How to change strings on a classical guitar. How to string guitar strings, string stringing

Is it time to change the strings on your electric guitar? Well, let's figure out when they need to be changed, how to do it, what you need to understand before starting the replacement, how to rebuild the height, and which ones to choose. What tool will you need? What string fixing systems are there and what is the peculiarity of replacing on different “machines”? Let's talk about everything in order.

Signs of "tired" strings

First of all, you should understand that the strings are a consumable item that needs to be changed every 2-3 months with active play, and changed every six months if you use the guitar “by mood”. This is required, since they are “salted” or clogged with dirt, the winding coating is erased, in some cases they oxidize and rust. Accordingly, the sound at the same time also becomes less pleasant, deaf, in some cases the guitar ceases to keep the system, and begins to rattle.

Types of string holders

Before proceeding with the replacement, let's clarify which version of the bridge (string holder, typewriter) is installed on your electric guitar.

consider4 typesmounts:

• Through the body (Tight-End, Gibraltar Standard bridge, Fixed bridge);
• tremolo machine (vintage tremolo system, FAT-10 tremolo bridge);
• two-sided machine (Floyd Rose, Edge-Zero, Edge tremolo bridge);
• fixation on the deck (Stop Bar, Stop tail).

How well you change the strings on your electric guitar will determine their ability to keep in tune, and likely their lifespan.

A tool that will be useful

• Nippers to cut the strings for easier removal, and cut off excess "tails";
• a set of hexagons for detuning the neck and string height;
• a metal ruler graduated from the beginning to adjust the height of the strings if they rattle or are set too high;
• string winder. The thing is certainly not the main thing, but it will help you save time.

Before cutting the strings, be sure to loosen them! It is important! as the string may fly out and harm you. Follow safety measures, even though it seems like a trifling matter!

Withdrawal

In all types of tailpieces, we simply cut the strings at the nut (behind the first fret of the fretboard) holding it with our hand at the third fret so that they do not fly out and cause injury to you.

After that, we pull them out through special holes in the protective plastic (if you have a tremolo machine) or from the back of the case.

Floyd Rose system owners will need a hex wrench to loosen the clamps on the bridge. In some Zero Pro systems (analogous to Floyd Rose from Ibanez, such machines are often found on Cort guitars), the strings are clamped together with clamps (string tips that allow you to hold the string in the bridge, in which case you will have to unscrew the bolt holding the clip to the end). How to remove them read below.

Used strings are not applicable for reinstallation, but they can be useful in needlework or in everyday life.

Electric guitar preparation

After you have removed the strings, thread the bolt connections on the neck and body. Twist them securely, but without fanaticism. Also, carefully watch what to twist and what not. For example, you do not need to turn the height adjusters of the pickups, although they look like an ordinary bolt. You are also not recommended to turn the tremolo adjustment bolts of the machine.

The photo below shows that you can twist without harm

Lining impregnation

The next step is to soak the fretboard with lemon oil. This is required in order for the lining to serve you longer, to prevent drying out and cracking of the lining. If the neck is lacquered, you do not need to do this. Impregnation also favorably affects the sound of the guitar. Napkins soaked in lemon oil can be found in almost every musical instrument store. We recommend taking Ernie Ball napkins. There are 6 of them in one box. The cost is approximately 150 rubles or 2 USD.

After thoroughly saturating each fret of the neck, set the guitar aside for 40 minutes to allow the oil to soak in. What is not absorbed, wipe with a dry, clean cloth.

Lubrication of mechanisms and sills

Take some oil, ideally for sewing machines, but ordinary motor oil will also work. Drop by small drop, with a syringe, drip onto the saddles and onto the nut of the guitar neck. This will prevent the appearance of burrs and extend the life of the tool fittings. This is especially true for budget guitars, where all components are made of cheap materials. But do not fill with oil, this is not necessary.

Installation start

We have prepared the instrument and it's time to put the strings on your favorite electric guitar. Since the tailpieces are different, we will describe how to change them for each type separately.

