How to Change Classical Guitar Strings

Changing classical guitar strings is not as tough as it seems. Follow the steps and accompanying photos in this do-it-yourself "how to" guide and you'll be able to change classical guitar strings like a pro. Click on photos to see them at full size. The trickiest part is fastening the strings to the bridge and the tuning pegs. But, once you've learned to change one string, you've learned all there is to know. The same repeated steps are used for each string.

Remove Old Strings

Step 1 - Using wire cutters or snippers, cut the old strings and remove them from the guitar. You'll save time by cutting all the strings at once, but you can cut one at a time. If you don't have wire cutters or snippers, you can use nail clippers or strong scissors. Keep in mind, though, that the cutting edges of nail clippers or scissors will get dulled and nicked and will no longer be good for normal use.

Step 2 - Turn all the tuning peg machines so that the tuning peg holes are facing straight out.

Step 3 - It's a good time to clean and polish your guitar while the strings are off.


Fasten New Strings to the Bridge

Step 4 - Slip the end of a new string 5 or 6 inches through its corresponding hole in the bridge, going from the direction of the sound hole to the outside of the bridge.

Step 5 - Loosely bend the short end of the string back and cross the long end of the string, as you would to tie a shoelace.

Step 6 - Using the inside crease of the first knuckle on the forefinger to measure the right length of the short end of the string, tightly loop the short end of the string around the long end of the string.

Step 7 - Twist the short end of the string around itself 2-4 times.

Step 8 - Hold the twisted knot securely at the bridge and pull the long end of the string to cinch the knot. After the knot is tight around the bridge, maintain tension in the long end of the string as you proceed to the next steps.

Fasten New Strings to the Tuning Pegs

Step 9 - Loop the tip of the long end of the string over the peg and through the back. Pull the string all the way through the tuning peg hole and pull up the slack until the string is snug all the way down to the bridge.

Step 10 - Loop the tip of the string back through the tuning peg hole around the string.

Step 11 - Pull the tip of the string out the back of the tuning peg until the loop is snug around the string.

 

Step 12 - After the loop is cinched at the tuning peg, maintain tension on the string so that the loop does not loosen.

Step 13 - Slowly but steadily, wind the tuning peg machine with a string winder (if you have one) in the clockwise direction until the string is at the correct pitch. Wind slowly as the string becomes taught. The small diameter strings especially can break if too much tension is applied before they have time to stretch. Don't worry about the strings slipping out of pitch at this step.

Step 14 - Repeat steps 4 through 13 for the remaining strings.


Trim String Ends

Step 15 - At the bridge, cut the excess length of the string ends, leaving only about 1/8" to 1/4".

Step 16 - At the tuning pegs, cut the excess length of the string ends, leaving only about 1/8" to 1/4".


Tune Strings

Step 17 - Using a piano, pitch pipe, or electronic guitar tuner, tune the strings to their correct pitches. From low to high, the pitches are: E, A, D, G, B, E.

Step 18 - Strum the strings for a minute or two. This will cause the knots at either end to cinch tighter. It will also cause the string material to stretch out all the way.

Step 19 - Tune the strings again to their correct pitches as needed. The new strings will soon hold their pitch.


That's all there is to it! After you change a set of strings on a classical guitar one or two times and have gotten the hang of it, it will only take you around 10 minutes to change a set of strings from then on.