Stringing a Left-Handed Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide

For left-handed guitarists, finding the right information and resources can sometimes feel like navigating a right-handed world. While the fundamental principles of guitar playing and maintenance are largely the same, there are certain nuances specific to left-handed instruments. One of the most essential maintenance tasks, stringing a guitar, can initially seem daunting. However, with the right guidance and a methodical approach, it can become a comfortable and regular practice. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough on how to string a left-handed guitar, covering all the necessary tools, techniques, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Why Is Stringing a Left-Handed Guitar Important?

Before diving into the how-to, it’s worth understanding why proper stringing is crucial:

• Optimal Sound Quality: Fresh strings resonate more clearly, producing a brighter, more vibrant tone. Old, worn strings often sound dull and lifeless.
• Playability: Old strings can develop corrosion, making them rough and difficult to play. New strings provide a smooth, comfortable playing experience.
• Intonation: Properly installed and stretched strings help your guitar maintain accurate intonation across the fretboard.
• String Longevity: Correct stringing reduces the risk of breakage and prolongs the lifespan of your strings.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start, gather the following tools:

• New Set of Strings: Make sure you purchase strings specifically designed for the type of guitar you own (e.g., acoustic, electric, classical). Also, consider the gauge you prefer.
• String Winder: This tool makes winding the strings much faster and easier.
• Wire Cutters or String Clippers: For cutting the excess string after stringing.
• Optional: A guitar tuner (clip-on or otherwise), neck rest, cleaning cloth.

Understanding String Types and Gauges

Before you begin, it’s crucial to grasp some essential details about guitar strings.

String Materials

• Nickel-Plated Steel: Common for electric guitars, offering a balanced tone.
• Stainless Steel: Brighter and more resistant to corrosion, also used in electric guitars.
• Phosphor Bronze: Often found on acoustic guitars, known for their warm tone and long life.
• 80/20 Bronze: Another type for acoustic guitars, typically producing a brighter sound than phosphor bronze.
• Nylon: Used for classical guitars, characterized by their softer tone and feel.

String Gauges

String gauge refers to the thickness of the strings. Gauges are typically expressed in thousandths of an inch (e.g., .010 or .011). Common gauges include:

• Extra Light: (.010 – .047) – Easier to bend, less volume, and lower tension. Good for beginners and those with finger sensitivity.
• Light: (.012 – .053) – A balance between playability and tone, a popular choice for acoustic players.
• Medium: (.013 – .056) – Greater volume and projection, more tension, favored by some seasoned players.
• Heavy: (.014 – .059 and above) – More tension and sustain, used by some players in specific genres, like those using low tunings.

Note: The gauge you choose influences the feel and sound of your guitar. It’s important to choose a gauge you find comfortable and that suits your playing style and desired tone.

Step-by-Step Guide: Stringing a Left-Handed Guitar

Now, let’s get into the practical steps of restringing your left-handed guitar.

Step 1: Prepare Your Guitar

Before removing your old strings, take a moment to prepare your guitar:

• Lay out your work area: Place a soft cloth or towel on your work surface to protect your guitar’s finish.
• Support the neck: Use a neck rest or a carefully folded towel to support the guitar’s neck, preventing any undue stress.
• Organize your supplies: Have your new strings, string winder, and wire cutters within easy reach.

Step 2: Remove the Old Strings

Here’s how to safely remove your old strings:

1. Loosen the strings: Use the string winder (or your hand) to loosen the tuning pegs, which will loosen the string tension on the strings. Continue until you have loosened the strings enough that you can easily slip them off the tuning pegs. Do not cut the strings right away.
2. Remove string from Tuning Pegs: Unwind the old string completely from the tuning peg.
3. Remove the string from the bridge: Carefully remove the string from the bridge or tailpiece. This may involve sliding a ball-end out of the bridge, or removing a string from a through-body bridge.
4. Repeat: Repeat this process for each string on the guitar.
5. Dispose of old strings: Discard the old strings responsibly. Be careful when handling old strings, as they can be sharp.

Important Note: Remove strings one by one. Removing all the strings at once can cause the guitar neck to flex, and may cause long term problems if done regularly.

Step 3: Clean Your Fretboard

With the old strings removed, take this opportunity to give your fretboard a quick cleaning:

• Use a clean cloth: Lightly wipe down the fretboard with a microfiber cloth to remove any dirt, dust, or grime.
• Optional: Apply a small amount of fretboard conditioner if needed (especially for rosewood or ebony fretboards). Follow the product’s directions.

Step 4: Install the New Strings

Now it’s time to put on those new strings!

