Stringing a guitar might seem like a straightforward task, but many guitarists, even seasoned players, often do it incorrectly. This seemingly minor oversight can lead to significant damage to your instrument over time, specifically affecting the bridge plate. During my time at lutherie school and through countless guitar inspections in my shop at dogwoodguitars.com, I’ve observed firsthand how improper stringing techniques can cause avoidable wear and tear. You might be thinking, “I’ve been stringing guitars for years without any issues!” and I understand that sentiment – I felt the same way until I truly understood the mechanics and potential consequences.
The crucial element in correctly stringing an acoustic guitar lies in how the ball end of the string sits against the bridge plate, a vital piece of rosewood or maple located beneath the bridge inside the guitar. This plate is designed to bear the tension of the strings, preventing them from ripping through the softer spruce top. Incorrect stringing practices can, over time, erode the bridge plate holes, leading to costly repairs that are entirely preventable.
This guide will walk you through the proper method of stringing your guitar, ensuring your instrument remains in top condition and your tone is optimized. It’s a simple process, and adopting these techniques will safeguard your guitar for years to come.
Understanding the Importance of Correct Stringing: Protecting Your Bridge Plate
The bridge plate is the unsung hero in your acoustic guitar’s structural integrity. It’s a reinforcement that distributes the immense tension of the strings across the guitar top. When you string your guitar incorrectly, you risk damaging this critical component.
One common mistake is using the bridge pins to force the string ball ends into place and then relying on string tension to seat them. This action can cause the string windings to act like a saw, carving grooves into the bridge plate each time you change strings. Similarly, allowing the ball end to sit at an angle, rather than flush against the plate, concentrates pressure on a small area, leading to wear and tear.
A telltale sign of bridge plate damage is when the string windings protrude excessively through the bridge, nearing the saddle. This indicates that the bridge plate holes have become elongated and worn, often necessitating professional repair to prevent further damage and maintain the guitar’s structural soundness and tone. Repairing a damaged bridge plate can be costly, easily reaching $100 or more. However, by following the simple steps outlined below, you can preserve your bridge plate indefinitely.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to String Your Acoustic Guitar for Longevity
Let’s dive into the practical steps to string your guitar correctly. This method focuses on ensuring the ball ends are properly seated against the bridge plate before tensioning the strings, minimizing stress and wear on your guitar.
1. Prepare Your Guitar and New Strings
Before you begin, gather your new set of guitar strings and ensure your guitar is ready for restringing. It’s a good practice to change strings one at a time, especially if you are new to this, as it prevents the bridge from falling out of place and maintains some tension on the neck. However, for this guide, we’ll assume you are changing all strings at once for clarity.
- Remove the Old Strings: If you are replacing old strings, carefully unwind them from the tuning pegs and remove them from the bridge. Consider using a string winder to speed up this process.
- Inspect Your Bridge Plate (Optional): If you are curious, you can use a small inspection mirror, like those found in auto parts stores, to peek inside the soundhole and examine your bridge plate for any signs of wear or damage.
2. Bridge Stringing Technique: Seating the Ball Ends Correctly
This is the most critical part of the process. The goal is to have the ball end of the string seated flush and parallel to the guitar top against the bridge plate before applying tension.
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Bend the String (Slightly): Take a new string and gently bend the ball end section of the string. You want a slight curve, not a sharp kink, to help position the ball end towards the soundhole when inserted.
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Insert the Ball End: Feed the ball end of the string into the bridge hole. Ensure the ball end is oriented so that it will sit parallel to the guitar body once seated. Push the ball end in until it rests against the bridge plate inside the guitar. You should feel it stop moving. When correctly inserted, the ball end should curl towards the soundhole and become less visible from the bridge top.
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Secure with Bridge Pin: While holding the ball end firmly seated against the bridge plate (you can feel it by gently pulling back on the string), insert the bridge pin to secure the string. Make sure to use the correct bridge pin for each string if they vary in size or have specific slots. It’s helpful to keep your bridge pins in order as you remove them to ensure they go back into their original holes.
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Check Seating: Before proceeding, gently tug on the string to ensure the ball end is firmly seated against the bridge plate and the bridge pin is holding it securely in place. Visually inspect that the string ball is sitting correctly and parallel within the bridge.
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Repeat for All Strings: Follow these steps for each string, one at a time.
3. Tuning Peg Stringing Technique: Ensuring Proper Length and Winding
Now that the strings are secured at the bridge, it’s time to attach them to the tuning pegs.
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Determine Correct String Length: Pull the string up towards its corresponding tuning peg. With your fretting hand, hold the string at the tuner. With your other hand, pinch the string at the 3rd fret and then move your pinching fingers to the 5th fret, allowing the string to slide through your other hand. This gives you the correct amount of slack for winding around the tuning peg. Cut the string at the point where your fretting hand is holding it at the tuner. This method ensures you have enough string to wind around the peg without excessive excess.
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Insert into Tuning Peg and Wind: Insert the cut end of the string into the hole in the tuning peg. Begin winding the tuning peg, guiding the string to wind downwards towards the headstock and underneath itself. This creates a clean and secure wrap, preventing slippage and ensuring stable tuning. Use a string winder to speed up this process and make winding easier.
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Tune to Pitch: Once the string is wound around the tuning peg, tune it up to the correct pitch using a tuner.
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Repeat for All Strings: Repeat these steps for each string.
4. Tune and Stretch Your New Strings
New strings need to be stretched to stabilize their tuning. Tune your guitar to pitch, then gently stretch each string by pulling up on it in the middle of the fretboard. You will hear the pitch drop. Retune the string and repeat this process several times until the strings hold their tuning consistently.
Maintaining Your Strings and Bridge Plate for Long-Term Guitar Health
Correct stringing is just one aspect of guitar maintenance. Regularly changing your strings, typically every 1-3 months depending on playing frequency and string type, is crucial for optimal tone and guitar health. Old strings lose their brilliance and can even corrode, potentially causing damage to your frets and bridge.
By adopting the correct stringing techniques outlined in this guide, you are taking a proactive step in protecting your guitar’s bridge plate and ensuring its longevity. This simple yet vital practice will save you from potential costly repairs and keep your guitar sounding its best for decades to come. Remember, a little care in stringing goes a long way in preserving your instrument.
Avoid This Costly Mistake:
Incorrect stringing leads to bridge plate damage like this on a 1975 Gibson Hummingbird, resulting in potentially expensive repairs. Protect your guitar by stringing it correctly from the start!
