How do you fix the strings on an acoustic guitar?

Answer 1

Fixing the strings is not really worth it. Just get a new pair. I prefer Martin Medium 12 gauge strings. They're loud and balanced. If you want something really bright with a coating, get D'addario's. I do repairs in a music store so you kind of pick these things up. The first thing that will make this 10 times easier is a string winder. This lets you crank and uncrank the strings extremely fast, and you can even get some that have specially designed string cutters built in (best things I've ever used, don't use scissors, use wirecutters) for when you need to clip off the remains, and "shovels" to help remove the bridge pins. Next, take off the strings. There's no special technique. Just unwind the pegs, take out the bridge pins, and throw out the string. Next, you want to take care of the fretboard. While the strings are off, this is the only opportunity you have to cure the fretboard. You can use lemon oil or valve oil (available at your music store) among other things to wipe down the frets and restore moister to it. Put the oil on the cloth, NOT the wood itself. If you don't take care of it, over time the fretboard can dryout and crack. Next, take a string (in no particular order) and put the end of it, usually a ball shape, in the corresponding pinhole at the bridge. Then put the bridge pin back in with the cutout groove facing to the soundhole so the string does not go on backwards. Before putting another string in another pinhole, take that string and pull it to the headstock with considerable tension. You want to wrap the string around the post a few times before putting it through the hole, this keeps tune better (You have to wrap with the string going to the outside, this is how the tuning machines are built). These are rough estimations I've made for the amount of wraps for each string before putting it through the post-hole: Low E-string-1 time, A-string-1.5 times, D-string- 2 times, B-string- 3 times, High E-string- 4 times. Remember to keep tension while wrapping them around. Now you can put the string through the post-hole, but after you put it through make sure the string comes out on top of the wraps, then pull it as hard as you can to reduce excess slack (maybe even use needlenose plyers). Then, keep tension with a finger pressed down on the string at the first fret and wind the string to pitch, hopefully with a string winder, and this keeps it looking nice and clean. Then what you can do, which not many people are aware of, is hold the string at the 7th fret, then jerk and pull it up. Pull hard, don't be shy. Continue to do this on the 5th and 3rd fret, then tune it back to pitch. You'll find it go down quite a bit in pitch. This breaks in the string, because usually with new strings you have to tune every 5 minutes until they wear in. Repeat that process for all the strings, then when you're done, clip the strings as close to the post-hole as you can. Optional: Some people like to get a string polish and use it right after the new strings are on. I recommend Dunlop '65

Answer 2

Make sure you have: Wire cutters, fresh set of strings, string/peg winder (saves sooo much time and also helps get stuck bridge pins out) and some lemon oil if you plan to clean the fingerboard while your at it! You string like any old acoustic guitar. Heres a guide: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/9914-how-to-restring-an-acoustic-guitar

Answer 3

To string an acoustic guitar, turn the tuning key as if you were tuning the guitar down until you can take the string off of the key. Carefully remove the peg holding the strings onto the bridge using a pair of pliers padded with fabric or band-aids. Some Guitars simply have holes at the bottom of the bridge. If this is the case, you only need to slide the strings through the holes. Put the new string in the peg and firmly insert it back into the bridge or slide the new string through the hole. Slide the end of the string through the tuning key in the same direction that the old one so that the string sits on the same side of the key as it did before. Let two to three inches of the new string stick out. Tune the key as if you were tuning the guitar up. Let the new string wind on top of the end that is sticking out once, then wind it underneath the key. Wind it around the key three to five times. If you wind it around to little you risk the string slipping off. If you wind it around too much, you will have tuning problems.

Answer 4

Unless only a small bit has broken off (max 5-7 cm or so), you have to replace it. Otherwise, restring it. Plenty of videos on the net on how to.

Answer 5

This is not really an answer but if you want instructions on changing strings try You Tube where you can watch. It's pretty difficult to explain in writing.