1. Start with the thickest string: Begin with the thickest string (the low E string for standard tuning) and work your way to the thinnest string. This can help balance the tension on the neck while stringing.
2. Insert the string through the bridge: Place the ball-end of the string into the corresponding hole or slot in the bridge. Ensure that it is securely seated.
3. Guide the string towards the tuning peg: Carefully guide the string through the nut slot that corresponds with the string position, and towards the corresponding tuning peg.
4. Prepare the tuning peg: Depending on your tuning machines, your approach may vary slightly.
   • Standard Tuning Pegs: Place the tip of the string through the hole in the tuning peg. Pull the string snug, and then create 90 degree bend in the string, about an inch or two beyond the hole in the tuning peg. Wind the string up the tuning peg, over the portion of the string running through the hole.
   • Locking Tuning Pegs: Loosen the locking screw on the back of the peg. Insert the tip of the string through the hole in the tuning peg and pull the string through until it is snug. Tighten the locking screw.
5. Start Winding: Begin winding the tuning peg to take up any slack.
6. Wind Carefully: Wind the strings neatly and evenly, ensuring that the windings stay below the hole in the tuning peg. This technique helps create a secure hold on the string and prevent slippage.
7. Don’t overtighten: Initially, aim for a loose tension. We’ll fully tune the guitar later.
8. Repeat: Repeat these steps for each of the remaining strings.

Step 5: Stretch and Tune

Once all the strings are installed, it’s time to stretch and tune them:

1. Stretch the strings: Gently pull on each string, about an inch from the bridge. Apply moderate tension and move the strings in both directions. This process will cause the strings to loosen up. Repeat this several times. This action will help your strings settle in quicker and prevent constant retuning.
2. Tune to pitch: Use a tuner to tune each string to the correct pitch. Go through this process multiple times, as strings will stretch and go flat.
3. Fine-Tune: After stretching and initial tuning, do a final fine-tuning. Let the guitar settle for a short while, and then re-tune, as the strings will have shifted slightly again.

Step 6: Trim the Excess Strings

Finally, trim the excess string:

• Cut Carefully: Use your wire cutters or string clippers to trim the excess string close to the tuning peg.
• Avoid sharp edges: Ensure that the cut ends are not left with sharp points that could poke you while playing.
• Dispose properly: Dispose of the string clippings safely.

Specific Notes for Left-Handed Stringing

The process described above is largely the same for both left- and right-handed guitars. However, there are a couple of specific points to keep in mind for left-handed guitars:

• Reverse Order of String Placement: Unlike a right-handed guitar, where the lowest-pitched (thickest) string is on the bottom, the thickest string on a left-handed guitar will be on the top (closest to your face when playing). When replacing strings, you need to be sure to place them in this order, rather than switching the string order from a right handed guitar.
• Tuning Peg Direction: The tuning pegs are on the opposite side of the headstock compared to right-handed guitars. Pay attention to the direction in which you need to turn the tuning pegs to increase or decrease the string tension.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common errors that guitarists, especially beginners, can make when stringing their guitars:

• Overtightening Strings Too Quickly: Avoid going straight to full tension. It’s best to start with a loose tension and then gradually tune up the strings, stretching them periodically. This will avoid any damage to your guitar’s neck.
• Not Stretching New Strings: Stretching is essential to stabilize the strings and prevent excessive detuning. Skipping this step will require constant re-tuning.
• Winding Strings Incorrectly: The string windings should be neat and go below the hole on the tuning peg. If strings cross on the tuning pegs, it can cause slippage.
• Using the Wrong Strings: Make sure you’re using strings intended for your guitar type (acoustic, electric, classical). Also, be mindful of the gauge.
• Not Cleaning the Fretboard: Take advantage of string changes to give your fretboard a quick cleaning.
• Cutting strings too short: Leaving a little bit of slack is much better than cutting the strings so short that the string doesn’t fully wind on the tuning peg. Having a short string can cause the string to slip or be difficult to tune.

Tips for Maintaining String Health

To extend the life of your guitar strings and maintain their playability, follow these tips:

• Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands before playing to reduce the transfer of oils and dirt to your strings.
• Wipe Down Your Strings: After playing, wipe your strings down with a clean cloth to remove sweat and other residues.
• Use String Cleaner: Consider using a string cleaning product for more thorough cleaning. Follow the product’s directions.
• Store Your Guitar Properly: Keep your guitar in a case when not in use to protect it from dust, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
• Change Strings Regularly: Replace your strings regularly, even if they don’t appear worn. The frequency depends on how often you play and your individual preferences.

Conclusion

Stringing your left-handed guitar might seem complicated at first, but with practice, it will become a quick and easy task. The steps are similar to stringing a right-handed guitar, with a few considerations to keep in mind due to the reversed setup. By following the steps and guidelines in this article, you will be able to maintain your guitar in excellent playing condition, and enjoy the optimal sound from your instrument. Regular string changes not only improve the tone and playability of your guitar but also contribute to its overall longevity. So, don’t hesitate to dive in, and enjoy the process of caring for your instrument.