How To Change Acoustic Guitar Strings for Beginners. The BEST Way! It's EASY!

🎸 Learn how to change acoustic guitar strings! In this lesson, I'll teach you the steps you should follow to properly restring your guitar. Also, a super tip to help you keep your guitar in tune even if you've just changed the strings. A complete guide for beginners and more advanced players - enjoy! :) 👉 Check out my free guitar courses: www.justinguitar.com/guitar-le... #justinguitar #guitarforbeginners #acousticguitar
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👉 Video Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:17 The tools you need to restring your acoustic guitar
01:58 Before you start: mark the bridge's placement on the guitar neck
02:32 Step 1: How to cut the old strings
04:38 Step 2: How to remove the old strings from the headstock
05:31 Step 3: How to properly clean the fretboard
07:37 Step 4: How to put the new strings on
10:55 Step 5: How to place the strings on the headstock
20:36 Step 6: Tuning your acoustic guitar
22:16 Important! Stretching in your new strings to keep the guitar in tune
25:27 Q&A: How do you know if it's time to change strings?
27:32 Q&A: What gauge guitar strings should you use?
28:51 Q&A: Are coated strings worth it?
30:36 Get in touch!
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[@justinguitar]

What are your favourite Acoustic Strings? And you prefer coated or raw?

[@drsmith4582]

I’ve been using D’Addario Coated Phosphor Bronze .012-.053. They sound great and last a long time.

[@geofixated]

Boring D'darrio

[@flux1968]

I prefer DR Dragon Skin Coated Phosphorous Bronze .010 - .048. In addition to the bright sound, I find that it also reduces finger squeak when I do slides. I also use that gauge because it's easiest for me to learn "A"-shaped barre chords with those.

[@ronmoore1219]

Beginner here, playing a Taylor A10e and using Elixer phosphor bronze nanoweb, light. Simply because, at this point, I don't (didn't) know any better! :-)

[@lorenjo]

D'Addario EXP16 for me.

[@rethlopes8691]

Honestly Justin is the Bob ross of guitars. He’s so chill and calm.

[@justinguitar]

I love Bob Ross :)

[@LocalMachine]

I was just thinking this very thing while watching the video, then I scrolled and saw this. Justin is awesome.

[@Numenorean921]

I love Justin but Paul Davids has that title

[@Tri_monster]

@@Numenorean921 I was thinking Brandon Acker

[@stevecrocker6904]

that's just Tasmanians for ya!

[@mmccartney6579]

Best lesson on this topic I have EVER seen!! I started teaching myself guitar about 9 years ago after I retired, and you, Justin, were the first person on KZbin that I began learning from. I decided to learn guitar after I retired to help ward off the "old timer's diseases." I wouldn't have even attempted to learn how to play guitar if it wasn't for KZbin, as I am on a low fixed income, and couldn't afford in-person lessons. My acoustic is an Epiphone Hummingbird Artist, and I use Elixir Nanoweb, 11-52's. They sound great, and last a long time for the money. I turned 76 November 11, and am having a ball playing, and still learning. Thank you, Justin, for all you do, especially for us old hacks! Cheers!! :)

[@kidus5431]

Keep rocking!

[@johnwashburn3793]

Happy birthday Mac! I am trying this Nanoweb as soon as I put them on, hopefully this evening. 🎂

[@johnwashburn3793]

...also, I am an old hack as well.

[@mmccartney6579]

@@johnwashburn3793 Thanks, John Washsburn! Hope you like them...I sure do! Cheers! :)

[@mmccartney6579]

@@johnwashburn3793 Welcome to the "old Hack" club! lol Cheers! :)

[@TheMinorFallsTheMajorLifts]

The picture of correct ball-to-bridge pin positioning is super helpful. Thank you for illustrating that!

[@felixfcaf2002]

I have been changing strings for 31 years. This is the best video on the topic. I learned a couple of things. Thanks, Justin!

[@justinguitar]

Cheers Felix :)

[@mrs_urgent_fury9819]

This is by far THE BEST instructional video I have ever seen on how to change out the strings on your guitar for beginners. The angles you filmed and lighting were perfect and I could see everything very clearly (unlike others I’ve seen). I have watched others that left me frustrated with ruined strings and a loose mess. This was perfect! I’m so glad you showed both sides too. Very thorough. Had it done in a jiffy. Please don’t ever take this video down. I’ve got ya saved!

