It’s not uncommon for a guitar player to have a few sets of acoustic guitar strings from their favorite set. And while you might think that changing the strings is as easy as replacing them with new ones, there are actually many ways a guitar can sound different if not tuned correctly.
Contents
- 1 Is It Hard To Restring An Acoustic Guitar For A Beginner?
- 2 What You Will Need
- 3 How To Know If The Strings Should Be Replaced
- 4 Why Should You Change Guitar Strings?
- 5 How Often Should You Restring?
- 6 How Much Does It Cost?
- 7 How Long Does It Take To Restring?
- 8 Is The Process The Same With All Brands?
- 9 Conclusion
In this article, we break down how to change your string by first tuning the instrument using our extensive list of tips and tricks! This way you can make sure that it rings true in every major key before putting on any new ones or else you’ll need to go back again! Got a broken guitar string? Fix it!
Related reading – Can You Put Nylon Strings On A Steel String Guitar? | Guitar string names | Difference between light and medium guitar strings
Is It Hard To Restring An Acoustic Guitar For A Beginner?
No, not at all. Just takes some practice!
First off, I’d recommend following one of these videos depending on the type you have:
With Pegs
Acoustic Guitar Tailpiece Without Pegs At The Bridge
What You Will Need
While you can do it without any tools, there are a couple things that I would recommend to help speed things up a bit:
- stingwinder – I recommend this one that includes a string cutter as well for clipping off the access after they are installed.
- string cutter.
- guitar tuner – we put together a list of acoustic guitar tuners that are great for tuning up.
How To Know If The Strings Should Be Replaced
So how often should you do this? Strings should be replaced when they become old or lose their tonal quality. They will lose their tone and may begin to sound dull or dead. You can tell if a string is ready to be replaced by tuning your guitar and then pressing the string at the first fret with your finger. If it sounds clear it is probably still in good shape. Strings will lose their clarity and sustain when they are beginning to get weaker and should be changed before they break.
Why Should You Change Guitar Strings?
- Having a guitar with great tone, is key to being a successful guitar player
- Strings break down when they are stretched too far or exposed to the elements
How Often Should You Restring?
There really isn’t a correct answer here. Players have their own preferences to how long they keep their strings on before they replace them. I would recommend that you change them when the sound becomes weak or dull, or when they begin to rust. If you like the tone of your strings for quite some time, it is not necessary to change them often because strings can last for years before they need to be replaced. Personally, I find that I change them every month or so if I am playing the guitar regularly.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost to restring can vary considerably depending on the type of strings you are using. On average though, it will cost about $10 – $15 assuming you are doing it yourself.
How Long Does It Take To Restring?
Once you get the hang of it and have done it a few times, it shouldn’t take any longer than 10 or 15 minutes.
Is The Process The Same With All Brands?
Yes, it doesn’t matter if it’s a 6 or 12 string. Martin or Taylor. Fender or Seagull. Beginner, advanced or intermediate acoustic guitars. Cort or First Act. Epiphone or Yamaha. Lefty or Right handed. The basic restringing process is the same.
Conclusion
Changing strings can be a daunting task when you are just starting out. You want to find an instrument with great tone, but don’t know where to start. In this article, I give you a few pointers on how to spot the signs on when your guitar strings should be changed and go over some easy steps for restringing your instrument at home. With these easy tricks up your sleeve, you’re one step closer to getting that tone you want today!