Restringing your Spanish guitar is a fundamental skill every guitarist should master. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, knowing how to properly change your strings ensures your instrument sounds its best and plays comfortably. This guide will walk you through the process of restringing a Spanish guitar, also known as a classical guitar or nylon-string guitar, with clear, easy-to-follow steps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Restringing Your Spanish Guitar
Step 1: Removing the Old Strings
Before you can put on new strings, you’ll need to remove the old ones. If your old strings are still somewhat tuned, it’s a good idea to loosen them first using the tuning pegs on the headstock. Turn the pegs until the strings are slack and easy to handle. Once loosened, you can usually unwind them by hand from the tuning pegs and un-tie them at the bridge. Carefully remove the old strings from both the headstock and the bridge, discarding them responsibly.
Step 2: Preparing Your New Strings
Open your new set of nylon strings. Classical guitar strings are typically packaged in individual envelopes, often labeled with the string number or note (1st E, 2nd B, etc.). Take out the first string you plan to install, usually the 6th string (low E).
Step 3: Attaching Strings at the Bridge
Spanish guitars use a tie-block bridge, which requires a specific knot to secure the strings. Feed the string through the bridge hole from the soundhole side. Pull a few inches of string through. Now, create a loop with the string end going back over the main string. Pass the string end around the loop and through it twice to create a secure knot. Pull it tight against the bridge. Ensure the knot is neat and will hold firmly. Repeat this process for all six strings at the bridge, following the correct string order from thickest (6th) to thinnest (1st).
Step 4: Threading Strings Through the Headstock
After securing the string at the bridge, guide the other end up to the corresponding tuning peg on the headstock. Locate the hole in the tuning peg. Thread the string through the hole.
Step 5: Winding the Strings on Tuning Pegs
Now it’s time to wind the string around the tuning peg. Pull the string through the tuning peg hole, leaving some slack to wind around the post. As a general guideline, you’ll want to wind the string neatly around the tuning peg, usually winding outwards, away from the center of the headstock. However, consider the string’s path from the nut. If winding in the opposite direction helps avoid the string making contact with the headstock wood, it might be preferable to wind inwards. Maintain some tension on the string as you wind to keep the coils tidy and prevent slippage.
Step 6: Tuning and Stretching
Once all strings are installed, tune your guitar to standard tuning (E A D G B e). Nylon strings are known for stretching considerably when new, so expect to tune frequently in the initial period. To expedite the stretching process, gently stretch each string individually by pulling upwards along its length, away from the guitar body. Don’t pull too forcefully, but a firm yet gentle stretch will help seat the strings and improve tuning stability. Retune after stretching.
Step 7: Final Tuning and Snipping Excess String
After stretching and retuning a few times, your strings should start to settle. Make final tuning adjustments. Once you’re satisfied with the tuning stability, you can trim the excess string ends at the headstock. Use wire cutters to snip off the excess, leaving a small amount of string extending beyond the tuning peg to prevent the string from slipping back through the hole, but ensure it’s not too long to poke you while playing.
Considerations When Stringing Nylon-String Guitars
Headstock Contact
As you string your Spanish guitar, pay attention to the path of the strings from the nut to the tuning pegs. Ideally, the strings should have a clear path without bending or kinking against the wood of the headstock. While generally winding outwards is common, prioritize a straight string path. If winding inwards prevents headstock contact, choose that direction. While avoiding contact is preferable, minor contact is usually not a major concern.
Tuning Stability and Stretching Nylon Strings
Nylon strings require a break-in period. New nylon strings will stretch and lose tension, causing the tuning to drop, particularly in the initial hours and days after restringing. Regular stretching, as described in step 6, is crucial to improve tuning stability. Be patient and expect to retune your Spanish guitar frequently, especially when the strings are new. Consistent tuning and playing will help the strings settle in over time, leading to more stable tuning.
By following these steps and considering these points, you can confidently restring your Spanish guitar and keep it sounding its best. Regular string changes are essential for maintaining optimal tone and playability, so make it a part of your routine guitar maintenance.
