worry about damaging the guitar—the process is straightforward and the instrument is built to handle it.
Key Takeaways
- Remove all six old strings by loosening the tuning pegs until the strings go slack, then pull them out of the bridge and headstock.
- Insert each new string into the bridge pin hole at the bridge, then pull the string tight and insert the bridge pin to hold it in place.
- Thread the string through the tuning peg hole, wrap it around the post two to three times, and wind it tight using the tuning peg.
- Tune each string to pitch using a tuner, then gently stretch the strings by pulling on them to help them settle and hold their tuning longer.
- New strings will go out of tune quickly for the first few hours—this is normal and does not mean you installed them wrong.
Removing the old strings
Start by loosening the tuning pegs at the headstock. Turn each peg counterclockwise (when looking at the headstock from the front) until the string is completely slack. You do not need to remove the pegs themselves—just loosen them enough that the strings hang loose.
Once all six strings are slack, pull them out of the tuning peg holes at the headstock. Then move to the bridge at the bottom of the guitar. Each string is held in place by a bridge pin—a small wooden or plastic peg that sits in a hole. Pull out each bridge pin (they come out easily by hand or with gentle prying) and remove the old strings from the bridge holes.
With the strings off, wipe down the fretboard and the body of the guitar with a clean cloth. This is the easiest time to clean areas you normally cannot reach.
Installing strings at the bridge
Take your first new string—typically the thickest one, called the low E string. Insert the ball end (the small metal piece at one end of the string) into the bridge hole closest to you on the bridge. The bridge holes are arranged in a line across the bridge, and the thickest strings go in the outer holes.
Pull the string tight so it sits snugly in the hole. Then insert the bridge pin into the hole on top of the string. The pin holds the string in place and prevents it from slipping out. The pin should sit flush with the bridge—if it sticks up, tap it gently with a hammer or the handle of a screwdriver until it sits level.
Repeat this process for all six strings, working from the thickest to the thinnest. Each string gets its own hole and its own bridge pin.
Threading strings through the headstock
Now move to the headstock. Take the first string (the low E) and thread it through the hole in the tuning peg post. Leave about two inches of slack—enough to wrap around the post two or three times without the string becoming too tight.
Hold the string taut with one hand and begin turning the tuning peg with the other hand. As you turn, the string will wrap around the post. Keep tension on the string so the wraps stay neat and do not overlap. Two to three wraps is the standard—more than that and the string may slip; fewer and it may not hold tuning.
Once you have wrapped the string, continue turning the tuning peg until the string reaches the correct pitch. A string winder makes this faster by letting you turn the peg with a crank, but you can do it by hand. Repeat for all six strings.
Tuning and stretching new strings
Use a tuner to bring each string to its correct pitch. The standard tuning for an acoustic guitar from thickest to thinnest is E, A, D, G, B, E. Clip-on tuners are inexpensive and work well for this—they attach to the headstock and detect vibration as you pluck each string.
Once all strings are tuned to pitch, gently stretch them by pulling on each string away from the fretboard. This helps the strings settle and hold their tuning longer. Pull firmly but not so hard that you risk breaking a string. Retune after stretching, as the strings will have gone slightly flat.
New strings will continue to go out of tune over the next few hours as they settle. This is completely normal. Retune them once or twice over the first day, and by the next day they should hold their pitch much more reliably.
Trimming excess string length
Once the strings are tuned and settled, you can trim the excess string that sticks out past the tuning pegs. Use wire cutters to snip the string about an inch past the peg. Leave some length so the string does not slip out, but trim enough that you do not have long strands sticking out from the headstock.
Be careful when cutting—the cut ends are sharp. Trim one string at a time and keep your fingers clear of the cutting area. If you are uncomfortable with this step, you can leave the excess string as is; it does not affect how the guitar sounds or plays.
Troubleshooting common problems
If a string keeps slipping out of the tuning peg hole, you may not have wrapped it enough times around the post. Loosen the string, add another wrap, and retune. If the string breaks during installation, it was likely defective—replace it with a new one from the set.
If the bridge pin keeps popping out, make sure it is fully seated in the hole. Tap it gently with a hammer until it sits flush. If it still pops out, the pin may be worn or damaged—most guitar shops sell replacement bridge pins for a few dollars.
If the guitar sounds dull or muted after stringing, the strings may not be fully seated in the bridge or nut. Remove the bridge pins, reseat the strings, and reinstall the pins. Retune and listen again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change my acoustic guitar strings?
Most players change strings every three to six months, depending on how often they play and how they sound. Strings that sound dull, feel rough, or have visible rust or corrosion are ready to be replaced. If you play daily, you may want to change them every three months; if you play occasionally, every six months is fine.
Do I have to change all six strings at once?
You can change them one at a time if you prefer, though changing all six at once is faster and lets you clean the fretboard. If you change one at a time, loosen it, remove it, install the new one, and tune it before moving to the next string. The guitar will stay in tune better this way.
What if I cannot get the bridge pins out?
Bridge pins can stick if they have been in place for a long time. Try gently rocking the pin side to side while pulling up, or use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out slowly. If the pin is cracked or damaged, it may break—in that case, you will need a replacement pin from a guitar shop.
Why do new strings sound different from old ones?
New strings are brighter and have more sustain than old strings because the metal is not yet worn down. Over a few weeks, they will mellow slightly and settle into their final tone. This is normal and not a sign that anything is wrong.
Can I reuse old strings?
Old strings lose their brightness and can develop flat spots or rust, so they are not worth reusing. It is better to start fresh with a new set. Used strings are difficult to sell and most players straightforward discard them.