What You Need Before You Start

A twelve-string guitar needs a full set of twelve-string replacement strings, a wire cutter, a string winder (optional but saves time and hand strain), and a tuner. You will also need a workspace where you can lay the guitar flat or rest it safely — a guitar stand or your lap works fine. Have a trash bin nearby for the old strings.

The strings come in six pairs. Each pair consists of one wound string (thicker, with wire wrapped around a core) and one plain string (thinner, unwound). The pairs are tuned in unison or octaves depending on the string gauge and manufacturer. Most twelve-string sets come with instructions showing which strings pair together, so check the package before you open it.

If you have never changed strings before, the process takes thirty to forty-five minutes. With practice, you can do it in fifteen to twenty. Work in good light so you can see the bridge pins clearly and thread the strings without fumbling.

Key Takeaways

  • Remove all twelve old strings at once by loosening the tuning pegs, then pull them out of the bridge and headstock.
  • Insert new strings into the bridge holes, find them with bridge pins, then thread the other end through the tuning peg holes.
  • Wind each string onto its tuning peg in a downward spiral, keeping tension with your other hand so the string stays centered in the nut slot.
  • Tune to pitch and stretch the strings by pulling gently on each one, then retune — new strings go flat quickly for the first few hours.
  • A string winder makes the job faster and easier, especially for the wound strings, but is not required.

Removing the Old Strings

Loosen all twelve tuning pegs at the headstock by turning them counterclockwise. Turn slowly and steadily — do not crank them all the way down in one motion, because the sudden loss of tension can stress the neck. Loosen each peg a quarter turn, then move to the next one, and repeat until all strings are slack enough to pull out by hand.

Once the strings are loose, pull them out of the bridge at the body of the guitar. Most twelve-string guitars use bridge pins — small tapered pegs that sit in holes and hold the strings in place. Pull the pins straight up and out, then remove the strings. If a pin is stuck, wiggle it gently side to side before pulling.

After you remove all the strings, wipe down the fretboard and the body. You now have access to parts you cannot normally reach, so use a soft cloth to remove dust and buildup. This is the best time to clean your guitar.

Installing New Strings at the Bridge

Start with the thickest pair — the low E strings. Take one wound string and one plain string together and insert them into the first bridge hole (the one closest to the body on the bass side). Push them in until they sit firmly in the hole. The strings should go in side by side, not one on top of the other.

Insert a bridge pin into the hole on top of the strings. The pin has a groove or slot running down its length — align this groove with the strings so the pin does not pinch them. Push the pin down firmly until it sits flush with the bridge. The pin holds the strings in place and transfers their vibration to the bridge.

Repeat this process for all six pairs, working from the thickest strings to the thinnest. Each pair goes into its own hole in order. Once all twelve strings are in the bridge and all six pins are seated, move to the headstock.

Threading Strings Through the Tuning Pegs

Start at the headstock with the low E pair. Take the wound string first and thread it through the hole in the tuning peg for the low E. Leave about two to three inches of slack — enough to wrap around the peg post two or three times. The exact length depends on the size of your headstock, but too much slack means wasted wraps and a sloppy result, while too little means the string may slip.

Hold the string taut with one hand and turn the tuning peg with the other so the string wraps downward around the post in a spiral. Keep the string centered in the nut slot (the groove at the top of the neck where the strings sit) as you wind. If the string drifts to one side, stop, unwind, and start again. Three wraps around the post is standard for wound strings.

Once the wound string is wound and roughly in tune, thread the plain string through the next tuning peg and repeat. The plain string usually needs only two wraps because it is thinner and grips the post more easily. Continue this pattern for all six pairs.

Tuning and Stretching New Strings

Tune all twelve strings to pitch using a tuner. New strings will not hold pitch — they stretch and go flat within minutes. This is normal. Tune them up, then gently pull on each string about six inches away from the middle of the fretboard, stretching it slightly. Release and retune. Repeat this process two or three times for each string.

After stretching, the strings will be noticeably flatter than they were moments before. Tune again. New strings continue to stretch and drift for several hours, so expect to retune multiple times over the next few hours of playing. By the next day, the strings will stabilize and hold pitch much better.

If a string slips at the tuning peg during this process, loosen the peg slightly, pull the string taut, and wind it tighter. A string that slips has not wrapped enough times around the post or was not wound tightly enough.

Using a String Winder to Speed Up the Process

A string winder is a hand-crank tool that turns the tuning peg for you. Insert the string through the tuning peg hole, place the winder's socket over the peg post, and crank the handle. The winder turns the peg steadily while you hold the string taut with your other hand. This takes the repetitive strain out of winding and produces more even, consistent wraps.

String winders cost between eight and twenty dollars and work on any guitar. They are especially useful for twelve-string guitars because you have twice as many strings to wind. If you plan to change strings regularly, a winder is a worthwhile investment. If you change strings once or twice a year, your hands will do the job fine.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is winding the string upward instead of downward around the tuning peg post. Strings wound upward tend to slip and go out of tune quickly. Always wind downward — the string should spiral down the post toward the body of the guitar. This creates natural tension that holds the string in place.

Another mistake is leaving too much slack when threading the string through the peg hole. More than three inches of slack means you will wind the string many times around the post, which looks messy and can cause the string to overlap itself. Less than one inch means the string may not grip the post well enough. Two to three inches is the target.

Do not force bridge pins into the holes. If a pin does not slide in smoothly, check that the strings are seated properly in the bridge hole and that the pin's groove is aligned with the strings. Forcing a pin can crack the bridge or damage the strings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change the strings on a twelve-string guitar?

This depends on how often you play and how hard you play. Light players who play a few times a week might change strings every six to twelve months. Frequent players or those who play hard may need to change strings every two to four months. Signs that strings need changing include loss of brightness, difficulty staying in tune, visible rust or corrosion, or a string that sounds dead or muted compared to the others.

Can I replace just one or two strings instead of the whole set?

Yes, you can replace individual strings or pairs. However, new strings sound brighter than old ones, so replacing just one pair may create a noticeable tonal difference. Many players prefer to change the whole set at once so all strings age together and sound balanced. If one string breaks, replacing just that pair is fine.

What is the difference between the wound and plain strings in each pair?

The wound string is thicker and has wire wrapped around a steel core, which gives it a deeper tone and more mass. The plain string is thinner and unwound, which gives it a brighter tone. In a twelve-string guitar, each pair is tuned to the same note or an octave apart, so the two strings blend together and create the characteristic full, shimmering sound of a twelve-string.

Why do new strings go flat so quickly?

New strings are under tension for the first time, and the material stretches as it adjusts to that tension. This stretching causes the pitch to drop. Once the strings have been played for a few hours and stretched several times, the material stabilizes and the strings hold pitch much more reliably. This is why stretching new strings by hand before you play is helpful — it speeds up the stabilization process.

Do I need to loosen all the strings before I start, or can I change them one pair at a time?

You can do either. Loosening all strings at once and removing them all before installing new ones is faster and lets you clean the fretboard and bridge. Changing one pair at a time keeps tension on the neck and is safer if you are worried about neck stress, though modern guitars are built to handle the full string change without damage. Most players loosen and remove all strings at once.