How Do You Change Guitar Strings on an Acoustic?

New strings are able to upgrade your acoustic guitar’s sound from poor and dull to rich and ringing. Whether you’re preparing for future guitar classes in Pearland, TX or simply maintaining your guitar at home, knowing how to change guitar strings is a useful skill that will have your guitar sound its absolute best.

 

Old strings wear out in their pitch, become harder to precisely tune, and will even break at the most inopportune moments. Changing strings on an acoustic guitar every 3 to 6 months, depending upon playing time, will keep your guitar sounding crisp and in pitch for far longer.

 

Is It a Job You Can Do Yourself?

 

Definitely, if you have the skills. How do you change guitar strings on an acoustic? Replacing the strings can be simple maintenance you can do in your home. No need for high-priced tools or decades of experience – all it requires is a string winder (convenient but not a necessity), wire cutters, and 15 to 20 minutes of your time.

 

Actually, most guitarists prefer to change their strings themselves because it allows them to develop a feel for their guitar. You will develop a sense of just the right amount of tension when you’re tuning, and you will have the time to get things seated and wound just so.

 

The process might feel intimidating the first time, but it becomes second nature after a few string changes. Plus, you’ll save money on shop visits and have the convenience of changing strings whenever needed.

 

Are Professionals Better?

 

While pros will no doubt change strings quickly, they’re not necessarily “better” for this specific job. Guitar techs will likely be perhaps faster and have the appropriate tools, but string change doesn’t demand the level of expertise that goes into higher-level work such as fretwork or electronics.

 

But technicians do have some positives. They will be able to identify issues that may develop in your guitar while they change the strings, like worn frets, bridge trouble, or neck issues. They are also familiar with various string configurations and will know the optimum configuration for your style of playing and your guitar.

 

The major benefit of a DIY string replacement is saving money and time. Pro replacement of the string will cost you $15-30+ the cost of the strings themselves, but a self replacement will cost you only the cost of the strings themselves.

 

How It’s Done, Regardless of Who Does It

 

You might be wondering about the best way to change strings on an acoustic guitar. The process for string-changing remains the same whether you perform it yourself or observe a master perform it.

 

Removing Old Strings

 

Start by loosening each string using the tuning pegs until there’s no tension, then remove them completely. Some players remove all strings at once, while others prefer to change one string at a time to maintain neck tension. Both approaches work fine for acoustic guitars.

 

New String Installation

 

If you’re not sure how to change the strings on an acoustic guitar, begin with the thickest string (the low E) and work your way towards the thinnest (the high E). Thread each string through the bridge pinhole inside the guitar and pull it through until the ball end is brought to a stop by the bridge plate inside the body.

 

Seat the bridge pin in place so that the string goes into the pin’s groove. Wind the string to the appropriate tuning peg and take it through the post hole.

 

Winding and Tuning

 

Leave a bit of sag in the string – at least 2 to 3 inches beyond the tuning peg – then begin to wind. Rotate the tuning peg so that the string will wrap around the post in good, tight turns. This will help it resist slipping and keep the guitar in pitch.

Adjust the string in pitch but prepare yourself for the string stretching and flattening when new. New strings take their time to settle and will thus need to be retuned a number of times when the first playing days ensue.

 

Keep Your Guitar Sounding Its Best

 

A string change is a fundamental technique that all players will want to master. Whether you do it yourself or have it done professionally, regular string change will keep your acoustic guitar playing lively and responsive.

 

Begin by doing it yourself – you will find this is a fun maintenance ritual. If you’re having trouble or prefer a pro’s opinion regarding your guitar setup, you’re always able to do this later!