What You Need Before You Start
Restringing a guitar takes about 15 to 30 minutes once you have the right tools. You will need a new set of strings matched to your guitar type (acoustic or electric), a wire cutter, a string winder (optional but speeds the job), and a tuner. A workspace with good light and a stable surface to rest the guitar makes the work easier. Some people use a cloth under the headstock to protect the finish.
Before you buy strings, check what gauge your guitar uses. The gauge is the thickness of the strings, and using the wrong one can damage the neck or sound poor. Look at the packaging of your old strings or check your guitar's manual. Acoustic strings are thicker and have bronze or phosphor bronze windings; electric strings are thinner and usually nickel-plated steel.
Key Takeaways
- Remove old strings one at a time by loosening the tuning pegs, then pull them out of the bridge and tuning posts.
- Clean the fretboard and body while the strings are off, since you cannot reach those spots easily with strings on.
- Insert new strings into the bridge first (or bridge pins on acoustic guitars), then thread them through the tuning posts and wind them tight.
- Tune the strings to pitch and let them settle for a few hours; new strings go flat quickly at first and need retuning several times.
- Stretch the strings gently by hand after tuning to help them hold pitch longer and speed up the settling process.
Removing the Old Strings
Loosen the tuning pegs on the headstock by turning them counterclockwise until the strings are slack. You can remove all six strings at once, or do it one at a time if you want to keep tension on the neck. Removing them one at a time is safer for the guitar's structural integrity, especially on older instruments.
Once the strings are loose, remove the bridge pins (on acoustic guitars) by gently prying them up with a string winder or small flathead screwdriver. On electric guitars, the strings straightforward pull out of the bridge. Pull each string out of the tuning post hole on the headstock and discard it. Wipe down the fretboard and body with a soft cloth while the strings are off—this is the only time you can easily reach those areas.
Preparing the Bridge and Tuning Posts
Look at the bridge or bridge pins to make sure they are clean and not cracked. If a bridge pin is damaged, replace it with one from your new string set (most sets include spares). On electric guitars, check that the bridge saddle is seated properly and not loose.
On the headstock, look at each tuning post hole. If there is old string material stuck inside, use a small pick or needle to clear it out. This prevents the new string from sitting unevenly and helps it hold pitch better. Wipe the tuning posts with a cloth to remove any dirt or corrosion.
Installing New Strings on an Acoustic Guitar
Start with the thickest string (the low E string). Insert the ball end of the string into the bridge hole, then push the bridge pin in firmly on top of it. The pin should sit flush with the bridge surface. The groove in the bridge pin should align with the string so the pin does not pinch it sideways.
Pull the string up toward the headstock and insert it through the hole in the tuning post. Leave about two inches of slack so you have room to wind. Turn the tuning peg counterclockwise (when looking at the headstock from the front) to wind the string around the post. Wind downward so the string wraps neatly in layers. After three or four wraps, pull the string tight and continue winding until it reaches pitch. Repeat for the remaining five strings, working from thickest to thinnest.
Installing New Strings on an Electric Guitar
Electric guitars vary by bridge type, but the most common setup has a bridge with individual saddles. Insert the ball end of the thickest string into the bridge hole and find it according to your guitar's design—some bridges have a locking mechanism, others straightforward hold the string in place by tension.
Thread the string through the tuning post hole on the headstock, leaving about two inches of slack. Turn the tuning peg counterclockwise to wind the string. On electric guitars, aim for two to three wraps around the post before the string reaches pitch. Keep tension on the string with your other hand as you wind so it seats evenly. Repeat for all six strings, starting with the thickest.
Tuning and Stretching New Strings
Use a tuner to bring each string to its correct pitch. Start with the low E string and work up to the high E. New strings stretch as you play them, so they will go flat within minutes. Tune them to pitch, wait a minute, and tune again. Repeat this three or four times over the first 15 minutes.
After tuning, gently stretch each string by pulling it away from the fretboard at the middle of its length. Pull firmly but not hard enough to bend the neck. Stretch each string two or three times, then retune. This helps the string settle faster and hold pitch longer. Let the guitar sit for a few hours and retune once more before playing. New strings typically need retuning several times over the first day or two.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Winding the string in the wrong direction (clockwise instead of counterclockwise) will loosen it instead of tightening it. Check your tuner to confirm the string is going sharp, not flat, as you wind. Winding too many times around the post (more than four or five) makes the string harder to tune and can cause tuning instability.
Inserting the string at the wrong angle into the tuning post hole can cause it to slip or break. The string should go straight into the hole, not at an angle. On acoustic guitars, pushing the bridge pin in at an angle instead of straight down can crack the bridge. Use steady, even pressure and push straight down. If a bridge pin is hard to remove, gently rock it side to side instead of pulling straight up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I restring my guitar?
Most players restring every three to six months, depending on how often they play. If you play daily, strings wear out faster and may need changing every two to three months. If you play occasionally, they may last six months or longer. Strings sound duller and feel rougher as they age, which is usually the sign to change them.
Can I restring my guitar without a string winder?
Yes. A string winder makes the job faster by spinning the tuning peg automatically, but you can wind by hand. Turn the tuning peg slowly and steadily, keeping tension on the string with your other hand. It takes longer but works just as well.
What if a string breaks while I'm winding it?
Stop when ready and remove the broken piece. Check the tuning post hole and bridge for damage. If the hole is cracked or enlarged, you may need a repair. If it looks fine, insert a new string and try again, being careful not to over-tighten.
Do I need to change all six strings at once?
No. You can change one string at a time if you prefer. Changing them all at once lets you clean the fretboard and neck, but changing one at a time keeps more tension on the neck. Either method works; choose based on what feels right for your guitar.
Why do new strings sound different from old ones?
New strings are brighter and have more sustain because the metal windings are clean and undamaged. As you play, the windings oxidize and wear, and the sound becomes duller and shorter. This is normal and happens to all strings over time.