How to Restring Your Acoustic Guitar: A Comprehensive Guide
Restringing your acoustic guitar is a fundamental skill for any guitarist. Fresh strings can dramatically improve your guitar’s tone and playability, making practice more enjoyable and performances more impactful. While it might seem daunting at first, with a little patience and the right guidance, anyone can learn to restring their acoustic guitar with confidence. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the process, from gathering your supplies to stretching your new strings.
## Why Restring Your Guitar?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s understand why restringing is so important. Guitar strings lose their vibrancy and tone over time due to several factors:
* **Oxidation:** Exposure to air and moisture causes the metal in the strings to oxidize, leading to a duller sound.
* **Dirt and Grime:** Finger oils, sweat, and dust accumulate on the strings, deadening their resonance.
* **Constant Use:** Repeated playing stretches the strings, causing them to lose their tension and intonation (the accuracy of the notes along the fretboard).
Ideally, you should restring your guitar every 1-3 months, depending on how often you play. If you notice any of the following, it’s definitely time for a string change:
* **Dull or Lifeless Tone:** The guitar sounds flat and lacks its usual brightness.
* **Difficulty Staying in Tune:** The strings constantly slip out of tune.
* **Visible Dirt and Corrosion:** The strings appear dirty, rusty, or discolored.
* **String Breakage:** An obvious sign that the strings are worn out.
## What You’ll Need
To restring your acoustic guitar, you’ll need the following:
* **New Guitar Strings:** Choose strings specifically designed for acoustic guitars. They come in various gauges (thicknesses), which affect the tone and playability. Lighter gauges are easier to play but produce a thinner sound, while heavier gauges offer a fuller tone but require more finger strength. Popular acoustic string brands include D’Addario, Ernie Ball, Elixir, and Martin. Consider trying different gauges and materials (e.g., phosphor bronze, 80/20 bronze) to find what you like best.
* **String Winder (Optional but Recommended):** A string winder significantly speeds up the process of winding the strings onto the tuning pegs. This inexpensive tool is well worth the investment.
* **Wire Cutter or String Cutter:** You’ll need these to trim the excess string length after restringing. Avoid using household scissors, as they can be damaged by the metal strings.
* **Tuning Device:** A tuner (either electronic or a tuning fork/pitch pipe) is essential for accurately tuning your guitar after restringing. Clip-on tuners are a convenient option.
* **Neck Rest (Optional):** A neck rest supports the guitar’s neck during restringing, preventing accidental damage. You can also use a rolled-up towel or soft cloth.
* **Fretboard Cleaner (Optional):** This is a good opportunity to clean your fretboard, removing dirt and grime that has accumulated over time.
* **Soft Cloth (Optional):** Use this to wipe down the body and neck of the guitar.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Restringing Your Acoustic Guitar
Now that you have your supplies, let’s get started! Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth and successful restringing process.
**1. Prepare Your Workspace and Guitar**
* Find a well-lit and comfortable workspace where you can easily access your guitar and tools.
* Place the guitar on a flat surface, such as a table or workbench. Use a neck rest or rolled-up towel to support the neck.
* If you’re using a fretboard cleaner, now is the time to apply it. Follow the instructions on the cleaner and wipe away any excess.
**2. Remove the Old Strings**
* **Loosen the Strings:** Use the string winder or your fingers to loosen each string by turning the tuning pegs counterclockwise. Keep loosening until the string is slack enough to be easily removed.
* **Remove the Bridge Pins:** Acoustic guitars use bridge pins to hold the strings in place at the bridge (the part on the body of the guitar where the strings attach). There are a few ways to remove these:
* **String Winder with Pin Puller:** Some string winders have a built-in pin puller, a small notch or hook that you can use to gently pry the pins out. This is the safest and most efficient method.
* **Pliers (Use with Caution):** If you don’t have a pin puller, you can use pliers to carefully grip the head of the pin and pull it straight up. Wrap the pin with a cloth to protect it from scratches. **Be very gentle**, as excessive force can damage the bridge.
* **Push from Inside (If Possible):** Some guitars have a soundhole large enough to reach inside and push the pins out from the bottom. This is a safe method, but not always possible.
* **Remove the Strings from the Bridge:** Once the bridge pins are removed, you can pull the strings out of the bridge holes.
* **Remove the Strings from the Tuning Pegs:** At the headstock, unwind the strings completely from the tuning pegs and pull them out. Be careful, as the ends of the strings can be sharp.
* **Dispose of Old Strings Properly:** Guitar strings can be a hazard to animals and the environment. Wrap them securely before throwing them away to prevent injuries or entanglement.
**3. Prepare the New Strings**
* **Unpack Your New Strings:** Carefully open the package of new strings. Most string sets are labeled with the string number (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) or the note it’s supposed to be tuned to (E, B, G, etc.).
* **Identify the String Ends:** Each string has two ends: one with a ball end (a small metal loop) and one without. The ball end goes into the bridge.
**4. Install the New Strings**
* **Insert the String into the Bridge:** Take the thickest string (usually the 6th string, low E) and insert the ball end into the corresponding hole in the bridge. Make sure the ball end is seated firmly against the bottom of the guitar.
* **Insert the Bridge Pin:** Insert the bridge pin into the hole, on top of the string. The pin has a groove on one side; align the groove with the string to hold it securely. You should feel the pin ‘lock’ into place. Give the string a *gentle* tug to ensure the ball end is seated properly and the pin is holding the string. Sometimes the string ball gets caught on the edge of the guitar’s soundboard. If that happens, the string will slip out. If this happens, try using a small mirror and thin object like a small screwdriver to push the string ball into the correct location. Be careful not to scratch the finish.
