Many guitar players, even experienced ones, might be unknowingly stringing their guitars incorrectly. This common mistake, often carried out for years, can lead to significant damage to your instrument, specifically the bridge plate. Located inside your guitar beneath the bridge, this crucial piece of rosewood or maple is designed to withstand the tension of the strings. However, improper stringing techniques can compromise its integrity, leading to avoidable and costly repairs. Learning the correct way to string your guitar, or becoming a proficient Guitar Stringer, is a simple yet vital skill that will protect your instrument for years to come.
The Hidden Danger: Bridge Plate Damage
The bridge plate is a small, often overlooked component that plays a critical role in your guitar’s structural health and sound. It’s designed to distribute the immense pressure exerted by the guitar strings, preventing the string ball ends from ripping through the softer spruce top. Incorrect stringing methods can gradually wear down the bridge plate, weakening it over time.
One of the most damaging practices is using bridge pins to force the string ball ends into position and then pulling on the string to seat them. This action turns the string winding into a miniature saw, carving grooves into the bridge plate with each string change. Similarly, allowing the ball end to sit at an angle, perpendicular to the guitar body, also concentrates pressure on a small area, causing premature wear and tear.
Visible signs of bridge plate damage include string windings protruding excessively through the bridge, sometimes even reaching the saddle. This indicates that the holes in the bridge plate have become elongated and worn, necessitating professional repair to prevent further damage and maintain the guitar’s structural integrity. Repairing a damaged bridge plate can be an expensive undertaking, often costing upwards of $100, a cost entirely avoidable with proper stringing technique.
Mastering the Correct Stringing Technique
The key to correct guitar stringing and becoming a skilled guitar stringer lies in ensuring the ball ends of the strings are aligned parallel to the guitar body and firmly seated against the bridge plate before applying tension. This proper seating distributes the string pressure evenly and minimizes stress on the bridge plate. The following steps and visual guide will help you master this essential guitar maintenance skill:
Step-by-Step Guide to Stringing Your Guitar Like a Pro
-
Preparation is Key: Gather your new strings, a string winder (optional but highly recommended), and possibly a pair of string cutters if your new strings are excessively long. Having a small mirror and a pin holder, as shown below, can also be helpful to keep things organized, especially if you are changing strings frequently.
-
Bending the String (Optional but Recommended): Gently bending the ball end of the string slightly, as shown in the image below, can aid in positioning it correctly within the bridge hole. Avoid kinking the string; a subtle curve is all you need.
-
Inserting the String Correctly at the Bridge: Insert the ball end of the string into the bridge hole, ensuring it goes in straight and parallel to the guitar body. Push it in until it rests against the bridge plate. When correctly inserted, the ball end will curl towards the soundhole and become partially hidden from view, as depicted below. Hold the ball end firmly against the bridge plate with one hand and then insert the bridge pin with the other to secure it. Maintain the order of your bridge pins to ensure they go back into their original holes.
-
Determining the Correct String Length: For efficient winding on the tuning peg, pre-cutting the string to the appropriate length is beneficial. A simple method is illustrated below: Pull the string up to its corresponding tuner and hold it. Pinch the string at the 3rd fret, then move your pinching fingers to the 5th fret, allowing some slack to slide through your fingers. Cut the string at the point where your fingers are now positioned (around the 5th fret). This provides the ideal length for winding. Repeat this for each string, using the correct tuner for length reference each time.
-
Winding the String on the Tuning Peg: Insert the cut end of the string into the hole in the tuning peg. Using a string winder, or manually, turn the tuning peg to wind the string. Ensure the string winds neatly downwards, underneath itself on the tuning peg, as shown in the following image. This creates a clean and secure winding.
-
Final Check at the Bridge: After inserting each string at the bridge and before bringing it up to full tension, visually inspect the ball end. Confirm it is seated parallel to the guitar body and firmly against the bridge plate. The image below shows a bridge plate with three correctly installed strings. This check is crucial to prevent damage.
-
Tune and Stretch: Once all strings are installed, tune your guitar to pitch and stretch the strings properly to enhance tuning stability and longevity.
Prevent Costly Repairs: String Your Guitar Correctly
Incorrect guitar stringing is a prevalent issue that can lead to significant damage to your guitar’s bridge plate, as exemplified in the image below of a damaged bridge plate from a 1975 Gibson Hummingbird. Notice the wear and tear around the string holes. Practicing the correct stringing technique from the start will safeguard your instrument and ensure its longevity. By becoming a conscientious guitar stringer, you protect your investment and maintain the optimal sound and structural integrity of your beloved guitar for decades to come, avoiding unnecessary and expensive repairs.
