You can replace acoustic guitar strings yourself in about 15 minutes once you know the order of steps

Replacing acoustic guitar strings is a straightforward task that does not require special tools beyond what came with your guitar or what you likely have at home. The job breaks into three parts: removing the old strings, cleaning the fretboard while it is exposed, and installing the new set. Most people finish the entire job in 15 to 20 minutes after the first time.

You will need wire cutters (or scissors), a string winder (optional but speeds the process), and a tuner. A clean cloth is useful for wiping down the fretboard. New acoustic strings come as a set of six, and the thickest string (low E) goes on the thickest peg at the headstock; the thinnest string (high E) goes on the thinnest peg.

Key Takeaways

  • Remove all six old strings at once by loosening the tuning pegs, then pull the bridge pins out from the bridge to free the strings at the body.
  • Clean the fretboard and the areas under the strings while the strings are off, since you cannot reach them once new strings are installed.
  • Insert new strings through the bridge holes, replace the bridge pins, and thread each string up to its tuning peg before winding.
  • Wind each string around its peg so the string wraps downward and inward, keeping tension even so the string does not slip.
  • Tune to pitch and retune every few hours for the first day, because new strings stretch and go flat quickly at first.

Removing the old strings and bridge pins

Start by loosening all six tuning pegs at the headstock. Turn each peg counterclockwise (when looking at the headstock from the front) until the strings are slack enough that you can pull them by hand. You do not need to unwind them completely; just get them loose enough to remove.

Once the strings are slack, move to the bridge at the body of the guitar. The bridge holds the strings in place with six bridge pins — small cylindrical pegs that sit in holes along the bridge. Pull each pin straight up and out. They may require a gentle wiggle or a slight prying motion with your fingernail or a flathead screwdriver. Once the pins are out, the strings will come free from the bridge. Pull all six old strings out and discard them.

Clean the fretboard and bridge area while strings are off

With the strings removed, you have clear access to the fretboard and the areas around the bridge and tuning pegs. Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to wipe down the fretboard, removing dust and any buildup. This is the easiest time to do it, and you will not get another chance until the next string change.

Wipe around the bridge and the bridge pins as well. If the bridge pins are dirty, clean them before you reinstall them. A clean fretboard and bridge make the guitar look and feel better, and it takes only a minute.

Insert new strings through the bridge and find with bridge pins

Take your new string set. The strings are usually ordered from thickest to thinnest. Start with the thickest string (low E, the 6th string). Insert the ball end (the small loop at one end of the string) into the bridge hole closest to the thickest tuning peg. The ball end sits inside the guitar body, held in place by the bridge pin.

Insert the bridge pin into the hole on top of the ball end. The pin should sit snugly and hold the string in place. Repeat this process for all six strings, working from thickest to thinnest. Once all six strings are in the bridge and pinned, gently pull each string upward to make sure the ball end is seated properly against the pin.

Thread strings to the tuning pegs and wind them on

Take the low E string (the thickest one) and pull it up toward the headstock. Thread it through the hole in the thickest tuning peg. Leave about two to three inches of slack so you have room to wind the string around the peg post. The string should wrap around the peg post downward and inward — meaning the string spirals down the post and toward the center of the headstock, not outward.

Using your fingers or a string winder, turn the tuning peg so the string wraps around the post. Wind slowly and keep slight tension on the string with your other hand so it does not bunch up or cross over itself. After two or three wraps, the string should be snug enough that it does not slip. Continue winding until the string is close to pitch — you do not need to tune it exactly yet.

Repeat this process for all six strings. Each string should wrap in the same direction (downward and inward) around its peg. Once all six strings are wound on, use a tuner to bring them up to pitch: E, A, D, G, B, E from thickest to thinnest.

Trim excess string length and tune repeatedly over the first day

Once all strings are at pitch, use wire cutters to trim the excess string length at the headstock. Cut the strings close to the peg posts, leaving just enough that they do not unwind. Be careful not to cut so close that the string slips out of the peg hole.

New strings stretch quickly, especially in the first few hours. Retune your guitar every 30 minutes to an hour for the first day. Each time you tune, the strings will have gone flat slightly. This is normal and will stop after a day or two. Once the strings have settled, they will hold pitch much more reliably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove all six strings at once, or can I change them one at a time?

You can change them one at a time, but removing all six at once is faster and lets you clean the fretboard. If you leave the neck under tension from some strings while removing others, you risk warping the neck slightly over time. Removing all six takes only a few extra minutes and is safer for the guitar.

What if a bridge pin breaks or gets stuck?

Bridge pins are inexpensive and come in packs at any music store. If one breaks, replace it with a new one. If one is stuck, try gently rocking it side to side while pulling upward, or use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out slowly. Do not force it hard enough to crack the bridge.

How tight should I wind the strings around the tuning pegs?

Wind until the string is snug and does not slip when you tug on it gently. You do not need to crank the peg as hard as it will go. Two to four wraps around the peg post is typical. If the string slips during tuning, wind it one more time and try again.

Can I reuse old strings if I take them off carefully?

Acoustic strings lose their tone and brightness after a few weeks of playing, and they are prone to breaking once they have been removed and rewound. It is not worth the risk. New strings cost between $5 and $15 per set and sound noticeably better than old ones.

Why do new strings go out of tune so quickly?

New strings are not yet stretched. As you play and as the string settles into the bridge and tuning peg, it elongates slightly, which lowers the pitch. This happens fastest in the first few hours and slows down after a day. Retune frequently at first, and the strings will stabilize.