How to Change Guitar Strings

This guide will teach anyone how to change the strings on their guitar, which is an essential part of normal upkeep.

Guitar

New pack of Guitar Strings

Small Wire Cutters

To get started, detune the guitar until all of the strings are loose. After this is done, clip the strings using the wire cutters and remove from guitar.

Although this is optional, I would recommend cleaning or wiping down the guitar while the strings are removed, as it is easy do to so without them in the way.

After opening your strings up, take the low E string and put it on the guitar. This step will look different for all guitars, but it will be easy to see how they ran through the bridge before.

Pull the string tight and lay it next to its appropriate tuner. Use the wire cutters to cut the string 1-1.5 tuners past the desired tuner (as shown in picture). Once cut feed the string through the tuner by about a centimeter or less. While holding it in this position, turn the tuner counterclockwise until tight, and then tune it to the proper note.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the next 5 strings until the guitar is fully strung.

Although this step is optional, I would highly recommend it. New strings will always be very stretchy, and as a result will go out of tune rapidly when initially playing. To avoid this, grab the strings and gently pull on them several times while tuning back to the proper note in between.

After the strings are secure and tuned, you're done!