[@colinbridson650]

Hi. I’m a reluctant/nervous string changer and followed the instructions on this video. Excellent result. One thing I found was that the bright, ringing sound I got from my guitar had an amazing effect on the way my singing voice responded when I recorded myself. My brain had a richer stimulus from the guitar and seemed to direct my voice to acquire a similar richness of timbre.

[@stevehunter8473]

You published this about 5 seconds after I had just finished changing my strings for the first time.

[@justinguitar]

Ohhh :( Maybe you got to check the older video I've made on this? :)

[@sandywinfield9406]

Great video. Glad you didnt speed up or fast forward through it. I find it helpful to see each string changed in detail at regular pace. Plus allows for time for a pleasant chat, which is beneficial to all of us these days.

[@justinguitar]

Slow is fine for me :) who wants to rush all the time? and those folk can watch at x2 if they want :)

[@manbat1011]

@@justinguitar I tried it at x2 and broke all my strings because I was trying to keep up

[@jeroen9637]

Good timing, I wanted to do this next weekend. This is one of the best string changing instruction videos on KZbin. Update: done! Thanks for posting.

[@VinnieVeneer]

Changed my strings the first time ever last night. Followed one video I found but it didn’t explain something well. Found this video - Justin is a master teacher! A couple tips in here - how much slack to include and holding the string taut while winding and how the pins work and where the knob end of the string should sot - essential guides for the beginner! Thank you Justin!

[@Santiino]

Wonderful remake. The perspective looks much better than the old one.

[@justinguitar]

I'm glad! Thanks ;)

[@benchurchill9735]

This is excellent. I was going to get my guitar restrung at a shop, but now I'm dead keen to do it myself. Thanks for this lesson, Justin. Thankyou also for the great online course, I'm really enjoying it.

[@aish_missy]

A good handful of years playing - and yet I still come back to this, everytime it’s re-stringing season !

[@eddyhoughton6542]

Dude, I've been playing the guitar (badly) for 34 years. I only watched this video to see if it'd be worth sending to my daughter who is starting to learn. I never thought I would learn anything from this but your advice is absolutely spot on! I have picked up some really good tips. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Justin!

[@martincairney1746]

Excellent tuition thank you it was exact. I've just strung up my 1st guitar at 53 years old 🙂

[@patvee]

As someone who has used numerous videos to follow along with as I change the strings on my guitar, this by far has to be the best one imo. Very easy to understand and doesn’t go to fast or skip anything.

[@summershell36]

Extremely, extremely helpful. I love that you provided good close shots and that you restrung all the guitar strings with us.

[@coreystall8668]

I have watched a lot of "how to string" videos over the years and this is by far the best one. Thank you Justin for posting a simple, easy to follow "how to" on something essential to playing guitar.🙏

[@datahound2u]

Thanks so much, Justin! I just changed by acoustic guitar strings for the first time - actually, the first time I ever changed any guitar strings - and I had NO PROBLEMS doing it. I really like that technique where you loop the string around from the outside before winding. I'll try that on my ukulele next time I change those strings. My acoustic was easier to play and even sounded better with better strings on it. You made the process so easy!

[@ChristopherCoyle]

Man, watching this while changing the strings on my acoustic for the first time was brilliant! Many thanks for this!

[@carolgrady1993]

Great video! I had never changed my own strings before, but your step by step instructions made the process easier than I had anticipated. Thank you.

[@gordonmculloch4904]

Need to really change the strings on my guitar, and this is so helpful. Cheers 👍

[@justinguitar]

Good luck - and hope this helps!

[@gordonmculloch4904]

JustinGuitar: very much so. Thanks.

[@rickibartlett4885]

Thanks Justin ! Feel I am now ready to change my strings 😀

[@rickyricardo9917]

Gotta love Justin, wonderful teacher and such a clam, relaxing demeanor.

[@Santiino]

Even seeing changing stings still gives me anxiety xD

[@drsmith4582]

Me too and I’ve been changing strings for over 35 years.

[@justinguitar]

haha ;)

[@Mustaine1ify]

@@justinguitar The more you change them the more complacent I get. Last set I changed i cut the Fat E the wrong side of the post. 🧠 freeze

[@organicgardenmamavictoriab2768]

Lol I am still a beginner at this

[@paulcockerill4260]

Did my first change yesterday. I accidentally left the saddle of the guitar and snapped the G string! Had to order some more. The moral of this is for your first string change use cheaper ones otherwise it could get expensive,

[@Videos_I_like]

I've watched a lot of string changing tutorials on youtube. This is the best one! Never imagined I could get the strings wound as nicely as when I get the guitar serviced. Thanks!