Important! We wrap the strings on the pegs in the lock! In this case, they keep the system much better, not yielding to local pegs.

We tie a lock on the strings

We did not begin to paint each step, since you can easily understand how to do it from the photo and video below. But, if you still have questions, then write in the comments, we will definitely help you.

Through the body, tremolo or stop bar

On all these tailpieces, it is worth changing them in the reverse order from removal.

1. Pass through the holes;
2. Tension the first and sixth string (to prevent deformation of the neck);
3. We stretch the rest according to the scheme 2-3-5-4 (So it will be easier for you, and the neck is safer);
4. We bite off the extra length (besides the fact that it is not aesthetically beautiful, dangling strings can be dangerous for your health or the health of your loved ones.);
5. Setting up the guitar.

Movement Floyd Rose, Edge Zero, Edge Pro and other similar

Owners of an electric guitar with such a machine can be envied and sympathized at the same time. With the possibilities that a double-sided typewriter gives, there are a lot of problems how to change the strings. But that's okay! We take hexagons, wire cutters and let the replacement begin!

1. To begin with, unscrew the clamps from the nut of the neck with a hexagon, if any;
2. Next, loosen the strings and bite off, although to change them, you can simply unscrew them from the bridge;
3. Loosen the clamps on the bridge and remove the strings;
4. We bite off the clamps on the new strings, thread them into the bridge and fix the hexagon;
5. We stretch in the order 1-6-2-3-4-5, tie with locks;
6. Tune the strings on the electric guitar;
7. With the lever of the machine we make several braces, after which we adjust the electric guitar again;
8. We set the micro-tuning on the bridge to the center;
9. Tune the guitar again;
10. Lochim (twist) the threshold.

Getting the perfect sound

If you use strings of the same gauge as you used, then no additional tuning is required. But if the strings rattle or are too high, it is worth trimming the neck or tightening the springs. It also needs height adjustment.

Neck adjustment

The neck is adjustable with an anchor, access to which may vary depending on the model and manufacturer. It is mainly located in the "head" of the neck and is often hidden by a decorative cover.

The neck is adjusted by tightening or loosening the anchor clockwise or counterclockwise.

The neck is considered straight if, with the string clamped at the first and 17-19 frets (depending on the guitar), the strings lie flat and do not rattle. There is no gap at the 12th fret, but if you pull it, it will sound a little. Or you can place a metal ruler on edge and check that all the frets are evenly pressed against the edge of the ruler.

Bridge Height Adjustment

Depending on the type of bridge, the height setting will vary. Somewhere it is enough to tighten the support screws, and somewhere it is enough to raise or lower the saddles of the bridge. All this is done for a comfortable game and for adjusting the height if they rattle.

The height must not exceed 2 mm at the 12th fret (measured from the top of the fret)

Adjusting the scale

What is a mensur? This is the length of the string from nut to nut, and its center is at the 12th fret. If the center is displaced, then the accuracy of the system is lost, and if a pure “mi” should sound on the 12th fret of the first string, then with a downscale scale there may be a note “re” or “mi bimol”. Accordingly, the system floats on all other frets.

Scale adjustment is carried out by bridge saddles, which are tightened or loosened with a screwdriver or hex.

For fine tuning, you will need an electronic chromatic tuner, which will be used to adjust the scale.

1. We connect the tuner;
2. We rebuild in the standard system;
3. We clamp on the 12th fret and pull it;
4. If the tuner arrow deviates from the norm, then tighten the bolt. We look at the arrow, the indicator has improved - we turn it in the same direction, it has worsened - in the opposite direction;
5. Repeat until you get the most accurate sound.

How to rebuild the scale, see the video below

We hope that now changing the strings will be easier for you. We tried to lay out the most important ones in one record; now it will be much easier for you to change the strings on your instrument, tune it, and enjoy the wonderful sound

Complete tuning of the guitar (Warning! There is profanity! 18+)

      Publication date: April 08, 2015

Each of the novice musicians who pick up the guitar is forced to face the replacement of strings sooner or later. And, as practice shows, few of them are able to do it the way it should be. In this article, we will look at how to string the guitar strings correctly and without errors.

