Restringing an Acoustic Guitar

[WastingElectricity]

I just restrung my guitar and i did the shittiest job known to man :(

[ToWatchMusic]

@maddiapples then u have a classic guitar not steel string guitar

[uenragedbro]

I started vegging out and drooling.. then I woke up when I realized I had spent 2 hrs staring at a blank screen..

[koifnen]

Hi!

Can I take all the strings out all at once? (So i can clean my fretboard).

I heard it might do damage?

Any advice appreciated!

[TheMADG17]

@koifnen In some cases if all the strings are off at once, it could damage how straight the neck is. Being silly, I left strings off mine for a week and when I restrung it, they wouldn't stop vibrating because of the neck. I guess you could keep one or two of them on, probably the E and A strings. They're pretty heavy duty, they can take a good wipe.

[IPlayTehGtar]

@koifnen Thats fine just make sure you restring it right after your done

[jamescalebstewart]

@koifnen You can indeed! But, it's a good idea to distribute the pressure as you put them back on, so I recommend that you put the strings on in this order E then E, B then A, G then D. This keeps the pressure even across the neck as you restring.

[RedWingBlackBirds]

How come you can just pop in the button (that holds the string in place) and it works?? I'm trying to restring my mom's guitar and...it won't go in, or if it does it pops right back out again. I've only been able to restring the low E right now...any suggestions??

[nelsyoo]

That's how I re_string my guitar... Realy works and the guitar stays in tune for much longer time..

[xxxblucoxxx]

hey would the strings break if I changed the tuning all the time? , Let's say jumping back and forth between standard E tuning and A#drop tuning ? A#Drop is quite low , abt 2 whole steps plus 1 more whole step with the last string (E-string). plz reply my comment XD .

[FinallyFlanders]

what if i don't have one of those fancy little tools to get the bridge pins out....

[dirtyminded604]

@FinallyFlanders i use a dime or a quarter.

[FinallyFlanders]

@dirtyminded604 holy shit. it worked. thank you.

[VlogFuture]

@FinallyFlanders you can just use a set of pliers and gently pull it out. don't clamp it down too hard. The pin comes out really easily.

[DEATHBYGUMMYWORMZ]

this didnt help me at all cuz i couldnt really see what you were doing...

[MsKowlessar]

sweeet!!! that was a great lesson.

[buchanan1985]

thanks

[telecasterman18]

Wow thanks. I've have that tool for over 5 years and never knew it had a kingpin tool on there. Hahaha.

[Darthbrandon]

How long does it take a High E to stretch out? I just restrung it. (That one always breaks for me) Just wondering...

[StrummerBoy8T9]

@Charliepossenriede

"That's What She Said" :)

[jausher]

you should put the part about the slack so u can wrap 2-3 times at the beginning!!

I'll go buy more strings now!

[ToonyInc]

Got an acoustic guitar 2 years ago for christmas but nvr really played it. Decided i wanted to learn it. Pulled out the guitar, picked up the pick, strummed, and broke the string on the first strum. FML!!

[Sinlexs]

I used plyers to get my pegs out... Not a smart idea :D

[hazuinf]

@Sinlexs So do I. Why wasn't it a good idea?

[charliepossenriede]

does anyone else get kind of uncomfortable when you tighten the strings because so much tension builds up? lol

[hazuinf]

@charliepossenriede

I know what you mean. It's a sense of growing dread that the string will break at any moment. I hate it

[mkuznetsov1fb]

Thanks, this was very useful!



[syyyyyke]

You can push the strings inward so you can pull the pegs out with ease.

[vaguerplane]

tried doing the clamp thing on a string, snapped

[itzELZIE]

THANKYOU!!! :) so much help

[maddiapples]

Heh. Looks like my guitar is too old to have a 'slot' where the bridge pin thing is.

In fact, it doesn't have a pin.

What.

[justme8722]

@maddiapples same here.



[glennswindler24]

obviously

[mysticblade100]

When i put the E string in your position, i try to get the loose string to wrap around but it just tightens the actully string

[XxMatt1313xX]

Ok everything seems pretty good here but when I do your trick, where you take the string wrap it under then pull over...by the time i start to wind the string that string wont stay in place how do i keep it in the "lock" position or whatever it is you called it?

[xXKushmanXx]

Could I do this way with an electric guitar?

