What You Need Before You Start
Restringing 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 string set matched to your guitar type (acoustic or electric), wire cutters, a string winder (optional but speeds the job), a tuner, and a clean cloth. Lay everything on a flat surface near good lighting so you can see what you are doing.
Before you begin, decide whether to change one string at a time or remove all six at once. Changing them one at a time keeps tension on the neck and is easier for beginners. Removing all strings at once lets you clean the fretboard underneath, but the neck loses tension temporarily. Either method works—pick whichever feels less intimidating.
Key Takeaways
- Remove old strings by loosening the tuning pegs until the string goes slack, then unwind it completely and pull it out of the bridge.
- Insert the new string into the bridge hole, pull it tight toward the headstock, and wind it around the tuning peg post in a downward spiral.
- Wind the string so it wraps two to three times around the post without overlapping itself, keeping tension with your other hand as you turn the peg.
- Tune the string to pitch using a tuner, then repeat for each remaining string and tune the whole guitar again after all strings are installed.
- New strings take several hours to settle and will go out of tune repeatedly—this is normal and does not mean you did the work wrong.
Removing the Old String
Start at the thickest string (the low E string) or whichever string you are replacing first. Locate the tuning peg for that string at the headstock. Turn the tuning peg counterclockwise (when looking at the headstock from the front) until the string goes completely slack. You should be able to move the string side to side without resistance.
Once the string is slack, unwind it fully from the tuning peg post. You may need to turn the peg several full rotations. After the string is unwound, go to the bridge at the other end of the guitar. On an acoustic guitar, pull the bridge pin (a small wooden or plastic peg) straight up and out. On an electric guitar, the string usually threads through a hole in the bridge or bridge block—straightforward pull the string out. Remove the old string completely.
Inserting the New String at the Bridge
Take the new string from the package. On an acoustic guitar, insert the ball end (the small metal loop at one end) into the bridge hole, then push the bridge pin back in on top of it. The pin holds the string in place. On an electric guitar, thread the string through the bridge hole until the ball end catches on the other side, or insert it into the bridge block if your guitar has a different bridge design.
Pull the string up toward the headstock with moderate tension—not so hard you strain your hand, but firm enough that the string is straight and taut. This makes winding easier and prevents kinks. If you are replacing one string at a time, the other strings will help keep the neck stable as you work.
Winding the String Around the Tuning Peg
Hold the string taut with one hand and position it over the tuning peg post. The string should approach the post from the side closest to the center of the headstock. Begin turning the tuning peg counterclockwise (for the lower strings) or clockwise (for the higher strings—check your specific guitar, as this varies). As you turn, the string will wrap around the post in a downward spiral.
Wind the string so it wraps around the post two to three times without overlapping itself. Each wrap should sit below the previous one, moving down the post. Keep tension on the string with your other hand as you wind—this prevents slack and keeps the wraps neat. If you have a string winder, insert the string into the winder's slot and turn the handle instead of turning the peg by hand. This is faster and requires less hand strength.
Stop winding when the string reaches the bottom of the post. The string should be snug but not so tight that you cannot turn the peg smoothly. Trim any excess string hanging past the post using wire cutters—this prevents it from catching on other strings or your hand.
Tuning and Settling the New String
Use a tuner to bring the new string to the correct pitch. Pluck the string and watch the tuner display. Turn the tuning peg to raise or lower the pitch until the tuner shows the correct note. For a standard guitar, the strings from thickest to thinnest are E, A, D, G, B, and E. Tune slowly and carefully—new strings are straightforward to overtighten and break.
Once all six strings are installed and tuned to pitch, tune the entire guitar again from the thickest string to the thinnest. New strings stretch as they settle, so the pitch will drop. You may need to retune every few minutes for the first hour. This is completely normal and does not mean you made a mistake. After several hours of playing, the strings will stabilize and hold their pitch much better.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is winding the string upward on the post instead of downward. This creates overlapping wraps that can slip or break. Always wind downward in a neat spiral. Another mistake is winding too many times around the post—more than three wraps is unnecessary and makes the string harder to tune smoothly.
Do not cut the string too short at the headstock. Leave at least a quarter-inch of excess so the string does not slip out of the post as it settles. Conversely, do not leave so much excess that it dangles and catches on other strings. Also avoid tuning the string too quickly to pitch. New strings are under stress and can snap if you turn the peg too fast or too far. Tune gradually and stop if you feel unusual resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I restring my guitar?
This depends on how often you play. A casual player might restring every three to six months, while someone who plays daily may need new strings every four to eight weeks. Strings sound duller and feel rougher as they age, and they break more easily. When you notice the tone has lost brightness or a string feels uncomfortable, it is time for new strings.
Can I reuse old strings?
Old strings lose their tone and become brittle, so reusing them is not recommended. However, if a single string breaks and you need a temporary replacement, you can move a used string from another position. This is a short-term fix only—replace it with a new string as soon as you can.
What if a string breaks while I am winding it?
Stop when ready and remove the broken piece. Start over with a fresh string from the package. Strings occasionally break during installation if they are defective or if you wind them too tightly too quickly. This is rare, and a new string will work fine.
Do I need to change all six strings at once?
No. You can replace strings one at a time, which is easier for beginners and keeps neck tension stable. Changing all six at once lets you clean the fretboard, but it takes longer and requires more care to avoid damaging the neck. Either approach works.
Why does my guitar sound out of tune even after I tuned it?
New strings stretch and settle for several hours after installation, causing the pitch to drop. Retune your guitar every few minutes for the first hour, then again after playing for a while. Once the strings have settled (usually after a few hours), they will hold pitch much more reliably.