How to Restring an Electric Guitar… Correctly!

It’s a common problem, especially among novice guitar players. Either they sloppily string up their guitar – leading to tuning issues, an ugly mess of a headstock and other problems – or they pay good money to have somebody else do it for them. Both scenarios are easily avoided, so long as somebody shows you how to change your strings properly from the get-go. So this week, let’s explore the right way to restring an electric guitar. (NOTE: This method also applies to steel-string acoustic guitars.)

The method I use came out of a book I bought for $8 at a used book store. I highly recommend this book, The Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine, for the treasure trove of information in it. This book covers everything from restringing and cleaning to fret work, and repainting. It’s an indispensable resource for the serious guitar player.

Benefits

There are many benefits to properly stringing your axe. Follow this method and your strings will last longer and stay in tune better. Your guitar will also always look tidy and neat – no ugly shrub of floppy metal bobbing around on the headstock. This will also instantly make you look more professional.

This method, or an approximation of it, is the one the pro uses when you pay him for a restring. So in addition to the benefits listed above, you will save money. Even more so if you practice daily and gig often (which you should be doing). Under heavy use, I recommend changing your strings at least once a month, if not a little more often.

The Tools

You don’t really need any tools to get the job done, but the process is much faster and easier if you have them. You will need:

• a string winder
• wirecutters
• allen wrench set (for guitars with locking nuts)

It would be beneficial to spend a little on a guitar maintenance kit or a multi-tool. A decent kit will come with each of these items as well as several others used in all aspects of basic guitar maintenance from restringing to full set-ups. They’re generally not too expensive either, ranging from about $20 to $50.

The Method

First, remove your old strings (duh). Some recommend replacing them one at a time to keep tension on the neck during the process, but I find that unnecessary. It also makes it more difficult to clean and condition your fretboard. The quickest way is to loosen the strings with the string winder and snip them over the pickups with your wirecutters. USE CAUTION IF CUTTING STRINGS UNDER TENSION – THEY WILL SNAP AND COULD HIT YOU IN THE EYES! Remember to remove your tuning locks first if your guitar is equipped with them.

Next, we are going to put the new strings on one at a time, starting with the 6^th string – the low E. Note that this method utilizes two techniques for wrapping strings around the tuning pegs; one for wound strings (usually 6 – 4, sometimes including 3 depending on the gauge), and one for plain strings (generally 3 – 1).

For Wound Strings

Set the tuning pegs so the hole is in line with the neck of the guitar. Thread the string through the bridge and pull it up to the appropriate tuning peg. Pull it straight through the hole on the peg, leave a modest amount of slack – you really don’t need much – and begin winding. Ensure the string spools out on the inside (for 3×3 peg configurations) or on the bottom (for 6 in-line peg configurations).

Here’s the trick for wound strings: on the first wind, make sure the string wraps above the peg hole. Afterwards, each wind around should be below the peg hole. You should only have to wrap the string around a handful of times before it reaches an ideal tension. Don’t bother tightening the string to pitch yet, just tighten it enough to keep it securely on the saddle.

For Plain Strings

These are a little trickier, but it’s worth it. You will effectively be locking the string down with itself.

Thread the string through the peg hole as before, leaving a modest amount of slack. Take note of the direction you will be winding the string so you don’t accidentally lock it down backwards.

Take the excess string on the far side of the peg hole and pull it around the peg in the OPPOSITE direction that the peg will be turning. Bend the excess string at the far end of the peg hole, creating a kink at the peg, thread the string beneath itself at the near end of the peg hole, and pull it upward and over, creating a second kink as the string essentially bites itself. Hold the string in place, and wind the string around the peg normally.

The “bite” you created will make the string, under tension, hold itself taut at the peg. The first wind will bind the string to the peg, creating a lock. This lock will make the string hold its pitch more effectively for a longer period of time. Take care with these strings, as this process is easy to mess up, as it is confusing and a little bit counter-intuitive.

Once all of your new strings are on your guitar, clip the excess with your wirecutters at the tuning peg for a tidy, professional finish.

Stretching the Strings

DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! This is important if you want your guitar to stay in tune! Remember when I told you not to tighten your strings to pitch yet? This is why. What we are doing at this point is manually stretching the strings before they stretch themselves due to the tension of being held at pitch on the guitar.

Again, we move one string at a time. Start with the low E. Using a tuner, bring the string up to pitch. Next, firmly pull the string away from the guitar at the 12^th fret. Don’t yank it like you’re starting a mower here, just give it a nice few pulls.

Pluck the string again and you’ll see it fell way out of tune. Tune it back up to pitch and repeat the process. I will also pull up with my pointer finger as I push down with my thumb up and down the string to stretch it evenly across. Tune it back to pitch and repeat.

Continue this process until the string starts to hold its pitch, then repeat the entire process for the next string up until you hit all six strings. Then, go back to the low E, stretch it a little more and make sure it stays in tune. Work your way up the strings one more time.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you just did a professional restring on your own guitar. The process should only take about twenty minutes or so once you get the hang of it, and it’s something you should do every time you swap out your strings to ensure you can trust your guitar come the big gig.

-Chris Lazaga