Currently, guitar strings are produced in two types - nylon (sometimes called synthetic) and metal. By and large, every acoustic guitar is designed to use one type of string. This is primarily due to the different tension force of the strings: "nylon" is much softer than "metal", and the design of the guitar takes this into account. You can, of course, try to string nylon strings on a western guitar, but in this case it will be difficult for the soft "nylon" to swing a hard body designed for strings made of metal. Stretching metal strings on classical guitars, originally designed for “nylon”, is simply risky, since strong tension can tear out the nut (stringer), and the neck without an anchor can lead. Never do this!

In appearance, it is very easy to distinguish guitars designed for tensioning different types of strings. Just look at the neck and the saddle. See for yourself - and everything will become clear to you. Metal strings, unlike nylon strings, are attached not to the stringer, but to the body of the guitar. Inside the body, the soundboard under the stringer is reinforced with a wooden plate to help withstand the tension of the metal strings.

How to string a metal string guitar

So how do you change the strings on a guitar? Let's consider this process step by step.

1. We loosen the pegs - we rotate them until now, until the string begins to sag freely. It is very convenient to use a special turntable for strings for this - its cost is cheap, but it helps great!

2. When the metal string is loose, simply unwind the string, freeing the peg from it.

3. We take out the plugs (pins) holding the string in the saddle. Many do it in a barbaric way - with ordinary wire cutters or pliers, after which traces of this unsightly surgical intervention remain on the corks, and sometimes on the nut. It is better to use a special tool, which is much more convenient, and the corks do not deteriorate.

4. When the cork is removed, we pull out a metal string with a ball (hammer) at the end from the hole in the saddle.

5. When the guitar is left without strings, do not forget to take care of it - wipe the dust in those places where the installed strings did not allow this, and also clean the neck and body with special products.

6. Now we stretch new metal strings. The installation order can be advised as follows: first, the 1st and 6th strings are pulled, then the 2nd and 5th, then the 3rd and 4th. This is convenient because the already installed pair of strings does not interfere with the installation of the next pair.

We pass the ball of the new string into the hole and insert the cork until it stops.

7. We pass the other end of the string into the hole of the peg and wrap the main part of the string around the axis of the peg so that the tip of the string remains under our turn.

We make the next turn with the peg, wrapping the string already under the tip of the string. Thus, when pulled, the tip of the string will be securely fixed between our two turns.

The meaning of these actions is simple - the more turns of the string will be wound around the peg, the more often the guitar will be out of tune. Our task is to minimize the coils, but at the same time there remains the possibility that under tension the string in the peg will not hold and fly out. Therefore, we make a kind of knot that will allow us not to wind a large number of turns on the peg, and at the same time reliably hold the string on the peg.

If you still wind a lot of turns on the peg, make sure that they do not overlap each other, but are located next to each other, like spirals in a spring.

Remember the direction of winding: the first three strings (thin) are wound clockwise, and the 4th, 5th and 6th strings are wound counterclockwise.

8. We stretch the string on the guitar approximately to working condition, be sure to hold the cork with your free hand. If you do not hold it, it can easily fly out when the string is pulled. Pull the string slowly and smoothly, without jerking, otherwise it may burst. When pulled tight, stop and gently release the plug. Do not under any circumstances overtighten the string! It's better to under-tighten than over-tighten!

9. Repeat this operation for all other strings.

10. We take wire cutters (or a special multifunctional tool) and carefully cut the ends of the metal strings at the pegs. Don't leave those creepy bunches of dangling strings on the headstock! It looks terrible, but that's not even the point, but the fact that the sharp ends can easily injure a nearby person.

After stringing the strings on the guitar, tune them to the tuner or tuning fork. Be prepared for the fact that until the next day the system will float a little: the strings sit in their place, stretch, come into working condition. So tune your guitar every few hours and you'll be fine!

