Change strings
S-style · 25.5" scale · 10–46 strings
Step 1 of 7
Whole guitar
Compare the gauge on the pack
1. Check your new strings
- Check the gauge on the pack and compare it with your guitar's gauge below.
- Same gauge: go ahead. A different gauge pulls on the bridge differently, so the bridge may tilt and the tremolo needs rebalancing afterwards. That's a separate job.
Your guitar is set up for 10–46.
Same gauge as before: go ahead.
2. Remove one old string
- Start with the low E. Changing one string at a time keeps the pull on the bridge and neck balanced.
- Turn the tuner until the string is completely slack. Never cut a string that's still under tension.
- Unwind it from the tuner post, then push it back through the bridge and pull it out from the back of the guitar.
3. Feed the new string through the body
- Push the new string through its hole in the tremolo block at the back of the guitar.
- Pull it all the way through until the ball end sits in the block.
- Guide it over its saddle and along the neck.
4. Wind it on the tuner
- Pull the string to about two tuner posts past its own post. That leaves enough length.
- Put the end through the hole in the post and bend it sideways.
- Wind so the string goes on the inside of the post and the wraps run downward.
- Aim for about 2–3 wraps on wound strings and a few more on plain strings.
- Cut the leftover end.
5. Tune up and stretch
- Tune the string to pitch.
- Pull it gently away from the fretboard along its length a few times.
- Re-tune. Repeat until it stays in tune.
6. Repeat for the other strings
- Do the A, D, G, B and high E the same way, one at a time.
- Before the last string, it's a good moment to wipe the fretboard with a dry cloth.
7. Check the bridge and tune
- Tune all strings again.
- Look at the bridge from the side. If it was flat or slightly raised before, it should look the same now.
- Tilted much further forward than before? The tremolo springs need rebalancing (coming soon), or see a luthier.