Learning how to string an acoustic guitar helps you sound your best. Old strings sound dull and break more easily. So learning how to string an acoustic guitar is really important if you want to always sound your best.
Watch the video and read the step-by-step guide below to learn how to string an acoustic guitar with steel strings. If your guitar has nylon strings, read out post covering how to string a classical or nylon string acoustic.
Step-By-Step Guide: How to String an Acoustic Guitar
- Learn about guitar string basics and the types of acoustic guitar strings available, and then purchase a set of acoustic guitar strings to put on your guitar.
- Remove one old string by loosening the string and then pulling the string gently off the tuning key. It’s best to change strings one-at-a-time instead of removing all of the strings. Keeping some tension protects your guitar neck.
- Remove the string from the bridge by pulling the plastic bridge pin using a lever (the U-shaped slot cut into a string winder is made for this task).
- Insert the end of the new string with the metal ball into the hole.
- Replace the plastic pin so that it holds the new string down firmly.
- Locate the corresponding tuning key at the head of the guitar.
- Wrap the loose end of the string around the tuning key once or twice.
- Insert the end of the string through the hole in the tuning key.
- Pull the end of the string through the hole. It should look like the picture below.
- Turn the tuning key away from you to tighten the string.
- Use a tuner to bring the string up close to pitch and avoid over tightening the string.
- Once the string is close to pitch, move on to the next string. Wait until you are done changing all of the strings to attempt precision tuning.
Time to Tune Your Guitar
After changing strings, it’s time to tune your guitar. New strings will stretch and need to be brought back up to pitch as you play. This is normal. Here’s a post to help you learn how to tune your guitar. If you want a high-quality, inexpensive, digital tuner to make tuning easy, check out the PitchBoy mini tuner that fits on a key chain.
About the Truss Rod
Guitars designed to use steel strings have a metal truss rod that runs through the guitar neck to counter-act the tension of steel strings pulling forward on the guitar neck. If your guitar strings are very hard to press down, or are buzzing when you play notes and chords, you should have your truss rod adjustment checked by a qualified repair person.