[minus30outside]

@Leonaloverxx Ouch, were there any blood? O_o I've broken my string while I was playing. I know, I know, I have to be little bit more gentle with a guitar while playing, but whatever. xDD

[LilyWhiteRiot]

That is one fit headstock

[swiftfan4life]

Crap!! I just snapped my B string..it wasnt rapping around it was just tighting it...what was I doing wrong?!

[mysticblade100]

@swiftfan4life lol ive snapped my B string while winding on my tuner B looks like D lol

[mrsbieber4ever123]

i was tuning my guitar and the G string snapped and then i was restringing it again and the string snapped again! this might take a while to get used to(;

[mrsbieber4ever123]

Thanks so much for making that video... it helped me a lot(:

[Leonaloverxx]

I just snapped my G string -.-

[minus30outside]

@Leonaloverxx So did I!

[Leonaloverxx]

@minus30outside HAHA. Mine really hurt it hit me in the face :L

[flyawayhome3]

man it does not take 8 minutes.

[Ophelialife]

okay so I have a problem I got this guitar like legit from the trsh cause I dont have money to buy a new one... and well it's way off... It only has 4 strings and I know nothing about guitars but I want to learn and I cant find any videos on how to work it.... help?! I only know about violins >____<

[93aceboydean]

i can restring my guitar but it wont stay properly tunned >:(

[guitargrrl100]

@93aceboydean hm, maybe you didn't get good strings?

[MattisseWH]

My first string snapped after barely one full turn. It's D'Addario, .009 inches (0.23mm). Would this have happened due to faulty strings?

[etdizzle]

After you use the string as a self clamp by going under then over, how do you get it to wrap so tightly? Every time I use that trick, it never clamps all the way down, even as I am turning it. I'm at my wit's end.

[islandstyle680]

where did you get your guitar string turner? and also i'd like to know where i can find the pins? thank you

[farahnasution79]

as i'm watching this video, my friend is restringing his guitar, and he took out the pins using just used a dessert fork.

[TehCwest]

Can you do that string trick with the low E string?

[jasjemmagirl]

First 15 seconds, and I see a taylor guitar. I'm thinking "I like this already :D"

[76laguna1]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful yet I think I will still take my guitar to the shop. It is a Takamine g240rs and tunning it lately has been a real pain.

[bubblyybubby]

One day, just tuning my guitar and BAM... string snapped and stab my arm...

First thought... : I'm screwed... haha until here :)

What kind of strings do you recommend that'll last me for a long time with good quality? I'm thinking about Elixir...

[miran123dabare]

@bubblyybubby Pyramid,Fender,etc thoses r gud..

[PeetaPettigrew]

What if I don't have that tool, how do I get my pin out?

[ralph4eva]

@PeetaPettigrew

search for it on dealextreme, they have it for US$ 2.40 plus free shipping, or try to get it out with plyers, which I don`t recommend

[Redeyetoold]

@PeetaPettigrew I use my fingers as i write. And it sucks, I suggest you get that tool if you can

[Cathydoescovers]

haha! i've bee playing for years and this is the first tume ive changed a string on my own.. really helpful, thanks :)

[1994cg]

my e pin keeps popping out, what do i do? ive done it like 1000 time but cant get it to stay :(

[desolate2]

This was AWESOME! This was my 1st time restringing & it came out great

[AcousticFlow14]

Dangit I broke the tip of the pin! Will it still work if I put the tip I'n? Is that a good idea?

[BlakOktobure]

@AcousticFlow14 Do NOT do that.. Just go buy new pins, if one broke. Most likely the rest are close to breaking as well.

[okamasphere]

You didn't mention this so I thought I would. Before you put a new string into the bridge, its a good idea to crimp the end so it catches on the pin. This prevents the part you said was "tricky" and will keep the pin from popping out. You should know this considering you own a Taylor.. :/

[yotefwd]

Been playing about 30 yrs. U showed me a couple neat tricks thanks

[cahatridge]

@afamee - AMEN!! And these Elixir's aren't cheap!

[andylora]

So, do you always wind clockwise?

[iVideosongs]

@andylora Yes

[shaboobal1]

no you dont

[101camdaman]

thanks, really helpful :)

[ConPassioneDolce]

Thanks for this video. I'm still learning (just picked up the guitar a couple days ago) and I was nervous to restring my guitar not knowing what I'm doing, but this video made it pretty darn easy. Of all the different ways I could have messed it up...none of them occurred. Thanks for the help!