* **Repeat for All Strings:** Repeat the process for the remaining strings, one at a time. Make sure each string is inserted into the correct hole and secured with its bridge pin.
**5. Thread the Strings Through the Tuning Pegs**
* **Determine the String Length:** Before threading the string through the tuning peg, you need to determine the correct amount of slack. Too much slack, and you’ll have too many windings on the peg, making it difficult to tune and potentially causing the string to slip. Too little slack, and the string may not wrap around the peg enough to hold its tension.
* **A good rule of thumb is to pull the string taut past the tuning peg it will connect to, then add approximately 2-3 inches of slack.** This usually results in 2-3 wraps around the tuning post.
* **Thread the String:** Insert the end of the string (the end without the ball) through the hole in the tuning peg.
* **Wind the String:** This is where technique matters. The goal is to wind the string neatly and consistently around the tuning peg, so that each successive loop is *below* the previous loop. This helps to prevent the string from slipping and improves tuning stability.
* **For the low E, A, and D strings (the thicker strings), wind the string so that it wraps *downward* around the tuning peg (towards the headstock).**
* **For the G, B, and high E strings (the thinner strings), wind the string so that it wraps *downward* around the tuning peg (towards the headstock).**
* **Start by bending the string back on itself *before* you start winding.** This will lock the string in place and help prevent slippage. Insert the string through the tuning post. Then, bring the string *underneath* itself. This creates a knot around the string that will hold it in place as you tighten.
* **Use the string winder to turn the tuning peg and wind the string.** Keep tension on the string as you wind to ensure a tight and consistent wrap. Guide the string with your fingers to make sure it’s winding correctly.
**6. Tune the Guitar**
* **Tune to Standard Tuning:** Use your tuner to tune the guitar to standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e). Start with the low E string and work your way up to the high e string.
* **Tune Slightly Sharp:** When tuning new strings, it’s helpful to tune them slightly sharp (a little higher than the correct pitch). This allows for stretching and prevents them from going flat too quickly.
**7. Stretch the Strings**
* **Stretch the Strings Manually:** Gently pull up on each string near the soundhole. This helps to stretch the string and seat it properly in the bridge and tuning peg. Don’t pull too hard, or you risk breaking the string.
* **Retune the Guitar:** After stretching the strings, the guitar will likely be out of tune. Retune it to standard tuning.
* **Repeat Stretching and Tuning:** Repeat the stretching and tuning process several times until the strings hold their tune reasonably well. New strings typically take a few days to fully settle in.
**8. Trim the Excess String Length**
* **Use Wire Cutters:** Use wire cutters to trim the excess string length at the tuning pegs. Leave about 1/2 inch of string protruding from the peg to prevent the string from slipping completely out.
* **Be Careful:** Be careful not to cut yourself or damage the guitar while trimming the strings.
* **Point the String End Downward:** Point the cut end of the string downwards towards the headstock to prevent it from poking you or others.
**9. Final Touches**
* **Wipe Down the Strings:** Use a clean cloth to wipe down the strings, removing any fingerprints or oils. This will help to prolong their life.
* **Enjoy Your Restrung Guitar:** Your guitar is now restrung and ready to play! Enjoy the bright, vibrant tone of your new strings.
## String Gauge and Tone
The gauge (thickness) of your strings has a significant impact on the tone and playability of your guitar. Here’s a quick overview:
* **Extra Light (.010-.047):** Easiest to play, produce a bright but thin tone. Ideal for beginners or players with a light touch.
* **Light (.012-.053):** A good balance of playability and tone. A popular choice for many acoustic guitarists.
* **Medium (.013-.056):** Offer a fuller, louder tone but require more finger strength. Well-suited for strumming and flatpicking.
* **Heavy (.014-.059):** Provide the most powerful tone and sustain but are the most difficult to play. Often used for dropped tunings or slide guitar.
Experiment with different gauges to find what works best for your playing style and preferences.
## String Materials
Acoustic guitar strings are typically made from bronze or phosphor bronze. Each material offers a different tonal characteristic:
* **80/20 Bronze:** A bright and crisp tone, with a strong attack. They tend to lose their brightness relatively quickly.
* **Phosphor Bronze:** A warmer and more balanced tone, with a longer lifespan than 80/20 bronze strings.
Some strings also have a coating that helps to protect them from corrosion and extend their life. Coated strings, like Elixir strings, generally last much longer than uncoated strings, but can have a slightly different feel and tone.
## Troubleshooting
* **String Keeps Slipping:** Ensure that the string is properly seated in the bridge and that the bridge pin is securely in place. Also, make sure you are winding the string correctly around the tuning peg.
* **String Breaks Easily:** Check for any sharp edges on the bridge or nut that might be causing the string to break. Make sure you are not over-tightening the string during tuning.
* **Buzzing Sound:** The string might be buzzing against a fret. This could be due to low action (the height of the strings above the frets) or uneven frets. A guitar technician can help to resolve these issues.
* **Difficulty Tuning:** Make sure you are using a reliable tuner and that the strings are properly stretched. New strings can take some time to settle in and hold their tune.
## Conclusion
Restringing your acoustic guitar is a simple yet essential skill that will keep your instrument sounding its best. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently change your strings and enjoy the fresh, vibrant tone of your guitar. Remember to experiment with different string gauges and materials to find what suits your playing style and preferences. Happy playing!