[@cfraserlb]

Love the use of indexing you started using in the scroll bar for the video. It works great for jumping to different areas of the video.

[@AnnRegal]

Thank you. I always change my own strings but you just made it so much easier. Or maybe you instilled the confidence I usually lack. I really appreciate all that you do to help with our guitar journey. Bravo!

[@thatdude7540]

I will forever be grateful for all you have taught me down to the minute detail about guitar Justin, you're the greatest guitar teacher a person could ask for

[@Blueridge1961]

Well, it doesn't come as as big surprise, that the best guitar teacher on the net of course also delivers the best instructional video for guitar string change... Excellent work!! Thanks.

[@davidbacon4206]

Justin - thank you. You are the first person to demonstrate clearly and effectively how to change strings on a guitar. I have been changing strings incorrectly for years, resulting in absolute dread whenever it was time to do it. Something nearly always went wrong. I had your video perched on the desk as I followed your advice, in real time, and, not only do I have some lovely new spangly strings but I actually enjoyed the process. So - thanks again. Brilliant channel.

[@grahamnorris8347]

Used this video so many times to help changing strings. Brilliant thanks for your time, much appreciated.

[@gw3705]

Yours is the best demo! Your experience counts. I keep the replacement string tight with my left hand and loop the string around the post until I finish the tightening without a crank. My electric has a Floyd Rose bridge with a locking nut. When I put the guitar away for another day, I push the whammy bar way down, which loosens the strings, then I insert my little block of wood, to keep it loose until I play again. This lack of tension extends the life of the strings considerably. I tune three times, if needed, on any stringed instrument.

[@tayfu]

Thank you Justin, 3 weeks in and I can easily say your lessons are very good at teaching and entertaining.

[@lauramckim5202]

Thanks Justin. Just changed my strings for the first time ever, I was very apprehensive but followed step by step!

[@PAppMundo]

It’s official guys! There’s no point in watching any other guitar tutorial channel than this one. This is hands down the best and easiest method I’ve watched!

[@AltoBurlapCirrus]

I've been changing my own strings for over 20 years, but after a recent professional setup, I noticed something for the first time about how the strings were wrapped around the peg. Indeed, and I had never quite done it this way before! Here you mention the joys of getting old, but I think on the other hand, it is that you really can learn new tricks! Cheers Justin!

[@googo151]

WISH I COULD STUDY WITH YOU ONE ON ONE. SUCH A GREAT TEACHER.

[@warren52nz]

Great video. As a player for 55 years I've seen a lot of people who don't know these details. A couple of differences in my technique: 1) If you wiggle the bridge end of the string while loosely pushing the pin in, you can feel when the ball on the end of the string slips off the end of the pin and tucks into the slot. I've also bent the end as shown in this video if it's stubborn and won't fall into the groove but you usually don't need to bend it. 2) When I'm winding on, the first wind goes *_over_* the hole and the 2nd one under. This *_guarantees_* that the string will be "clamped" and won't slip making re-tuning less frequent. In this video the 6th string isn't really clamped, that is the string doesn't go over itself clamping it down. Not that this won't work but I think "hard" clamping is better. I also do the strings in this order; 6th, 1st, 5th, 2nd, 4th, 3rd so that I don't put an unbalanced load on the neck. If you go 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 then halfway through, the neck will be pulled sideways. I doubt this matters but I do it anyway. Also bending the end of the string at the tuning pegs is a great idea as especially the 1st and 2nd strings are DEADLY if you happen to poke the end accidentally. If it's bent then the string just moves sideways if you happen to poke it. I also tune the guitar up about 1 semitone to stretch the strings. Later I tune it up to concert pitch and the stretching is mostly over. Cheers

[@markbrown7103]

You’ve played for 55 years and I have played for 47 years pretty cool I am a note reader and I play finger style guitar I love it like your comment thanks 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎸🎸

[@warren52nz]

@@markbrown7103 I know how to read notes but don't so it's a very slow process. For me it's much quicker to just listen to it and work it out or if there's a video of someone playing it (as there always is these days) so much better. When Classical Gas came out in the early 70s I learned it one note at a time on a 45 vinyl record. When I was finished the needle was pretty much playing both sides at the same time! (joke). 8^)

[@erinbokan7613]

Thank you so much for taking the time to show this all step by step! I’ve broken so many of those guitars pins while putting in new strings.

[@justinwilliamson3461]

Brilliant. The kink in the wire and the string stretching tips are both superb. Thx Justin

[@john19655]

The best video on this topic;incorporates the most information clearly.thank you.

