Guitar strings must be changed periodically to maintain tone and playability. As you play your instrument, oils from your hand corrode the metal strings, dulling their tone and sometimes causing friction that can impede your performance. Learning to change your strings will help you keep your guitar sounding great, and will allow you to get back to playing after the occasional string breakage.
Instructions
1. Loosen the string by turning its tuning key clockwise. When the string is no longer under tension, use wire cutters to snip it in half. Remove the string halves from the tuning machine and bridge.
2. Slide the new string through the bottom of the bridge and pull it through until the balled end locks the string.
3. Thread the other end of the string through the hole in its tuning peg. Grasp the string above the twelfth fret with your middle and ring fingers of your right hand and pull it 3 to 4 inches above the fretboard, using your index finger as a measure. Bend the free section of string behind the tuning peg to mark the length.
4. Align the string with its groove in the nut and wind it taut by turning the tuning key counterclockwise. Use an electric tuner to bring it to proper pitch.
5. Stretch the string by performing several bends at various places on the fretboard and re-tune. After the string is stretched, snip off the excess string at the headstock.