[nanaimogirl2000]

uhhhh i think ill wait until my guitar teacher teaches me how to re string my guitar

[jasonx1011]

ah i gotta get some new strings after the g string broke on my new Tanglewood for like no reason i swear i was de tuning it to open D n its snapped

i jus hope i dont screw it up when i change the string i'd look pretty fuckin stupid if i have to go into the store more than once coz i keep breaking the god damn string

[09jpick]

you left out he part about leaving slack so you have room to wind 2-3 times.

[arcaneminded]

@09jpick 3:04

[iVideosongs]

@09jpick Slack is good and there is some craft to having neither too much nor too little. Too much, and you'll wind forever and it will roll over and over on itself, which can invite more slippage in your tuning. For most string types, you need very little slack to get it to wind as you say, 2 or 3 times. Thank you!

[vaguerplane]

@iVideosongs i should have left slack cos now i have to buy newer strings

[94yotaman]

truth is that you don't need winds around the post to hold it. as long as you do it exactly how he is, it will never slip, unless you're an idiot. the most winds i have is 1, no more, never had a string slip, ever. and as far as strings go, never ever use a coated string or elixirs. so stick with either martin sp's or d'addario's, and put 'em on the right way, and you'll be good!

[94yotaman]

truth is that you don't need winds around the post to hold it. as long as you do it exactly how he is, it will never slip, unless you're an idiot. the most winds i have is 1, no more, never had a string slip, ever. and as far as strings go, never ever use a coated string or elixirs. so stick with either martin sp's or d'addario's, and put 'em on the right way, and you'll be good!

[teoulennon]

@94yotaman why shouldn't you use coated strings or elixir's?

[94yotaman]

@teoulennon because coating a guitar string deadens the sound that the string would have been able to produce. 2 upsides to coating are the ability to "play/slide" faster and the tone stays the same longer, however, being a good guitar player isn't about playing 'faster', it's about playing 'better'. there's a huge difference. i'd rather pay $7 for some martin sp mediums or some d'addario ej17's and get the most sound out of the guitar for 3-5 months, then change strings.

[94yotaman]

@teoulennon since guitar strings are very easy to change, and spending $14-$21 over the course of a year for a great sound, it doesnt make sense to pay $10-$15/pack of elixirs or coated strings just because you can "play faster". of course that's just my opinion. and i play a martin dm that's had the action lowered and the nut and bridge changed over to bone, and it was incredible what difference that made. as far as guitar strings go, you don't have to pay a lot to get a lot.

[Daver869]

for those who followed this video and broke a string or two. Here's a tip from personal experience: IT IS BEST that you have your guitar laying down on a flat surface when you're chaging strings rather then holding it like the guy in the video does. It makes the string changing process a lot smoother! As for those who broke their string, I'm not sure how that happened, the most common way of a new string breaking is either tuning it to high or not having enough wraps around it. Hope this helps,

[1KOOLRIFF]

I'm seriously about to punch my guitar, my bridge pin keeps coming out.

[insaneinthebrain1978]

@1KOOLRIFF dont punch it...it wont help!

keep the pin in place with your fingertip while your tune the string up to pitch.

that should work fine.

if not....

punch it !!!

[iVideosongs]

@1KOOLRIFF Try switching it with another pin next time, or get new ones. The diameter is probably just too small for that one hole.

[Noonalika]

@iVideosongs THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!

[Cristasphoto]

@iVideosongs I placed a piece of Plastic Bag under one of my pin:s it works just fine for now...

[slappy911]

@1KOOLRIFF yea mine too!!

[darkdragon908]

@1KOOLRIFF go back in time 8 months, and pull the string while pushing the bridge pin down

[Ryoshien]

@1KOOLRIFF Mine too>_<

[CoolSliminns]

@smio2 literally the exact same happened to me just now, fecking g strings

[smio2]

just snapped the g string again on my new set and i barely even tightened it! piss take

[psychokillerbiki]

thx It helped alot

[bornguilty6969]

I've done all those steps 5-8 times, EVERYTIME a String broke!

I have spent like $25-40 on SHITTY D'Adarrio strings or Earnie ball!

WTF!

[insaneinthebrain1978]

@bornguilty6969 dont blame the strings dude !

i m using ddarrios for years now and they never broke when i put em on.

where do they break exactly?

near the bridge or the nut?or in beetween....if you breaking strings that often than youve got a problem with your guitar or your stringing technique...i can post a video on restringing to help you out?!

all the best...max

[BDP20PBC]

@1uzi98suicide5 good call

[BigCrusher96]

Your using Martins strings right? cuz they are the same (the 0.12 and 0.38 in one package)

[ledzepphead1]

taylor! 

