Restringing a 12-string guitar takes about 30 to 45 minutes once you know the process
A 12-string guitar has six pairs of strings instead of six single strings. Each pair is tuned close together—usually in unison or an octave apart—so when you restring, you're replacing 12 strings, not 6. The process is the same as restringing a standard guitar, but it takes longer because you have twice as many strings to wind, tune, and stretch. You'll need wire cutters, a string winder (optional but helpful), a tuner, and a new set of 12-string strings.
The hardest part for most people is not the restringing itself—it's keeping track of which string goes where. A 12-string set comes with pairs already matched, so you don't have to guess. The real challenge is winding the strings evenly so they don't slip, and tuning them without breaking them while they're still new and tight.
Key Takeaways
- A 12-string set includes six pairs of strings, and you insert both strings of each pair into the same bridge pin hole and tuning peg.
- Wind each string at least three full turns around the tuning peg post to prevent slipping, and keep tension on the string with your other hand while winding.
- New strings go sharp as you tune them up, then flat as they settle, so tune slightly under pitch the first time and retune after 10 minutes.
- Stretch each string gently by pulling it away from the fretboard after tuning to help it settle faster and stay in tune longer.
- The whole job—removing old strings, installing new ones, and getting them stable—usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
What you need before you start
Gather a new set of 12-string acoustic or electric strings (depending on your guitar type). The set will come in a package labeled "12-string" and will include six pairs. You'll also need wire cutters to trim the excess string after winding, a tuner (a clip-on tuner works fine), and a string winder if you have one—it's not required, but it saves your hand from cramping.
Have a clean, flat workspace where your guitar won't roll or tip. A guitar stand or strap helps keep your hands free. If you're doing this for the first time, set aside 45 minutes to an hour so you're not rushed. Rushing leads to wound strings that slip or break.
Remove the old strings
Loosen the tuning pegs at the headstock by turning them counterclockwise until all the strings are slack. You can remove them one at a time or all at once—removing all at once makes it easier to clean the fretboard, but it puts less stress on the neck. For a 12-string, removing all at once is fine.
Once the strings are slack, remove the bridge pins (the small pegs that hold the strings in the bridge at the body of the guitar). Pull them straight up and out. Then pull the old strings out of the bridge holes and unwind them from the tuning pegs. Discard them or recycle them if your area accepts metal.
Insert the new strings into the bridge
A 12-string bridge has six holes, just like a standard guitar bridge. Each hole will hold two strings—one pair. Take the first pair of strings from your new set. Insert both strings into the first bridge hole at the same time. They should sit side by side in the hole.
Once both strings are in the hole, insert the bridge pin on top of them. The pin holds both strings in place. Repeat this for all six pairs. Make sure both strings of each pair are seated all the way into the bridge hole before you push the pin in, or the strings will slip when you tune up.
Wind the strings onto the tuning pegs
Start with the thickest pair (the low E strings). Pull the string up to the tuning peg post on the headstock. Leave about two to three inches of slack between the bridge and the peg—this gives you enough string to wrap around the post without having to cut too much later.
Insert the string into the hole in the tuning peg post. Hold the string taut with one hand and turn the tuning peg with the other hand. Wind the string around the post at least three full turns. Each turn should sit below the previous one, moving down the post toward the headstock body. This prevents the string from slipping when you tune up.
Keep tension on the string while you wind—don't let it go slack. If it goes slack, the wraps will be loose and the string will slip. After three turns, continue winding until the string is tight enough that you can't easily move it by hand. Then move to the second string of the pair and repeat. Wind both strings of each pair before moving to the next pair.
A string winder makes this faster: insert the string into the peg hole, hook the winder onto the peg, and turn the handle. The winder does the turning for you, and you just hold tension on the string. If you don't have a winder, your hand will do the job fine—it just takes longer.
Trim the excess string and tune up
Once all 12 strings are wound and tight, use wire cutters to trim the excess string sticking out past the tuning peg posts. Cut close to the post but not so close that you cut into the wound part of the string. Leave about a quarter-inch of slack so the string doesn't unwind.
Clip your tuner onto the headstock. Tune each string to pitch, starting with the thickest pair. Tune the first string of the pair, then the second. Move through all six pairs. New strings will go sharp (higher in pitch) as you tune them up because they're stretching. This is normal.
Once all 12 strings are at pitch, wait 10 minutes. The strings will relax and drop in pitch. Retune them. They may drop again after another 10 minutes. Retune a second time. After the second retune, they should hold pitch for the rest of the day.
Stretch the strings to help them settle
Gently pull each string away from the fretboard, about an inch or two. Don't yank—a steady, gentle pull is enough. This stretches the string and helps it settle into its final pitch faster. Do this for all 12 strings, then retune. This step cuts down on the number of times you'll have to retune over the next few hours.
After stretching and retuning, your 12-string guitar should hold pitch for several hours. By the next day, the strings will have settled completely and will hold pitch like a normal set of strings.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is not winding enough turns around the tuning peg post. If you wind only one or two turns, the string will slip when you tune up, and you'll lose pitch. Always wind at least three full turns, and keep tension on the string while you wind.
Another mistake is inserting the bridge pin before both strings are fully seated in the bridge hole. If one string is only halfway in, it will slip up and out when you tune, and you'll have to start over. Push both strings all the way into the hole before you insert the pin.
A third mistake is tuning too fast. New strings are under a lot of stress, and if you crank the tuning peg too hard or too fast, you can break a string. Turn the tuning peg slowly and steadily. If you feel resistance, stop and check that the string is wound correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restring just one pair instead of all 12?
Yes. If only one string breaks, you can replace just that pair. Remove the bridge pin, pull out the broken string and its partner, and insert a new pair. Wind and tune the same way. You don't have to restring the whole guitar unless you want to.
Why do new strings sound dull at first?
New strings have a coating of manufacturing oil on them. This dampens the sound. The dullness goes away after a few hours of playing as the oil wears off. You can speed this up by wiping each string with a clean cloth after you tune.
How tight should the strings be wound around the post?
Tight enough that you can't easily move the string by hand, but not so tight that you're straining to turn the tuning peg. If the tuning peg feels hard to turn, you've wound too tightly. Loosen it slightly and retune. The string should feel firm but not rigid.
What if a string breaks while I'm winding it?
Stop when ready and remove the broken string. Unwind it from the tuning peg and pull it out of the bridge. Insert a new string from your set and start over. If you break more than one string from the same pair, you may have a defective set—contact the seller for a replacement.
Do I need to change the bridge pins when I restring?
No, the same bridge pins work for new strings. If a pin is cracked or damaged, replace it with a new one of the same size. Most 12-string guitars use standard bridge pins that fit any acoustic or electric 12-string.