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String your Guitar In Five Easy StepsG

How to String Your Guitar

Why re-string your guitar? After awhile strings will stretch, making the sound quality poor. Re-stringing your guitar will help make the sound clearer, in turn, making you as a guitarist sound better.

How often should I re-string my guitar? The amount varies between individuals. On average a guitarist should string his/her guitar at least once a month, or sooner if the strings start to darken -- which happens because of oxidation. Once oxidation occurs the sound quality lessens; and it is harder to tune your guitar.

How to string my guitar

Step 1: Start with the thickest string, Low E. Remember the thicker the string the more slack it will need. Thread the string through the bridge and then through the appropriate tuning peg. For the thickest string make sure that it is lying loose on the fretboard -- also called the neck -- of the guitar. Each following string will be a little less relaxed and more rigid. Note: for the thinnest string, the high E, you will want the string taut so it is not lying on the fretboard, but not too tight.

Step 2: The reasoning behind this step is to help minimize the string slowly stretching further after tuning. Once you have threaded the string through the correct tuning peg you will want to kink the string -- #1, #2, & #3 strings will kink on the left side of the tuning peg, and #4, #5, & #6 strings will kink on the right side of the tuning peg. Now bring the string under and around itself pulling firmly on the string so it is nice and tight (see illustration below). Note: You want this step to be tight, but you still want the string to be loose on the fretboard.

Step A Step B Step A Step B #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Strings Strings

Step 3: With one hand hold the string on the fretboard while slowly turning the tune peg counter-clockwise with the other hand, making sure that the string is not flipping over itself. Once the string starts to get tight on the fretboard you can let go and continue turning the peg, slowly, until the string is somewhat tight.

Step 4: You will want to repeat steps 1-3 with the other strings, remembering to decrease the amount of slack with each string.

Step 5: To make sure your guitar is in tune, you will want to pull each string 2 to 3 inches up at the 12th fret, while turning the tune peg until the string is nice and snug. Remember tuning will take some practice.