[guptsur12]

Thanx mate,

Just restrung my E-string for the first time .. I am gitar rookie..

Thanx .. it worked out well.. Cheers.

[MrMexiricanboy]

wow your guitar looks relatively new and great video btw

[itztyte]

ive been doing this ever since my string broke and after i finish restringing it i pull on the string a bit to help stretch it out it helps a lot but after a couple of days you might have to re-tune it again...great video

[MatauOfShadows]

Oh my god, this is so hard.

[JoeSingsBadly]

I've been playing guitar for around 4 years and still hate restringing. I'm desperately trying to find a way that doesn't risk taking my eye out when tuning up.

[TylerSamuelWilkinson]

@JoeSingsBadly Saftey Glasses? haha :)

[swaahhnnie]

@JoeSingsBadly @JoeSingsBadly when i restring my guitar, i place a clean cloth on top of the strings while i tune the new string, so if it snaps it won't hit my eyes. This is a tip from a lead guitarist friend of mine. It works on me. Just be patient. You may try it.

[Daver869]

@JoeSingsBadly watch a lot of different string changing videos and pick your favorite

[daveh182]

hi when actually restringing is it worth leaving time for the strings to stretch out a little before actually tuning or will the strings be durable enough to just go right from the time you put them on all the way through to tuning?

[OGbarious]

thank you much man. New time guitarist and that was very informative thnx =)

[ak137lg]

at 5:10 do we have to clip off some of the string or can we just keep winding?

[insaneinthebrain1978]

@ak137lg keep on winding and cut it off when finished.

greez...max

[SyaoranXiaoLi]

i can't remove my peg unfortunately....any advice?

[insaneinthebrain1978]

@SyaoranXiaoLi just take a pair of pliers,grab the little head of the peg and pull it out gently while twisting very slightly left and right.

get it?

but be careful!

most of the pegs are made out of cheap,weak plastic.if you are to rude your going to behead that little sucker! hope that helps...all the best...max

[LetET2010]

watch?v=dJzxjsZewN4

[aleksgavri]

thanks

[havock202]

thank you so much for this.

[cocastar26]

thx gottA get myselft a multi-tool like that to cut and wind my strings. then i have no excuse for not practicing! ^^'

[WiiForever302]

thanks so much for uploadin, i put away my acoustic guitar for 4 years.... i got it back up, and the strings were smelly(u know the metal rust) so i bought new ones and followed ur instructions lol

[ItsRainingDonkeys]

my friend has a headstock of a classical but the default strings are steel. he asked me to help restring his guitar but im so confused :s

[TheSchoolsux345]

does that pictrick work with 4 5 and 6th string?

[Angultra]

Just changed my strings for the first time, tutorial was very clear and seemed to work well. The pins were a bit hard to remove (first one broke). Then I used some wide nose pliers to gently ease them out, which worked well.

It was hard to gauge how much slack to leave on the the strings before wrapping, but after a couple times I'm sure I'll get it right. It was also awkward to handle the guitar so I might invest in a neck support or something to prevent it from tipping. Thanks!

[blahdofj]

thanks for showing the pick trick!

[reedsy69]

great lesson

[shumi182]

very detailed  vid i can finally restring my guitar with out messing up

[LatinoXandY]

Wow, Thanks Man!

God Bless!

[jsdptenis]

Allllllrrrighhttt lets try it out now...! lol

Hope it goes well.

Thanks for the vid!

[Giant421]

Is there a website where i can buy the tuner/ whatever it is?

[Schnappichompchomp]

I don't believe this =o I did exactly what he said and the strings broke. Now I have to go buy another set @.@

[destroyer36118]

@Schnappichompchomp yup same...my string broke twice from this vid....and the set I bought only came with two for each string...so I'm fucked....

[bushpilot223]

Thanks for this,

will need it tomorrow when my new strings come

[lacymuffinking]

the ironic thing is that on my acoustic guitar yesterday I broke the D string, and a little while ago on my electric the high E... so this vid is reading my mind cause I still need to restring them. now i have no excuse to be lazy ;p

[Martinjaderberg6]

thanks for the tip with the pick :D

[brigbrez05]

I really liked this video. I want to buy a guitar and I would have to restring to make it a lefty. I definitely think this will help me. Thanks!!

[Swdea93]

or you buy a left handed guitar?