[@spratt00]

Most helpful video! Watched others and failed- this made it easy & now I can change my strings confidently. Thanks man!

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

10:56 - The best bit. SOUND advice, top man, just ordered a couple of your books, I think you deserve it.

[@fifer3889]

Thanks Justin, really helpful. Just changed mine for the first time and used D'addario silk and steel to try to give my poor beginner fingers a break! Definitely a softer sound than my previous bronze set. Lowered the action while I was at it so pretty proud of myself only now I have no excuse for my playing sounding so terrible! :)

[@bryanroutledgetube]

Thanks. First restringing done.

[@melissaboyte]

Thank you so much for this video. It’s the only one I found that showed clearly how to wrap the strings around and under, and I was nearly in tears trying to figure it out!

[@moonshatter785]

SAAAME I was confused like what how do I kink I fucked uo so bad i need to get new strings smh 😞😞😞

[@paulashley2707]

Many thanks Justin, brilliant video. Changing strings was always a real headache for me. Your clear step-by-step instructions have really helped; really good tips, too!

[@prestonthayer6338]

I changed the strings on my Taylor Acoustic for this first time this afternoon! Success! Thanks so much Justin for this easy to follow lesson!!!

[@somewaresim]

Fantastic tutorial as always. Changed my acoustic strings for first time and your instructions were clear and helpful. Thanks Justin!

[@michaelheath76901]

Thank you for taking the mystery out of the bridge pins! I'm new to changing acoustic guitar strings and the pins holding the string in didn't make sense to me. I know now I was doing it wrong. 🙂 Thanks again for the straight forward clarity. 👍😊

[@emingmann1400]

Great tutorial. I broke a string a couple days ago and once I got my new ones I was able to easily change the strings out using this vid. Very concise and helpful.

[@TSCGA]

Watching this video counting down the days until I get my first guitar for Christmas. Decided to take a step back from binge-watching your beginner lessons to see what else I could also learn. Both this video and your lessons have been extremely informative. Thank you so much for creating them all!

[@justinguitar]

Time to get addicted to guitar > games? ha ha! good luck!

[@TSCGA]

@@justinguitar thank you so much

[@ronmello1]

I've been a teacher of Art 40 years. I do think you're one of the best if not the best teacher of this medium on the internet. Thank you again.

[@johngbradt]

Thank you much Justin for making this video for us. It’s outstanding, concise & insightful 🎸🤟😎

[@albertofourie3294]

Perfect! 👌 Thanks Justin! 👍

[@modusartsgroup]

I had never changed the strings on an acoustic guitar before. This video was top notch. Can't say enough. Finished the job feeling like I could be a brain surgeon if only Justin was demonstrating in videos on KZbin. I broke one string. Low E, the first one I tried to install. Thank you so much, Justin.

[@anyatrioli3734]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been changing strings on violins and violas for a couple of decades but am taking an intro to guitar course at my uni for fun and to improve my collaboration with friends. I borrowed an acoustic from a non-guitarist friend, who bought it for next to nothing a few months ago. The fretboard was grimy as hell and the strings were rusted. Turns out changing guitar strings is more complicated than I thought. Now it looks and sounds like a whole different instrument!

[@RW3871]

thanks so much Justin.. it's the first time I'm changing the strings on my acoustic.. your tutorial was so clear and easy to follow.. that tip of stretching the strings was great.. my strings are now on and I have the confidence to do it again next time!

[@st.keise_official]

Thanks Justin I come back to this video every year

[@ClaretNyambura-ud9qi]

Thankyou Justin , you made it so easy!

[@katieferreira8050]

This was great thank you!!

[@Kayleefabulous]

Thank you so much for this! I've been too afraid to change my own strings ever since I taught myself to play in 2013! This was the video that finally gave me the confidence to do it. thank you so much for this video!

[@carlmccauley7537]

Thank you Sir for this video. I just changed out the strings on my Eastman acoustic guitar. Thanks to your calm and unhurried style I was able to complete the task without any drama. Changed my strings to String Joy strings. The low strings have a bit more punch and the high strings have a little more ring in them. Everything blends well which is one of the reasons why I bought this guitar. But getting back to your video I really like how you take the time to re-show how to connect each string to the tuning peg/post and which way to turn the tuning key. (Anti-clockwise or in the US we would say, counter clockwise.) Thanks again!

[@mmmburger1]

Just got my first guitar and changed my first set of strings thanks to this. Great video, thank you!