In general, it takes about 15-20 minutes to change metal strings on a guitar. And the question “how to change the strings on a guitar” should disappear by itself.

How to string a nylon string guitar

Now we will learn how to properly stretch nylon strings. It's a little more difficult than replacing metal strings, but not so much that you can't handle it. Go!

1. Remove old nylon strings. Using a turntable or manually rotate the peg in the desired direction until you can pull the tip of the string out of the hole in the peg. Some lazy guitarists start by simply cutting the stretched strings with a pair of scissors to make things easier, but flying over the guitar, broken strings and torn pieces of gimp are potentially dangerous for you and the guitar!

2. Remove the other end of the string from the saddle, unraveling the loop knot.

3. After removing all the strings, wipe the guitar from dust - the headstock, the neck itself, the body of the guitar. With the strings installed, this is inconvenient. You can use special tools to care for the guitar.

4. Stretch new strings. We will pull the nylon strings in the same order as the metal ones: first the 1st and 6th, then the 2nd and 5th, then the 3rd and 4th. In this case, the already installed strings will not interfere with us from pulling the next ones.

Let's consider the classic installation of nylon strings on the saddle. Let's start with the sixth string. We pass it into the hole of the nut by 10-12 centimeters.

5. We make a loop - we start the tip of the string under its main part.

6. We wrap the tip around the string and wind it into a loop - we get a knot.

7. Bend the body of the nylon string to the body of the guitar. If you don't, the tip of the string may slip out of the knot.

8. Strongly pull the main body of the string and its tip in different directions so that the knot is tightened.

9. Go to the second end of the string. Pass the end of the string through the hole in the peg.

10. Bring the tip of the string up, making a half turn around the peg.

11. Wrap the tip of the string around the body of the string.

12. Rotating the peg, we stretch the nylon string. A few turns around the peg are enough - the tail of the string will be securely pressed and will not pop out. Rotation should be done to the side when the string comes to the nut from the top of the shaft.

13. Go to the first string. We pass it into the hole of the nut by 10-12 centimeters.

14. We make a loop - we start the tip of the string under its main part.

15. We wrap the tip around the string, not just once, but several times. By the way, many people do this with all strings - this is a purely personal matter.

16. Strongly pull the main body of the string and its tip in different directions so that the knot is tightened. Be sure to make sure that the tip of the string goes beyond the edge of the saddle! Otherwise, it may pop out.

17. We pull the second part of the string onto the peg in the same way as the sixth string.

18. We stretch the 5th and 4th strings in the same way as the 6th string, and the 2nd and 3rd strings in the same way as the 1st.

19. Carefully trim the ends of the nylon strings.

You can do it in twenty to thirty minutes. Unlike metal strings, nylon strings take much longer to shrink - sometimes up to a week. It can be advised to immediately pull the strings a little higher in the ranks than expected. They will still weaken. Do not forget to tighten the strings all the time during shrinkage.

Let's talk now about some subtleties. First, don't wind the turns all the way to the end of the shaft - where they can get caught in the gap between the shaft and the wood of the neck (red arrows). When pulled, the string may break! Always leave space between the last turn and the end of the shaft.

Secondly, you should avoid a large inflection of the strings in the region of the nut (highlighted by a red line):

To do this, the direction of winding the string must be certain: 1st and 6th strings - in the outer direction of the shaft, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th - in the inner direction of the shaft. In the photograph, the directions of string winding are shown by arrows. Of course, it may not be possible to put a string without a bend at all, but our task is to make it minimal:

Another piece of advice - many guitarists make an additional knot at the tip before installing smooth strings (without winding - from first to third) into the saddle. This insures that the tail does not slip out of the loop.

Some sets of strings are already sold with small knobs at the end. In this case, additional knots can be omitted - the string will no longer pop out:

Sometimes manufacturers produce nylon strings with balls (hammers) at the end - the same as for metal strings. This allows you to simply slip the string through the hole without tying a knot at the saddle. A good solution, but for some reason it has not yet received wide distribution.

Good luck with this easy task!

