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How to string your acoustic guitar

When you string your acoustic guitar with a new set of strings and tune the guitar so that it rings out true you need to be safe in the knowledge that your guitar will stay in tune by stringing the guitar correctly in the first place.

Here is the correct way to string your guitar. (Note: this technique is for stringing steel-string acoustic guitars. Electric guitars and Classical guitars are strung in a different way).

Step 1: We are going to start at the 'bridge' of the guitar and place the 'ball-end' of the thickest string (low E) into the hole in the bridge of the guitar. Place the string in the hole nearest to you (as it looks when holding your guitar in the correct playing position). You then will need to press the bridge pin into the hole and press down firmly on the pin while pulling the ball-end of the string up.

Step 2: Next you will need to thread the other end of the string through the 'machine head' at the top of the guitar and pull it all the way through the whole, but do not pull it too tightly. The machine head you should be using for this string is the first head on the right of the guitar (as you look at it).

Step 3: Next, start to wind on making sure it winds round at least 3 times. Make sure that you turn the machine-head counter-clockwise so that the string rests on the inside of each peg and not on the outside.

step 4: You need to repeat the above process for all remaining 5 strings making sure that the 5th string and the 4th string (the next two strings in thickness on your guitar) are wound onto the remaining machine heads on the right. Strings 3, 2 and 1 should be wound onto the left side machine heads with the thinnest (1st string) on the lowest machine-head, the 2nd string on the middle machine-head and the 3rd on the top machine-head.

Step 5: Now that all your strings are in their correct position, it's time to tune the guitar. When you have successfully tuned your guitar take hold of the 6th string (the thickest) at about the 12th fret and pull it upwards off the fret-board about an inch or two to stretch the guitar string. Be careful not to pull it too hard as you may snap the string. Repeat the process with the remaining strings paying particular care not to stretch the thinner strings too far, as they are easier to break. Re-tune your guitar

Step 6: Finally, cut off any excess string left over at the machine-heads with a pair of wire cutters. Congratulations, you have successfully re-strung your guitar.

How often should you change strings?

How often you should change your guitar strings is a matter of personal choice. Some professional guitarists change their strings before each performance they make or record. Others may leave their guitar stings untouched until they break or go dull and rusty. No matter, always remember, if you change your strings they need to be 'worn in'. A few hours of playing will wear them in nicely.

Prolong the life of your stings by cleaning them

Keeping your guitar strings clean not only makes the guitar sound clearer, but can make the strings last considerably longer. The best way to clean your guitar strings is to take a lint-free cloth, pass it between the strings and the finger-board and drag it the full length of the neck from the bridge to the nut. Ideally, you should wipe down your guitar string after each time you play your guitar, this will prevent the salt in your sweat from reacting with the strings making them rust.

Your guitar is not only a tool for you to learn how to play on, it represents an investment which if looked after correctly will give you years of fun and enjoyment, please nurture it and give it the care and attention it deserves.

Gavin Hartwell is the publisher of Learn To Play Guitar, a website dedicated to beginner and novice guitar players alike. Check out his website for more Free Guitar Lessons For Beginners

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