[@petehill8885]

super, great. i finally restrung my guitar properly. ty

[@danielkudarsky3760]

I really needed that. Saved me once more Justin!

[@fallingawake2092]

This is the best and most straight forward video on youtube on changing acoustic strings

[@izzy6062]

THANK YOU!!! So much ☝🏼🙌🏼☝🏼

[@andu1362]

thank you so much for this tutorial

[@elliotfrost5094]

thank you so much!!

[@aartimalusare3263]

Thankyou this video helped me alot

[@brainfellow5140]

Thank you, great tutorial! I changed them correctly on the first go at it by following your clear, concise instructions. 🎉 Didn't know about the stretching-in part, thanks for mentioning that.

[@Twalk40]

Great video, just finished restringing mine for the first time. Justin is the best!

[@princessnottoosure6413]

First attempt at changing strings couldn't have done it without you thankyou so so much

[@CoolDaysEnd]

great video, thanks!

[@Will-ip3rc]

Justin, thanks for always being there! Even though you taught me how to change strings last year, I still come back so I don't have to change them alone. 🤙🏻

[@nixternal]

I already know how to change strings, but for some reason, watching string changing videos is so freaking satisfying! Like more satisfying than removing the plastic from shiny parts of new hardware :)

[@justinguitar]

NO!!!!! Removing plastic film is one of the greatest pleasures on earth - far above string changing videos! :) hahah

[@mford9029]

@@justinguitar you guys gotta watch Landon Bailey’s guitar build videos. He too has a thing about the plastic film but would probably call you lovers freaks

[@shivamroy04]

This is a wonderful video for beginners and pretty helpful. Now this gives a lot of confidence. Thanks for sharing.

[@glennbaird9781]

Just changed them last night .very satisfied thanks for the video you rock

[@primozkovacic1841]

Thank you very much, sir!

[@steeler3258]

Dude, Amazing video!! Thank you so much!!

[@dennisstallard6457]

I just changed my strings following your great demo step by step , cheers Justin .

[@alexasplund5450]

I may be 1 year too late, but I still have to say thank you. I have tried restringing my guitar twice with different videos but they were of no help but your video seemed to do the job thanks and thanks on behalf of everyone else who this video helped🎸

[@grievouserror]

I've watched loads of videos about changing strings, knowing that I'll have to do it eventually. I'm one of those rare types who washes his hands every time before I pick up the guitar and it does seem to help. Most of the videos I've seen provide the same information, albeit with some slight variance in the specifics. However, this is the first one I've *ever* seen that mentions marking the bridge in case of dislocation. Thank you, Justin, for your inimitable idiom!

[@hitmanhatton]

This is a well explained demonstration. You're right it's super easy! Do it a few times and you'll be a pro.

[@masterskywalker8877]

Oh my freaking gosh I was about to go insane thank you so much I will check out your curriculum and app now.

[@stevesangston3540]

Completed my first string change! Thanks Justin!

[@johndeerishere]

This helped alot thanks.

[@monu9634]

Thank you

[@gjmarc]

Came across this video, thaks I successfully changed my guitar stirngs. Did in on my original first guitar for practice. Now feel more confident to restring my Epiphone and maybe even my Taylor guitars.

[@anishadhikari3690]

Thank you so much.. Perfectly changed my guitar strings step by step. ❤

[@jaronpenhale]

Thank you so much, this saved me alot

[@Kit-se3zs]

Thank you so much. Bought a lovely used acoustic for my daughter at an auction, cleaned it, and knew I could depend on KZbin to help me restring it. 😊

[@lucyjohnstone3271]

Just done my first string change... That wasn't stressful at all! Thanks Justin, best lesson in changing strings i found... And im pleased i did changed them, D'Addario phosphor bronze are so much nicer

[@johngbradt]

Thank You 😎🎸🎶☮️

[@stevemclin2252]

Thank you Justin, I was scared to cut those strings, followed you and did it , great video

[@sunnytheonly]

thank you, this saved me! i changed my own strings for the first time ever, bought my first guitar second hand so it had been played for a while before probably and then i played it for the past 6 years without changing the strings. after buying a second guitar new straight out of the music shop and seeing them next to each other i suddenly really wanted to take care of those old gross strings and make sure the wood doesn't dry out entirely. it's as good as new now, sounds better than it ever has and i'm very happy that i managed to change the strings myself. thank you for this video, great explanation!

[@DesertRat332]

Very well explained! Lots of good tips and pointers. I have watched 11 videos on changing guitar strings and this one is the best.

[@craigbarnard8721]

Thanks. Your video is my go to