And so the old nylon strings on your classical guitar have served their purpose, and it's time to replace them with newer and more resonant ones. The way strings are attached to classical and acoustic guitars is fundamentally different. Therefore, when buying new strings, make sure that you bought strings specifically for classical guitar. We have already talked about the variety of strings for classical guitar in one of our articles entitled.

Attention! When tuning and changing strings, try to hold the guitar with the front deck away from you, as the total tension force of all 6 nylon strings of a classical guitar can reach up to 50 kg, and if a string breaks, it can hurt your face or eyes.

This step-by-step instruction will help you quickly and easily change the strings on your guitar.

Take off the old strings.

If during the removal of old nylon strings it becomes necessary to cut the string, then use a special tool (cutters) for this, and be sure to loosen the tension of the strings in advance. Sudden changes in string tension can damage the neck, and a broken string under tension can injure you or scratch your guitar. To tension or loosen the tension of the strings, it is convenient to use a special Stringweider revolving machine, with which it is convenient to quickly turn the tuning pegs. Removing old strings is not a difficult process in itself, and I don't think it will take you long.

Guitar care.

After you remove the old strings from the guitar, it will be necessary to wipe the dust from the body of the guitar with a soft flannel and rub the polished surfaces of the guitar with a special polish (except for the matte finish). It is recommended to clean the fretboard of the guitar with a special conditioner with lemon oil.

Attaching the strings to the bridge (bridge).

Before you start adding new strings, take a sheet of thick paper and place it behind the tailpiece. This will help avoid accidental scratches on the body of the guitar. It is most convenient to set the strings in pairs in the following sequence: 1-6 / 2-5 / 3-4.

Take the string and insert it into the hole in the tailpiece, leaving a 4-5 cm end for tying a knot. Then wrap the tail of the string around the string, as if you want to tie a knot.

Next, wrap the tail of the string around the string 2-3 times, i.e. make a double knot or pigtail as shown in the picture. Then, with one hand, grasp the tail of the string, and with the other hand, lightly gently pull the main string. The pigtail will tighten and you will get a strong and beautiful knot.

Attention! A very important point! The tip of the string must be pressed against the bridge in the area of ​​the back wall below the sharp edge of the bridge. This is shown in the figure (side view). If the tip of the string is pressed from above, then under the force of tension the knot will be untied, and the string will be bled off.

Attaching strings to pegs.

The figure shows the attachment of nylon strings to the peg mechanism of a classical guitar.

After installing all the nylon strings, the guitar is tuned using a tuning fork or digital tuner.

Adviсe:

Set the strings on the stand and tuning pegs carefully and precisely.

The tighter and neater the loops and windings are, the faster you can tune the strings to match.

Happy guitar playing!

Many are already familiar with nylon strings. And they know very well that they do not have "hammers"
(special small balls, thanks to which the strings stay on the bridge - bridge.)

For such strings, a special knot was invented that needs to be tied around the bridge.
In fact, there are several nodes, one of which I remember well. This method is a little more complicated than others, but more versatile and accurate in the end.

It's easier to show you visually with the help of the photos below. The third black string is taken exclusively for better visibility. :)

1. Insert the end of the string into the hole of the tailpiece and drag it about 10-15 centimeters (look at the photo).

2. We tie a knot at the end of the string, the closer to the edge, the better.

3. We take the knot and wrap the string with a ring, passing it under it, (as in the photo).

4. We pass the end with a knot into the resulting ring, thereby forming a loop around the bridge. You don't need to tighten it.

5. Again take the tip of the string with the knot, as if trying to wrap it around the loop a second time. (look closely at the photo)

6. We wrap it around the loop a second time to form a loop, wrapped twice around its axis. (photo explains more clearly 🙂)

7. We start the tip with a knot under the string holder (bridge) and slowly pull the free end of the string. At this point, you need to try to keep the end with the knot under the bridge. (photo to help)

The need to carry out work on replacing guitar strings arises if the extracted sound is not enough ringing. A muffled and short sound can be the first signal that new strings should be installed. The resolution of this issue may be associated with some difficulties, therefore it is recommended to get a little closer acquainted with the technology of the work.