[drifter9514]

i got a epiphone acoustic guitar and i dont know what kind of strings i should use to get the best sound out of my guitar. if anyone can tell me what strings i could use plz tell me

[animeNARBLE]

Well i would think that gibson strings would be a good cgooise, but in my local store there isnt, so i buy d adarion an the quality is awesome, and gives a real acoustic tones(i bouht lite gages). wish it helped .

[junaids23]

when i tune my strings down, they break ..why does that happen? =(

[Wolin13]

u must me turning them to much,always use a tuner when changing strings

[junaids23]

no, what i meant was, if, for example, im changing a string and im taking one off, when i try to loosen it, it breaks instead of becoming loose enuf to come off

[schenkdaniel]

this is because your strings are old..... change them more frequently.. either that or you should buy better quality strings.

[lightningStrike3]

Thanks for the help.

The music store I went to was gonna charge me $10 per each string plus paying for the pack of strings. I wasn't up to spending all that just to have my guitar restringed. =/

[reaperofgenocide]

WOW they were trying to rob you. 10 dollars for each string plus the pack of strings ?!? Thats not cool.

[lightningStrike3]

Not cool at all

[reaperofgenocide]

Word. Thats a disgrace...

[davidjoanne98]

Thank you so much great instruction.love the clamp trick

[pontepolentepontepi]

però

[QlavaQpa]

thx so much! the clamp trick is awesome and really keeps the guitar in tune very well.

[frostkristian]

good job

[TheNumetal95]

thanks man this helped me alot

[kyleshut]

when you mentioned the sting needs to stretch for a few days,heres a way to speed up that process , when its tuned up snap it like you would do when playing country guitar for a bit and that should help stretch it quicker :)

[rydelluk]

Wrap and lock some say including Taylor not to do this just wrap not lock in ...... ?

[mongerlol]

Thanks for this, I bought an acoustic today and hadn't the foggiest idea how to restring it.

I had a Strat copy back in the day which was pretty straight forward.

I'll have to check the music store for one of those bridge pin tools.

[16mothernature16]

thanks.

[chrischeckedin]

thanks! what do you do if the peg wasn't in securely enough and then it goes flying across the room during the tuning process! haha

[machinsky108]

lool

hold it down securely with one hand and tune w/ the other

[adithestar]

helpful about winding the string on the key

thnx alot

[HiBeatsProductions]

this is really helpful

[towneegirl5]

Boy The string edges are sharp...I should know O_O

THANKYOOUU SOO MUCH! I needed to do this and all the written tutorials were shit!

thank you so much for posting this x

[LukeMonet]

my pegs keep popping out whilst i am winding up the strings, it never happened with my old guitar, what the hell is going on?

[SynysterGates30]

I am just about to start learning guitar. I'm geting an old aucostic guitar of my uncles that needs restringed but since im a newbie should i take it to a music shop or do it myself????

[micah179]

if you really understand this then i would say go to a music store and buy strings and do it yourself. If you have a question or two ask the guy at the desk of the music shop. If you're absolutely lost then just get it done by the music shop.

[LucysDadPlaysGtr]

"should i take it to a music shop or do it myself???? "

def do it yourself - you've gotta learn sometime, the sooner the better!

[icyfire011]

is it alright that the strings poke out everywhere?

[Macackilwaine]

yeh but you can cut them short if they are a nuisance. make sure you use wire cutters

[icyfire011]

okay

[BatistaPassos]

sometimes it can be dangerous, if you play guitar with strings pointing you face, you cant eventually hit your eye with it while doing movements, it's kinda dangerous...

Better cut..

[KarloR27]

Plus it can give yeah bloody fingers so be careful.

[matthewcataldi]

same for an electric too right?

[icyfire011]

yes except the string goes through to the back of the guitar

[streetblogger]

Thanks for a great demonstration!!

[muddqueen101]

i have a blue ridge br-343

[wellirule]

i need to fix a nylon acoustic everyone shows how to fix a steel, even though steel is more confusing cause of the nail,peg watever u call it. but could someone freaking show me nylon

[JoashhhT]

Those, I would think, are called "Classical Guitars" so uh, you're looking at the wrong video. Go type something with "Classical Guitars" in it in the search bar.

[SourabhRK]

u have got a realy nice guitar!!

[000steelandstone000]

the string winder will break your brand new string. a sudden change in tension induce by the high-speed turning of the winder will cause it to break.

if you don't want to take such an unneccessary risk, then use your hands.

[pookie123d]

damn you! wrap it around twice my ass! my string broke and now i'm blind. i'm going to sue you!

[adrianv92]

which Taylor is that??