Many guitar players, even seasoned ones, might be surprised to learn they’ve been stringing their guitars incorrectly for years. It’s a common oversight, and you might be thinking, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” However, improper stringing can lead to significant damage to your acoustic guitar over time, specifically to the bridge plate. Understanding how to correctly string your guitar is crucial for its longevity and to avoid costly repairs down the line.
Why Correct Guitar Stringing Matters: Protecting Your Bridge Plate
Inside your acoustic guitar, beneath the bridge, lies a small but vital piece of wood called the bridge plate, typically made of rosewood or maple. This unassuming component plays a critical role: it’s where the ball ends of your guitar strings anchor, preventing them from ripping through the softer spruce top wood under tension.
Incorrect stringing techniques can exert undue stress on the bridge plate, leading to wear and tear. One common mistake is using bridge pins to force string ball ends into place and then pulling on the string to seat them. This action essentially turns the string windings into a saw, gradually carving grooves into the bridge plate each time you change strings. Similarly, allowing the ball end to sit perpendicular to the guitar body instead of parallel also concentrates pressure on a small area, accelerating wear.
Over time, these improper methods can wear down the bridge plate holes to the point where they become elongated or even tear. If you notice your string windings becoming increasingly visible above the bridge, nearing the saddle, it’s a telltale sign of bridge plate damage. Repairing a damaged bridge plate is an avoidable expense, often costing upwards of $100. The good news is, this damage is easily preventable by adopting the correct stringing technique from the outset.
Step-by-Step Guide to Stringing Your Acoustic Guitar Correctly
Stringing your guitar correctly is straightforward. By following these steps, you can ensure your bridge plate remains in good condition for decades.
1. Gather Your Tools and Prepare Your Guitar
Before you begin, gather everything you’ll need:
- New Guitar Strings: Choose the right gauge and type for your guitar.
- String Winder: This tool will significantly speed up the winding process.
- Wire Cutters: For trimming excess string length.
- Optional Tools: A small mirror can be helpful to inspect the ball end seating. A container to keep your bridge pins organized is also a good idea.
Prepare your guitar by laying it on a stable surface. Some players like to use a neck rest for added stability, but it’s not essential.
2. Removing the Old Strings
First, you’ll need to remove the old strings.
- Loosen the strings: Turn the tuning pegs to slacken the tension on each string.
- Remove the bridge pins: Carefully pull out the bridge pins. A string winder often has a notch to help with this. Keep the pins in order if possible, as they can sometimes be slightly different sizes.
- Remove old strings: Once the pins are out, you can remove the old strings from both the bridge and the tuning pegs.
3. Installing New Strings at the Bridge
This is where the correct technique is most crucial.
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Bending the String (Slightly): Gently bend the ball end of the new string to encourage it to sit correctly against the bridge plate. Avoid kinking the string; a slight curve is all you need.
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Inserting the Ball End Correctly: Insert the ball end of the string into the bridge hole. The key is to ensure the ball end is aligned parallel with the guitar body. Push the ball end in until it rests against the bridge plate. You should feel it seat against the plate. It should curl towards the soundhole and become less visible.
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Securing with Bridge Pin: After you’ve seated the ball end against the bridge plate, insert the bridge pin to secure the string. The pin should sit snugly, holding the string in place. Repeat this process for all six strings, one at a time.
4. Stringing at the Tuning Pegs
Now, move to the headstock to string the tuning pegs.
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Cutting to the Correct Length: To determine the correct length for cutting the string, pull the string up to its corresponding tuning peg. Hold the string at the tuner with one hand. With your other hand, pinch the string at the 3rd fret and pull it up to the 5th fret. Cut the string at the point where your fingers are holding it at the tuner. This provides enough string for a few windings around the tuning peg. Repeat this for each string, using the appropriate tuner as a guide.
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Inserting into Tuning Peg and Winding: Insert the string end into the hole in the tuning peg. Begin winding the string, using your string winder. Crucially, ensure the string winds underneath itself on the tuning peg. This creates a cleaner and more stable string winding.
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Tuning Up: Once all strings are installed, start tuning your guitar. Tune up gradually, bringing each string closer to pitch incrementally. New strings will stretch, so you’ll need to tune them frequently initially. Stretch the strings by gently pulling them away from the body of the guitar in the middle of their length, retuning as needed until they hold their pitch.
5. Final Check at the Bridge
After stringing and tuning, take a moment to inspect the strings at the bridge. You should see the ball ends neatly seated and parallel to the guitar top.
Maintaining Your Strings and Guitar
Proper stringing is just one aspect of guitar care. To extend the life of your strings and keep your guitar in top condition:
- Clean your strings regularly: Wipe down your strings after playing with a clean cloth to remove sweat and oils that can corrode them.
- Store your guitar properly: Keep your guitar in a case when not in use and maintain proper humidity levels, especially for acoustic guitars.
- Change strings regularly: Depending on how often you play, strings should be changed every few weeks to a few months to maintain optimal tone and prevent breakage.
Conclusion: String Right for Guitar Longevity
Correctly stringing your guitar is a simple yet essential skill that every guitarist should master. By adopting these techniques, you’ll safeguard your bridge plate from unnecessary wear and tear, ensuring your beloved instrument provides you with years of playing enjoyment without requiring expensive and preventable repairs. Take the time to string your guitar properly – your guitar will thank you for it!
