What You Need Before You Start
Re-stringing a guitar takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you have the right tools and a new set of strings. You will need a new set of strings matched to your guitar type (acoustic or electric), wire cutters, a string winder (optional but saves time and hand strain), and a tuner. A clean cloth is useful for wiping down the fretboard while the strings are off.
Before you begin, lay out all your tools and the new strings in front of you. Acoustic and electric guitars use different string gauges and materials, so make sure your new set matches your guitar. If you are unsure, check the packaging of your old strings or look up your guitar model online.
Key Takeaways
- Remove all six strings by loosening the tuning pegs until the strings go slack, then unwind them completely and pull them out of the bridge.
- Insert each new string into the bridge hole, pull it tight toward the headstock, and wind it around the tuning peg three to four times before tuning.
- A string winder tool speeds up the winding process and reduces hand fatigue, though you can wind by hand if you turn the peg slowly and steadily.
- New strings take 24 to 48 hours to fully settle, so expect to retune your guitar several times in the first day.
- Trim excess string length at the headstock with wire cutters once all strings are wound and tuned to pitch.
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 goes completely slack. You should be able to move the string freely with your fingers. Work through all six strings, starting with the thickest (low E) or the thinnest (high E)—the order does not matter.
Once all strings are loose, unwind them completely from the tuning pegs. Pull each string out of the peg hole and set it aside. Then go to the bridge (the piece at the bottom of the guitar body where strings anchor). On acoustic guitars, you will see bridge pins holding the strings in place; pull these pins straight up and out. On electric guitars, the strings may thread through holes in the bridge or sit on a bridge saddle—straightforward pull the strings free. Remove all six strings completely.
With the strings off, wipe down the fretboard and the areas around the bridge and tuning pegs. This is the easiest time to clean your guitar.
Installing New Strings on an Acoustic Guitar
Start with the thickest string (low E). Insert the ball end (the small metal ball at one end of the string) into the bridge hole at the bottom of the guitar. Push it in firmly so it seats against the inside of the bridge. Then place the bridge pin back into the hole on top of the string. The groove in the bridge pin should face the string so the pin holds it in place without cutting it.
Pull the string up toward the headstock and insert the other end into the hole in the tuning peg. Leave about two inches of slack. Begin winding the tuning peg counterclockwise (when looking at the headstock from the front). The string should wrap around the peg post three to four times. Wind slowly and keep tension on the string with your other hand so the wraps stay neat and do not overlap. Once you have wound it enough times, tune the string up to pitch using a tuner.
Repeat this process for each remaining string, working from the thickest to the thinnest. The thinner strings may need only two to three wraps around the peg because they are narrower.
Installing New Strings on an Electric Guitar
The process is similar to acoustic, but the bridge design differs. On most electric guitars, strings thread through holes in the bridge or sit on a bridge saddle. Insert the ball end of the thickest string into the bridge hole (or lay it on the saddle if your guitar uses one). Pull the string up toward the headstock and insert the other end into the tuning peg hole, leaving about two inches of slack.
Wind the tuning peg counterclockwise, keeping the string tight as you wrap. Aim for three to four wraps around the peg post. Once wound, tune the string to pitch. Repeat for all six strings. Some electric guitars have locking tuning pegs that clamp the string in place; if yours does, insert the string, tighten the clamp, and then wind the peg.
Winding the Strings Correctly
The way you wind a string affects how well it stays in tune. Turn the tuning peg slowly and steadily, keeping light tension on the string with your other hand. The string should wrap downward on the peg post, with each wrap sitting below the one before it. Do not let wraps overlap or stack on top of each other, as this causes the string to slip.
If you have a string winder, insert the string into the winder's slot and position the winder over the tuning peg. Turn the winder's handle clockwise; it will turn the peg for you. This is much faster than winding by hand and reduces hand strain. Stop winding when the string is close to pitch, then finish tuning with your tuner for precision.
Once all strings are wound and tuned, use wire cutters to trim the excess string length at the headstock. Cut about half an inch above the tuning peg to avoid sharp ends while leaving enough length that the string will not slip out of the peg hole.
Tuning and Settling New Strings
New strings go out of tune quickly because the material is still stretching. Tune all six strings to pitch using a tuner, then wait a few minutes and tune again. You may need to retune three to five times over the first hour. This is normal and does not mean you did something wrong.
New strings typically take 24 to 48 hours to fully settle into their final pitch. During this time, retune your guitar whenever you play it. After a day or two, the strings will hold their tuning much more consistently. If a string continues to slip or go flat much faster than the others, check that it is wound neatly around the peg post and that the bridge pin (on acoustic) or bridge anchor (on electric) is seated firmly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is winding the string too many times around the peg post or letting wraps overlap. This causes the string to slip and go out of tune. Aim for three to four neat, downward wraps with no overlapping. Another mistake is not leaving enough slack before winding; if the string is already tight when you start winding, you will over-tighten it and risk breaking it or damaging the tuning peg.
On acoustic guitars, forgetting to replace the bridge pin is an straightforward oversight that will cause the string to slip out. On electric guitars, make sure the string is fully seated in the bridge hole or on the saddle before winding. If a string keeps going flat, the bridge pin may be cracked or the bridge hole may be damaged; in that case, the bridge itself may need repair by a technician.
Do not cut the excess string length until all strings are wound and tuned. If you cut too early, you may not have enough length to wind properly, and you will have to start over with that string.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I re-string my guitar?
Most players re-string every three to six months, depending on how often they play and how hard they play. If you play daily, strings may wear out faster. If you notice a string sounds dull, breaks easily, or will not hold tuning, it is time to replace the whole set.
Can I replace just one string instead of all six?
Yes, you can replace a single broken string. However, older strings sound duller than new ones, so your guitar may sound uneven. Many players replace all six at once to keep the tone consistent across the neck.
What if a string breaks while I am winding it?
Stop when ready and remove the broken string. Start over with a fresh string from your set. Strings break during winding usually because you wound too tightly or the peg post has a sharp edge. Wind more gently next time, and inspect the peg post for burrs.
Do I need to loosen the strings before storing my guitar for a long time?
Loosening strings slightly reduces tension on the neck and can help preserve the guitar during long storage, though it is not required. Loosen them a half-turn or so—do not remove them entirely unless the guitar will be stored for several months.
Why do my new strings sound different from the old ones?
New strings are brighter and have more sustain than worn strings. This brightness fades over a few days as the strings settle. If the tone is too bright for your taste, you can dampen it slightly by placing a cloth over the strings near the bridge, though this is temporary.