How to Change Your Guitar Strings in 7 Easy Steps

Think changing your own guitar strings is a daunting task? Think again! It's not hard, it just takes a little patience. In this episode, Marlene breaks it down into 7 simple steps that anyone can easily follow, yes, even if you've never done it before. So grab your guitar, a new set of strings and let's do this together!

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
I'm Marlene Hutchinson and welcome to Tips for Guitar Plane Success.

(00:09):
As many of you know, I've been sharing my guitar plane tips every Thursday for more than
10 years.
It's been my way to hopefully help you stay motivated, be inspired, and continue expanding
your guitar plane journey.
If you're interested in more learning resources, go to my website, marlene'smusic.com.

(00:33):
And for anyone who's listening and feeling like you're missing out on all the guitar plane
fun, you can easily get started with my super simple, learn to play guitar in a day course.
Now on to today's tip.
This podcast is brought to you in part by Gator.

(00:57):
Whether you just need a bag to gig with on the weekends, or a frequent flyer needing
a flight-friendly TSA series case, or a dedicated road warrior bringing your instruments on tour.
Gator has a solution for you.
For the stuff you love, guard it with Gator.

(01:18):
Today's tip is how to change your guitar strings in 7 easy steps.
Think changing your guitar strings is a daunting task?
Think again.
In today's episode, I'm breaking it down into 7 simple steps that anyone can follow.
Yes, even if you've never done it before.

(01:42):
It's not hard, it just takes a little patience.
So grab your guitar, your new set of strings, and let's do this together.
By the end of this episode, your guitar will be sounding fresh, and you'll feel like a
total pro.
As always, a big shout out this week and thank you to our fellow guitarists joining us from

(02:06):
France, Pakistan, South Korea, and Somalia.
By the way, if you listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, or
if you're watching on YouTube, please do me a favor and hit the subscribe button right
now so you can be the first to know about the newest episodes.

(02:29):
And do your guitar playing buddies a favor and share this episode?
This episode picks up where last week's cleaning and polishing episode left off.
So if you haven't yet listened to last week's episode, hit the pause button and jump back
to that episode so you can learn how to thoroughly clean and polish your guitar before you change

(02:51):
your strings.
Once you've done that, you're ready to put new strings on your guitar.
By the way, today I'm describing how to change the strings on a steel string acoustic guitar.
I'll focus on changing nylon strings in a future episode.
As far as supplies, you'll need the following.

(03:14):
A new set of steel strings, wire cutters, and a tuner.
A keywinder is also helpful, especially when it comes to the winding part of changing out
your strings.
By the way, if you were listening and would like to watch me as I demonstrate these steps,
let's go to this episode on YouTube.

(03:34):
The link is of course below in the show description.
Step 1.
Place your stringless guitar on a hard flat surface.
Lay out your supplies.
You might also want to put on some music or a movie.
The first time I changed my own strings, it took me an hour.

(03:57):
But the good news is, it gets easier.
I can now change the strings on three guitars in one episode of Wheel of Fortune.
By the way, the Guinness World Record for Changing Guitar Strings is 31.5 guitars in one hour
by Australian Glen Hayworth.
I put the link for that in the show notes if you want to watch him do that.

(04:21):
Step 2.
Now you're ready to attach the strings at the bridge.
I like to place all six strings in their positions before I place them on the headstock.
To do this, start by opening the string package and notice how the manufacturer has labeled
them.
In the set I'm using today, they have each string in a separate envelope.

(04:47):
You might also find string manufacturers have labeled the strings by the color-coded
ball at the end of the string.
So just notice that so you're familiar with which string is which.
I like to start with string six.
Place the string in the appropriate hole, then place the pin in with the groove facing

(05:09):
the string.
Push in the pin while tugging on the string.
This ensures that the string is snugly in place.
Do the same thing for the remaining five strings in order.
Step 3.
First we'll attach the strings on the headstock beginning with string six.

(05:30):
Take that string in your fingers and bring it up to the machine head which is the metal
part that sticks up from the headstock.
Now continue stretching the string about one and a half times beyond that machine head
and bend the string at that point.
Now go to the machine head for string six and thread the string through the hole from

(05:53):
the inside of the headstock.
The bend is the stopping point.
Turn the excess string upwards to keep it from scratching the guitar.
Step 4.
Winding.
You're ready to start winding the string onto the machine head.
Now this is the part that can take awhile so a handy gadget like a keywinder can make

(06:18):
your life so much easier.
The winding should start just below the hole and wrap one on top of the other leading
down toward the bottom.
As the string is getting a little more taut, guide it into the nut groove.
Once it feels fairly tight, you can trim off the excess.

(06:40):
Step 5.
Do the same thing for the other five strings.
And when you are on the unwellened strings, usually strings one and two, wind those strings
one time above the hole and then the rest of it below the hole toward the bottom like
the others.

(07:01):
Step 6.
Once all six strings are in place and the excess is removed, you're now ready to tune
those new strings.
As you're tuning your new strings, you're probably noticing that there's a bit more
winding that needs to be done, that's because the strings are still stretching.
And step 7.

(07:22):
Recheck the tuning on all six strings and if everything's good, your guitar is now ready
to be played.
Do keep in mind the strings might need a little retune as the strings continue to stretch.
Now you're ready to enjoy the dazzling and beautiful new sound of your guitar with the
fresh set of strings.

(07:45):
And don't forget, with any good guitar relationship, there are strings attached.
I hope this episode's tip has helped you to continue expanding your guitar playing skills
and knowledge.
If you'd like to learn more, please check out the many learning resources available at

(08:07):
marlenesmusic.com.
Thank you for joining today's podcast and as I like to say, play on.
(music)
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