How To Change Acoustic Guitar Strings | On the Bench with Rob Magargal

Rob Magargal walks through the proper string changing technique for acoustic guitars. With a few simple tools and by following these easy steps, changing your strings can be a breeze.
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About Taylor Guitars
Taylor Guitars was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug, and has grown into the leading global builder of premium acoustic guitars. Renowned for blending modern, innovative manufacturing techniques with a master craftsman's attention to detail, Taylor acoustic guitars are widely considered among the best-sounding and easiest to play in the world. The comp any is a pioneer in the use of computer mills, lasers and other high-tech tools and proprietary machinery, and today, Bob Taylor is widely recognized throughout the musical instrument industry as a visionary acoustic guitar manufacturer.
#taylorguitars #acousticguitar #guitarstrings
00:00 Introduction
00:56 Removing old strings
02:21 Cleaning the guitar
03:14 Putting new strings on
07:06 Tuning & stretching strings
09:28 Recap

[@texhaines9957]

Sure wish he got the camera closer to show how he measured the length of the string before cutting. All I could see was his back

[@robgoff3638]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmGopnqFjcyihdE Older video by Rob, but you can clearly see how he measures the length of each string. Hope this helps!

[@iamthemusicman13]

Been playing over 25 years and will say you really explained the process so well compared to so many other videos and other people for that matter. Excellent job and also you kept it simple as well! I play a Taylor 412ce from 2006 and a Gibson Hummingbird Original mainly, so I use 2 different gauges of strings and it was honestly refreshing to see this video. Thank you and keep up the fantastic work.

[@tomg8888]

Glad Taylor is updated the older videos, great info!

[@charlesbranch4120]

Thank you, Rob. Like me, we don't look a day older than when you did those last reference videos that I came back to last month to replace a string broken in transit (I suspect) on a guitar I purchased and gifted to my SIL, who exclaimed that it (a Breedlove B-stock) and a Taylor Academy 12e were so much easier to play (and sounded better) than the gloss finish dreadnought he's been playing for years. Definitely heavier than the 12-53 lights... My heaviest strings. I seem to recall the earlier videos are more of a side view of the guitar than oblique from the headstock. I'm not sure which view I like better. Thank you and the crew for these productions. 🤠

[@advaldez92]

I love this method of changing strings. Been doing it for years and still do it to this day to both my Taylors.

[@T.C..]

Thank you, a lot of good reminders

[@navinram2755]

Awesome video, thank you! I loved all of the tips, especially holding the strings down on the neck before unwinding.

[@chrisdiceart]

Great video, if you ever redo this would you add a video of the ball end seated againt the pin? I'd like a visual referance of what "right" looks like... I'll stick my phone in the sound hole to get a shot to compare. Thank you! 🙂

[@nightfallstrings849]

Just got a hold of the 214ce-g It’s used but it’s so beautiful. Sounds amazing. Thank you for this I know how to restring a guitar but now that I own a Taylor I feel like I need to learn how to all over again lol

[@MilkBoy17520]

It tickles me how enthusiastic this man is about guitar strings. Good for him :)

[@freejazz7601]

Great teaching! Thank you!

[@vivalamusicastudio8485]

Thank you Rob

[@robseymour5830]

Hey Rob great job. I do most of that I just work on the floor plus I have to improvise for a neck cradle. I have followed your string chaging instructions from day 1 with my 310ce.

[@jackiet4575]

Taylor has a 2 part video on cleaning and re-stringing your guitar also on KZbin. I actually saved it in my libyfor reference.

[@robertbrams2129]

Valuable, solid info from the pro, thanks, proud new owner, 352ce, interested in do's and don'ts re: the double course strings locking properly into the six pin bridge.

[@junomaxzoey5146]

Better camera angles will do a better job in the presentation. Thanks.

[@RichLunaMusic]

I have never seen a tuning fork in action before haha. That was crazy! Some really good info on how to tune strings (even for non-Taylor axes). Thanks!

[@nyacoustics8373]

nice tips but it needed detailed close up. the camera is way too far away

[@rzh3443]

Agree with Mark in Memphis- ,we need same for slot heads. Martin has a video with one methiod but would like yours.

[@guitargod6997]

Nice system! Question - What gauge and type of acoustic guitar strings reduce "squeaking" of strings? What type of mic best reduces string squeaks? Many suggest a small diaphragm condenser directed to toward the twelfth fret? Your thoughts?

[@wilviars]

Can we get a video on truss rod adjustment and optimum action setup? Taylor Koa owner here

[@michael_caz_nyc]

The pulling on-the-string is so Important - Trust Me (3:54) - I went nuts the 1st time I changed strings on my 414ce-R. Great info presented here. I want that electric string winder. Where can I purchase one?

[@paulcote9988]

Need more close up shots to show how string is wrapped around post ie; over /under the bitter end

[@352boondocksaint]

What way are you turning the tuners?

[@joebowers3060]

2 things I would do differently. 1) I would keep bridge pegs dedicated to each hole opening. This is especially important when you have pegs custom sized for each hole. 2) a max of 2 full winds on the post for E-A strings. 3 max for D & G. 4 for b & e to keep string tension consistent across the neck.

[@rick423]

Agree with others … I have been asking Taylor for two years for a slot head video. They do have an article on web site to be fair.

[@markinmemphis]

Love to see your method for the slot head Taylors.

[@muusicman2010]

What brand of string winder is that? I need one!!