The stringing process for classical and electric guitars can be slightly different. In both cases, it is necessary to adhere to a certain sequence of actions.

Features of replacing strings on a classical guitar

There are two ways to install strings on a classical guitar. Regardless of which one is chosen, at the initial stage it is recommended to get rid of the old material. Simply cutting off the old strings can loosen the tension on the neck. This may damage this item. Among other things, this method is traumatic. To keep the neck constantly under tension, it is recommended to change the strings one by one.

The video shows how to change the strings on an acoustic guitar:

Another important issue that will have to be resolved in this case is the correct choice of strings. It is not recommended to resort to the use of steel variations of products. They can put excessive pressure on the neck, which eventually leads to cracks and bends. All this negatively affects the sound of the instrument.

Method number 1

In this case, the strings are pulled over the edge of the saddle. Initially, the sixth string is threaded through the saddle from the inside out. After that, a loop is made and it is passed through the second half of the string.

Here it is very important to ensure that it is well pressed against the deck. Otherwise, the string will stick out, which will lead to its weakening during further operation.

At the next stage, the most durable knot is tightened, and subsequently the string can be gradually tightened for tuning. The fifth and fourth strings are set in the same way. The installation method for the first three products is somewhat different.

So, the third string is threaded through the saddle, and then it is passed through the loop three times. Such measures contribute to the fact that it is as firmly fixed as possible and will not slip off during the game. After that, the string is tightened into the most durable knot. Then the procedure is repeated with the second and first string.

Method number 2

Here the installation of the strings occurs through the edge of the neck of the neck. To resolve this issue, you need to scroll the peg until a hole appears. Then the string is threaded into it once.

At the next stage of installation, the string is inserted through the hole around the gate, after which the loose string can be pulled as in standard tuning.

Changing strings on an electric guitar

In this case, you should also initially get rid of the old strings. It is best to do this in pairs - remove the sixth string together with the first, the fifth - with the second, and so on. This will avoid possible curvature of the neck. The strings are installed in the same order.

At the initial stage of installation, the string is threaded into a holder, the design of which is determined by the features of a particular model. After that, it is threaded into the leg of the peg. In this case, the optimal length is set. To resolve this issue, the guitar should be put on your knees and adjusted. Here it is necessary to ensure that the string does not jump out of the peg.

Replacing strings on a Floyd Rose tremolo electric guitar:

The tension is carried out by rotating the peg. Here it is very important to choose the optimal number of turns. If there are too many of them, then this will have a negative effect on the response of the body. Ultimately, the sound deteriorates. Insufficient number of turns is fraught with the fact that the string may slip during operation.

Safety

It is necessary to focus on the fact that when replacing guitar strings, all safety conditions must be observed without fail. Otherwise, this procedure can lead to injury.

During the replacement, the guitar must be positioned with the top deck away from the face. The maximum tension force of the string can reach fifty kilograms, so if it breaks, you can damage your eye.

Some precautions must also be taken when removing old strings. If the material is simply cut off, it is best to loosen the tension first. If it falls too sharply, it can lead not only to damage to the neck, but also to injury.

Using a special string winder when replacing strings can significantly speed up this procedure. Moreover, this will allow you to stretch the strings as accurately as possible. If they are installed carelessly, it may damage these elements when playing.

During installation, it is necessary to place the strings on the stand and in the tuning pegs as carefully and very carefully as possible. It should also be noted here that tight loops allow you to reduce to a minimum the amount of time required to set the strings in tone.

It is important to remember that new strings will stretch for a while after installation. This is fraught with the fact that the guitar will be constantly out of tune. Subsequently, this will be less noticeable and the sound will stabilize.

In order for new strings to last for a long period of time, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the guitar nut. In particular, you should pay attention to the slots in the upper part. Provided that if the guitar string gets stuck in this hole, then this will lead to its damage, as a result of which it becomes necessary to replace this element.