TB-004 • How To Change Acoustic Guitar Strings

[DavyieR]

Hey there, my name's David. I have just recently begun playing acoustic guitar, I have not got a specific make, was only a cheap thing to get me started. I first stumbled across Justin's you tube blog and considered looking at his website, where I found the basic lessons on how to change guitar strings. So to the point, when I watched the lesson on how to change the strings on a acoustic guitar, it mentioned it was primarily for steel strung guitars, I happen to have a nylon classical guitar, would there be any chance an accompanying video for classical guitars?
Cheers, if you are able to help.
sincerely David.

[irishalkies]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wkunMK_piQ

Try that david.Seems pretty clear.

[DavyieR]

Thanx irishalkies, it was a helpfull video. David

[Keefy]

Hi,

I've been playing acoustic guitar for a couple of months now and I was just starting to get to grips with barre chords when I changed strings to Vinci 012 - 053 and it all got a bit more difficult.

Any recommendation on brand and gauge for a 3 month old noob?

Cheers

Keith

[flyhead]

Hi Keefy.
  It would be handy if you could say what the original strings were.

 The larger gauge will be making things doubley difficult. Firstly due to their higher required tension demanding greater strength to be pressed down. Secondly, the increased tension on the neck will increase the action, ie raise the string height relative to the fretboard.
  If I were you I'd tune down the guitar a step to reduce the tension and change back to your original gauge, unless you are completely sold on the idea of using 12's, in which case you need to get your guitar set up accordingly.
  I wouldn't go for the last option until you are a really able player and have developed strength and technique to deal with heavier strings.

[Keefy]

Hi Keefy.
  It would be handy if you could say what the original strings were.

 The larger gauge will be making things doubley difficult. Firstly due to their higher required tension demanding greater strength to be pressed down. Secondly, the increased tension on the neck will increase the action, ie raise the string height relative to the fretboard.
  If I were you I'd tune down the guitar a step to reduce the tension and change back to your original gauge, unless you are completely sold on the idea of using 12's, in which case you need to get your guitar set up accordingly.
  I wouldn't go for the last option until you are a really able player and have developed strength and technique to deal with heavier strings.

The originals where what was fitted when I bought it. So I've no idea.

I just tuned it down and it sounds much better and plays well.

Thank you.

[geistmadl]

Hi Justin,
Thank you so much for your site. My day job is adult education so I've been looking at your site from an adult education standpoint as well as a guitar student. I appreciate you site (and when my cash flow is better, I'll be sending a donation).

The first day I had my acoustic guitar (Fender, from a "kit"), I broke 2 strings. Is there any way when you're tuning that you can tell that one is going to break. I have an electronic tuner that lets you know what note it is, whether it is sharp or flat and when you're right on. I feel a little stupid for having done it, but I guess that's part of the learning curve (or maybe it's just me. ) I appreciated the detail you put into teaching how to change them out and why you did what you did and how. It helped me quite a bit.

GM

[heyjoe!!!]

one thing i didn't get in the video what's the point in cutting the string why not just unwind it then take the whole string off thats the way i have always done it i don't see the need to cut it first i guess it dosnt really matter though

[THFC_Povey]

so i was restringing my guitar but for the low e string i accidently wound the access string over rather than under the main string the 2nd time round so it looks pretty dodgy and the string angles upwards after the nut, sounds alrite but does this matter?

[zkash_guitarist]

  I've changed my acoustic guitar strings twice now, and both times my sixth string just seems to go under the fifth string. It doesn't affect the sound, but behind the nut it doesn't do the "chiming" sound. I'm using YAMAHA folk guitar strings medium gauge (can't find DR )since a local guitar tech ruined my guitar and put high action! May I ask for advice?

[bobster7]

Hi i've been playing guitar for just under 3 years no have no problem changing strings on my steel strung acoustics and classical guitar. Recently bought a nice steel strung parlour guitar with a slotted headstock.

Whilst tuning to standard pitch from open A the b string snapped  . Obviously the technique for the peg end is the same but can i just use classical restringing technique on the headstock or do the steel strings require a different approach to secure the string?

many thanks   

[brutalkid]

Hello Justin can you help me please?
I get some problems with string changing.

First, the pins on the bridge are REALLY loose, they can be pull out easily and I'm not sure if it is because I insert the strings incorrectly or if it's the problem of the pins.

Second, I always "mess up" the strings on the tuning pegs and I have to remove the string. Can I reuse the string that I "messed up"?

When I change the strings, do I need to change all the strings or only change the broken one?


I think it's really hard to find strings that sound good and have the same good quality as the original strings. I tried expensive strings but they sound bad.



Thank you for helping me!

[Cue Zephyr]

Hello brutalkid
I will try to answer some of your questions, I hope some others will be able to answer those that I can't.

2.
I messed up several strings while changing (kinked, half-coiled, etc) I just did it the correct way afterwards, pretending I didn't mess up, nothing has snapped or broken (yet).

3.
You can choose to change only the one you broke, but I think the strings snap quicker when they turn bad, so you could as well change them all, also try those things Justin said, such as running your finger nail under the string, and also if they change color they might have gone bad.

I use Elixir strings, they are quite expensive but they sound good enough for me.
I guess those that Justin recommended (DR) are great as well.

[ninjaphilly]

hi there.

Recently i picked up a cheap acoustic to practice with for £7, its nothing spectacular, but did the job. It doesn't have a brand or model anywhere on it so cant tell you what it is, but its similar to a classical guitar(short neck with cylindrical bits on the headstock) but it didn't have nylon strings, but what i guessed where really dirty steel/bronze strings. i found that the strings were far to high in gauge to play comfy on, even with my newly callous fingers.

so i went to a guitar shop and picked up some Martin steel/bronze strings(11s).

I tried putting my top E string on(thinnest) and what i find is that the string just keeps wrapping around the cylinder and no matter how far i tune it, it wont get in tune and just sounds horrid. im almost out of string to tighten so i guess whats happening is that the string is slipping.

Ive read online that some of these classical style guitars cant take metal strings as the bridge will rip out, but my one already had metal ones when i got it so im not sure if its string type.

any tips on what to do?

PS, the guy who i bought it off said its a 'Juggernaut' style guitar, but i dont know what that means and cant seem to find any reference to what it meas online. any clues?

[brutalkid]

Hello brutalkid
I will try to answer some of your questions, I hope some others will be able to answer those that I can't.

2.
I messed up several strings while changing (kinked, half-coiled, etc) I just did it the correct way afterwards, pretending I didn't mess up, nothing has snapped or broken (yet).

3.
You can choose to change only the one you broke, but I think the strings snap quicker when they turn bad, so you could as well change them all, also try those things Justin said, such as running your finger nail under the string, and also if they change color they might have gone bad.

I use Elixir strings, they are quite expensive but they sound good enough for me.
I guess those that Justin recommended (DR) are great as well.

Thanks for helping me. I actually bough a pack of DR strings and they are not very well for my guitar.