[@timothysu5761]

Always love the way Rob does it. Such a pro!

[@warmnorth]

The camera failed to zoom in on the most important details; which way the pins face, where to cut and how exactly to wind.

[@ComposerLoganPham]

I can’t get a restring done right. I tried to restring one of my trapeze tailpiece guitars for the first time, and the 6th string wouldn’t tune up to E. The 1st string also wouldn’t stay locked in the tuning head. I’m using the string slack measurement techniques from multiple videos (go from the next tuning head). What am I doing wrong?

[@pinocavallini3067]

Thanks Guy. I was doing pretty much everything wrong.

[@brandonpare2349]

Does it matter which direction you turn the pegs when installing?

[@gimpyjwilliams]

When did Taylor switch from elixirs to Daddario XS

[@Bwmovies363]

Wish we could of heard the guitar sound with the new strings

[@lamchop7]

Does it matter if I change the strings one at a time, versus removing them all at once and then restringing them like it was shown here? Always heard about maintaining neck tension, but does it matter much with modern guitars?

[@ralphmarlow6627]

I don't think I would put it away for a while with no strings also I put the two middle strings on first as not to twist the neck. But that is just me

[@censored7881]

I died a little inside when he leaned on the neck of the guitar like it was a bar (4:17).

[@user-mo1rg2qc2n]

Wish there was a closer angle of the process.

[@gabrielobrien21]

THE MAN

[@texhaines9957]

Gabe, why didn't he change the camera angle to better show how he measured the string length before cutting. He didn't verbalize it well and all I could see was his back. Not a very good training video for low vision people. Try this: close your eyes and try to restring the guitar from just what he says.

[@charlesbranch4120]

@@texhaines9957 I thought the earlier video had the better view of cutting the strings to length before winding. It was more of a side view with a better zoom than the oblique view from the headstock looking down the neck to the body. I'll continue to refer to the earlier two-part video hosted by Rob.

[@robseymour5830]

@@charlesbranch4120 Both videos are great. Both have different points explained well so refer both buddy. See ya next Tuesday Primetime!

[@jasper_north]

Yeah my dumbass was turning the wrong string while tuning and was like “why the hell wont this change pitch?” So naturally I just kept turning it higher and higher and snapped a totally different string.

[@standalowen]

I'm the world's worst stringer. I even get nervous. Thanks for the soothing voice.

[@arsnova7382]

Why no close ups when you worked the posts? That’s the whole point

[@ianson3]

I see you don't mention or use the so-called "luthier's knot" (threading the excess string under the main part, then going over it to tie it down). What are your thoughts on this?

[@johnlord1399]

He explains in the video that using his technique makes the luthier’s knot unnecessary, AND makes it easier to change strings the next time.

[@johnlord1399]

Although he doesn’t mention that knot by name.

[@nicholin02]

I am totally against of cutting my old guitar strings cause there's a service that accepts to recycle strings and awards you points for that sure....that would be bad if it gets thrown away for no use. i just unwind them and remove the old strings and coil them all after that i just put the new ones in. Before you restring, you need to do a guitar maintenance first before changing the strings. On the process of tuning up a string (electirc guitar for example), a tuning peg goes or facing infront of you is tight/more tension and facing away from you or back is loose/less tension and I found this way easy rather tuning down with my wrist to the left rather than to the right (which is your non-dominant hand). The guy who cuts the strings next to another post is so clean that the wound of the string is perfect. When you wound a string it should be on below as it gets more tension and there should not be any kinks of it and looks nice honestly. This is important, you want all of the guitar strings to be sitting nicely on the nut and the bridge also is securely placed in so it's perfecly flat before you tune up the guitar. Do not use an automatic tuner, use a manual mode (should be the same pitch/note playing on the guitar and the app). you'll figure it out someday :) (Fender Tuner) Give it a little stretch and tune it again. Have fun playing!

[@barruzza]

I own 2 Taylor guitars. I wouldn't sell them for the world.

[@dualquadable]

Me likewise..

[@tedwade6322]

I've been playing guitar and changing the strings LONGER than that fellow has been alive OR longer than the Taylor company has been around - and that's NOT the best way to securely put the strings on. I suggest looking up the video "Tech Tip How to Tie a Luthiers Knot" - that's the way that MOST guitar makers tell to attach strings.

[@honestnewsnet]

What good is this tutorial if we have visual? The camera guy does not have a clue.

[@Alecsweet3057]

I have to say it's a great video my friend but I can't see any what you're doing anything I just wish you had close-ups Because by the saddle I don't know what you meant about doing a little Bend for the length cuz your camera is so far away

[@ataricat3994]

Yeah, they even teased it here 6:50. I'm surprised Taylor would even put this video out. I had to double check who the uploader is.

[@zippitydoodah5693]

LOL!

[@taxationistheft711]

General info was nice...but the actual stringing...not so good

[@colinnolan2212]

Stay in front of the guitar but maybe don’t stay in front of the camera

[@bolababu1905]

Real poor camera work

[@masterofce]

Can't see one thing you are doing,,,,bad vid.!

[@michaelmolnar6234]

Why would you obstruct the camera from its intended view, pointless video no educational value at all.

[@philwilliams8328]

Poor camera angles and also not showing showing how you personally recommend placing and winding the string on the post.

[@bjleighandsouthernshadowsm8929]

Unfortunately if you stand in front of the camera, we can’t see what you’re doing. 🫤