------------------------------------------------------------------------How to change guitar strings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Marius Vosloo
You have finally settled on the proper guitar instruction, whether it's interactive guitar lessons or lessons from an experienced private tutor. At this point you've probably been practicing a lot. You're skills are improving daily, and your guitar is working overtime. The strings are taking a beating. You will have to change the strings on your guitar. There'll be times when you have to change one when it breaks. It's recommended to regularly change them to counteract normal wear and tear.
The regular changing of strings are influenced by certain factors. If you play your guitar frequently, it's advisable to change your strings once a week or once a month.
The majority of pro guitarists prefer to change their strings before each performance. However, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. An important consideration is when you're using your guitar for a gig, is that your strings need a few hours of play to break in properly. During this time, your strings will go out of tune as they stretch so you'll have to retune.
You should follow these guidelines:
Remove the old strings by detuning the machine heads until the tension becomes loose enough to allow you to pull each string away from the headstock.
Another quick way to remove the old strings is to snip them using a pair of wire cutters. Be very careful if you do it this way, and make sure they are loose, since the bare ends of the strings can be sharp and easily flap around. Bare guitar strings are amongst the many things you DO NOT want to catch in your eye.
How you go about installing your new strings will usually depend on the type of guitar you have, as many guitars have slightly different methods. However, the strings are usually held in place at one end by fixtures behind or on the bridge, and at the other by turning the machine head on the headstock.
Regardless of what kind of guitar you have, your strings need to be stretched after you've put them on. When you first tune your guitar, put your hand under each string around the pickup area, pull the string a few centimeters away from the fretboard, then release it. If the pitch has dropped, retune and repeat the process. Keep doing this until all the strings stay in tune.
On most electric guitars the strings are either secured at the bridge end by an independent tailpiece (like most Gibson guitars), or passed through the body of the instrument from the back into an all-in-one bridge unit (like most fender style guitars).
At one end of every steel string, you will find a tiny disc of metal around which one end of the string is wrapped. This is called the ball end.
Take the opposite end of the string and thread it through the fixture at the bridge.
Pull the string through until the ball end stops you from pulling the string any further.
Most electric and steel-string guitars use a similar system for securing strings at the machine head. The capstan to which the string is attached stands out vertically from the headstock. Strings can be passed through a hole in the side of the capstan.
The end is then passed around and under, trapping it in place when the machine head is tightened. Some capstans have vertical slots instead of holes. To use these, cut the string to length, and insert into the tip of the capstan. Then bend the string to one side and wind it around.
This leaves the string endings neat and tidy.
Here's what you do next: Slowly turn the machine head for each string, increasing the tension until the string becomes suitably tight.
To save yourself time and energy, you can use a cheap plastic string winder, which simply fits over the machine head allowing you to crank it along more quickly.
If you have know how to change guitar strings regurlarly, you're on your way to become an accomplished guitarist. All the experienced guitarists can change guitar strings fast, even when they're under pressure from performing to a large audience. The ability to keep calm and give 100%, will distinguish you from the beginners. With practice comes experience.
You have finally settled on the proper guitar instruction, whether it's interactive guitar lessons or lessons from an experienced private tutor. At this point you've probably been practicing a lot. You're skills are improving daily, and your guitar is working overtime. The strings are taking a beating. You will have to change the strings on your guitar. There'll be times when you have to change one when it breaks. It's recommended to regularly change them to counteract normal wear and tear.
The regular changing of strings are influenced by certain factors. If you play your guitar frequently, it's advisable to change your strings once a week or once a month.
The majority of pro guitarists prefer to change their strings before each performance. However, it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. An important consideration is when you're using your guitar for a gig, is that your strings need a few hours of play to break in properly. During this time, your strings will go out of tune as they stretch so you'll have to retune.
You should follow these guidelines:
Remove the old strings by detuning the machine heads until the tension becomes loose enough to allow you to pull each string away from the headstock.
Another quick way to remove the old strings is to snip them using a pair of wire cutters. Be very careful if you do it this way, and make sure they are loose, since the bare ends of the strings can be sharp and easily flap around. Bare guitar strings are amongst the many things you DO NOT want to catch in your eye.
How you go about installing your new strings will usually depend on the type of guitar you have, as many guitars have slightly different methods. However, the strings are usually held in place at one end by fixtures behind or on the bridge, and at the other by turning the machine head on the headstock.
Regardless of what kind of guitar you have, your strings need to be stretched after you've put them on. When you first tune your guitar, put your hand under each string around the pickup area, pull the string a few centimeters away from the fretboard, then release it. If the pitch has dropped, retune and repeat the process. Keep doing this until all the strings stay in tune.
On most electric guitars the strings are either secured at the bridge end by an independent tailpiece (like most Gibson guitars), or passed through the body of the instrument from the back into an all-in-one bridge unit (like most fender style guitars).
At one end of every steel string, you will find a tiny disc of metal around which one end of the string is wrapped. This is called the ball end.
Take the opposite end of the string and thread it through the fixture at the bridge.
Pull the string through until the ball end stops you from pulling the string any further.
Most electric and steel-string guitars use a similar system for securing strings at the machine head. The capstan to which the string is attached stands out vertically from the headstock. Strings can be passed through a hole in the side of the capstan.
The end is then passed around and under, trapping it in place when the machine head is tightened. Some capstans have vertical slots instead of holes. To use these, cut the string to length, and insert into the tip of the capstan. Then bend the string to one side and wind it around.
This leaves the string endings neat and tidy.
Here's what you do next: Slowly turn the machine head for each string, increasing the tension until the string becomes suitably tight.
To save yourself time and energy, you can use a cheap plastic string winder, which simply fits over the machine head allowing you to crank it along more quickly.
If you have know how to change guitar strings regurlarly, you're on your way to become an accomplished guitarist. All the experienced guitarists can change guitar strings fast, even when they're under pressure from performing to a large audience. The ability to keep calm and give 100%, will distinguish you from the beginners. With practice comes experience.
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