For guitar players of every stripe, from bedroom beginners to seasoned stage veterans, there’s one universal truth: guitar strings don’t last forever. Whether you’re chasing that bright, new-string shimmer or simply battling the dull thud of old, corroded ones, knowing how to restring your guitar is an essential skill. Many guitarists, even those who have been playing for years, feel a sense of apprehension when it comes to changing their own strings. Fear of damaging their instrument or simply not knowing the correct procedure can lead to unnecessary trips to a guitar tech.
This guide aims to demystify the process of restringing your guitar, offering clear, easy-to-follow advice and helpful tips gleaned from years of experience in guitar maintenance and repair. We’ll cover everything from recognizing when it’s time for a change to a simple, foolproof method for stringing any type of guitar.
Knowing When to Change Your Guitar Strings
One of the most common questions from new guitarists is, “How often should I restring my guitar?” Unfortunately, there’s no single answer that fits everyone. The lifespan of your guitar strings depends on a variety of factors, including your playing style, how frequently you play, and even your body chemistry. Some players with particularly acidic sweat may find their strings lose their zing after only a few hours of playing, while others can go for months without noticing a significant decline.
As a general guideline, there are a few key indicators that it’s time for a fresh set of strings. Visually inspect your strings for any noticeable grime or buildup, especially on the underside where they meet the fretboard. For wound strings, check for any flat spots or dents where the strings have worn against the frets. Beyond the visual cues, listen to your guitar’s tone. If it sounds dull, lifeless, or lacks sustain, new strings will likely breathe new life into your instrument. Ultimately, the best time to change your strings is a matter of personal preference. Some players love the brilliant, crisp tone of brand new strings, while others prefer the mellower, more settled sound of strings that have been played in a bit. Experiment to find your own sweet spot and learn how different string ages affect your guitar’s sound.
Avoiding Common Restringing Mistakes
Restringing a guitar might seem straightforward, but there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for, especially for beginners. One frequent mistake is accidentally dislodging and losing small, but crucial parts of your guitar. Many components, such as bridge pins, saddles, nuts, and tuner bushings (the small sleeves around the tuner posts), are often held in place only by string tension. When you remove the strings, these parts can easily fall off, and those tiny pieces can be incredibly difficult to find if they roll under furniture. To avoid this, always restring your guitar on a clean, uncluttered surface, like a table.
For archtop guitars, the bridge is particularly vulnerable as it’s always held in place solely by string tension. Before removing the strings from an archtop, carefully note the exact position of the bridge. A simple trick is to use painter’s tape to mark its location. Before applying the tape, lightly stick it to your clothing to reduce its stickiness and prevent damage to the guitar’s finish. Place a small piece of tape on either side of the bridge, and use a pencil to mark the bridge’s edge on the tape. This ensures you can reposition the bridge precisely where it needs to be during restringing, maintaining your guitar’s intonation.
Another important aspect is properly anchoring the strings at the bridge or tailpiece. Many guitarists find it convenient to secure the strings at the bridge or tailpiece first, before threading them through the tuners. When using pin-style bridges (common on acoustic guitars), ensure the ball ends of the strings are correctly seated against the bridge plate. Sometimes, ball ends can hang below the plate and rattle, causing unwanted buzzing. Insert the string and loosely place the pin. Then, gently pull the string upwards until you feel the ball end seat firmly against the underside of the guitar top, and then push the pin securely into place. If your guitar has a tailpiece (common on electric and some acoustic guitars), double-check that each string’s ball end is properly anchored before bringing the string up to tension, as they can sometimes slip out during installation.
The Foolproof Z-Bend Restringing Technique
Many traditional stringing methods involve complex techniques like tucking the string end under the first tuner wrap to prevent slippage. While effective, these methods can be tricky to master and often make removing old strings a frustrating task, frequently leaving sharp string remnants stuck in the tuner holes.
However, there’s a much simpler and equally reliable method known as the “Z-bend” technique. This approach is incredibly versatile and works flawlessly for all types of guitar strings, from light gauges to heavy bass strings, and even at high tensions. The core idea is to create opposing kinks in the string on either side of the tuner post, effectively locking it in place without any complicated knots or tucks.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to the Z-bend restringing method:
- Insert the String: Thread the string through the hole in the tuner post.
- Create Slack: Pull the string through, leaving a small amount of slack between the nut and the tuner post. A good目安 (meyasu – guideline) is enough slack to fit about four fingers between the string and the fretboard when the string is stretched.
- Make the Z-Bend: Bend the string on both sides of the tuner post simultaneously in opposing directions, forming a “Z” shape through the hole. For bass-side strings, bend both sides clockwise.
- Clip the Excess: Trim the excess string extending beyond the tuner post.
- Wind the String: Begin winding the string onto the tuner post, ensuring each new wrap goes below the previous one. This directs the string downwards towards the headstock as you wind.
With the correct amount of slack, you should end up with approximately two to three wraps around the tuner post for thicker strings and a maximum of three to five wraps for thinner strings. Too many wraps can lead to tuning instability as they can overlap and wind unevenly. Too few wraps might cause the string to slip.
The Z-bend method is not only faster than other techniques but also incredibly user-friendly. Removing old strings is a breeze; even if a string breaks at the tuner, the end simply falls out of the hole, no pliers or tools needed. Having encountered strings secured with overly complicated methods like double-threading, knots, twists, and even super glue, the simplicity and reliability of the Z-bend technique is truly a breath of fresh air. Whether you prefer to change your strings yourself or entrust it to a guitar technician, embracing this straightforward method will make the process much more enjoyable and dependable.
This article is designed to provide helpful and practical advice for guitar players looking to improve their guitar maintenance skills, ensuring their instruments are always ready to play and sound their best.
