How to Change Strings Tutorial (Classical Guitar)

[@jordanmoore7298]

This is hands-down the best string-changing tutorial for classical guitar. Thank you so much for making this and relieving me from hours of frustration with other videos that don't show the difference in stringing strategy between treble and bass. You're the best!

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thank you, Jordan! So glad it was helpful. -Dave B

[@freodockers3698]

Most clear restring video. Thank u so much

[@ilikevideos4868]

Out of all the videos here on youtube, this one was the most helpful. Thank you

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thanks, I'm glad you found it helpful! Peace

[@wtfusheeple5383]

i have been through about 20 vids,,your is the clearest by far,,thank you

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Glad to hear it was helpful! Hope you enjoy a fresh set of strings on your instrument. -Dave B

[@kconroyjoy]

Hi Dave, thank you so much for making this video. I have to watch a video every time I change my strings and this has helped immensely!

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Glad to hear, Kari! Thanks for the nice comment.

[@joancheung_guitar]

Thanks Dave! Really helpful and seems much easier! I usually took more then an hour to change the strings and it was not fun!

[@bigadventure101]

Thanks Dave. I've seen this method in several books, but still needed a live demonstration. I was a bit unsure how tight (how much slack) to leave when I first put on the treble strings, so maybe didn't leave enough string on the post, but I think it will be fine.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Christy, glad it was helpful! A demonstration is certainly more helpful than images, but even then getting good camera angles is challenging. The more frequently you change strings the easier it will get...takes some practice.

[@robertfantazo4751]

Thanks Dave. As simple as it might seem, changing your strings properly, there's a discipline to it. I used to call it "I need to throw on my strings" and that was kind of how I did it....

[@turkmusik]

Thanks. Sometimes three times at the bridge does not work for me. Now I run it through the whole two times. This holds it.

[@neeshakhan3821]

Thanks Dave, Very handy to know now.

[@jonathancollins9057]

Excellent video. Although, steel core for the bass strings?? I don't know what kind of brand of strings you're using, but I believe they are nylon core with silver plated copper wraps unless you're using a gold plated wrap. Silk N Steels will be the closest to nylon but still being steel strings.

[@justoaguiar2514]

I've seen several videos on changing strings using differents methods but what I still don't get it is why in strengting the high E, for example, people turn the handle clockwise (viewing from top to the table) it don't make sense to me. Can you tell me why?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Justo, thanks for your question. We want the string to have what's called a good "string break angle" and at the nut we want to avoid having the string cut away at a sharp angle -- either to the left or right or down too much. To make this happen we line up the string so it will all roll on TOP of the tuner pin. Doing so will make it so we turn the treble string tuners clockwise to tune up to pitch and the bass strings counter-clockwise. Hope this helps. Peace - Dave B

[@jeffreychan9821]

Where can I get a short like that. That was awesome..

[@mootal2812]

This is very informative...😊

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thank you and glad it was helpful! -Dave B

[@davejahn6812]

Wow! I've never seen the string wound around itself before tightening, up at the headstock. And without much slack. I was told when a string lays across itself, the slight bend has a tendancy to be a weak spot and will break there. Thoughts?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Dave, this is a method many guitarists use and though ordinarily bending a string can add a kink that weakens the string, that does not happen when you wrap the string (without fully bending it to create a 90 degree angle -- works the same on the strings wrapping at the bridge). Removing slack ensures the string is snug up against the capstan (string barrel) and wrapping it around itself without slack makes sure you don't have too much string on the capstan, which can cause intonation issues. Peace.

[@andju2hikari]

use sticky notes for covering the bottom (2-3 layers because they are thin), it saved me today (I am bad at changing strings)

[@shellydrew100]

i love my classical guitars but re-stringing them has to be my pet hate...this is a brilliant vidio , thanks for sharing this :)

[@МарияШаповалова-э6ч]

приятно послушать умного педагога.😊

[@kierongilfillan7783]

What classical guitar is that

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Kieron, that's a 2008 Paul Sheridan guitar. Best wishes. -Dave B

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

Hello. I just changed my 'A' string with a 'ball end' string, as opposed to the other five strings which have 'tie end' strings. My only concern is the string only looped about twice around the top of the guitar, while the other strings all loop about four times. I still have a lot of extra string left. According to my guitar tuner, the string is in tune. Did I do something wrong? Thank you.

[@DougHinVA]

if the strings are looped in a 'U' to trap the string end by more string, it will not come loose at the tuner end. See video that shows how to attach strings at the tuner barrel

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

@@DougHinVA Thank you.

[@ironhawk2000]

Good video but hearing the Paul Sheridan body repeatedly hit the table and imagining the new dents was disconcerting.

[@robertfantazo4751]

David I'm so tired of trying to string my guitar my classical guitar, I cannot get this the way you do it I want you to do it. I've watched your video three or four times now over and over and over over and over and over and over, my strings look ugly I can't get it back beyond the the bridge so the tails tied down it always comes loose the E the B the G I'm ready to buy a telecaster steel string and just string it up in three minutes and play the guitar.

[@gundwolf]

This method could cause string burn under the bridge. I understand the advantage of stringing the treble strings first but the if one chooses the traditional method of braiding the strings under one another on the bridge, the bass strings need to be done first...which will also avoid string burn on the finish.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Glenn, because of the windings on the bass strings, catching the string on itself once is enough to hold the tail of the string in place and it will not slip out and burn the bridge: if you are concerned you can always do more than one wrap for the bass strings, but one wrap is sufficient to keep the string in place securely. Best wishes to you.

[@synnack]

Hy Dave. What kind of guitar is that you have?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi synnack, this is a 2008 Paul Sheridan.

[@synnack]

Cool. same as Simon. Did you buy it direct from Australia or does he have dealers in the US?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

I actually bought mine from a dealer in Indianapolis. I don't believe Sheridan has any specific US dealers, though; I just happened to come across a used one there. Paul's waiting list is pretty long right now but every once in a while you can find a good used copy in the States (when I bought this one about three years ago there was another one in a bit worse shape at Guitar Salon in New York). Best of luck!

[@c_farther5208]

I went back and back and back and don't get the winding for tying on the string. I see the loop that is made then I don't get it from there. Nice manicured hands, sometimes I am so grossed out, I just can't continue to watch. Well done, but I don't get it.

[@fongy200]

I use a 12 hole bridge, i find i get a better tone and tuning stability, it was originaly a 6 hole bridge but i swapped it out for said 12 hole style. I will say though the 12 hole bridge is a more fidgety process when it comes to a restring.

[@filiricaninseattle7095]

Better tone??? More fidgety???? Do you even own a guitar? 🤣

[@wellingtonalumninz157]

It helps to protect the guitar if you place a piece of towel on the bench top.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, I use a piece of rubber shelf liner to stabilize the instrument, which works well for my guitar because of its particular type of finish. A towel can work if you have a French Polish Shellac finish and are worried about the "rubber" material of the shelf liner having any reaction with the finish.

[@brucelevine6517]

I never have to "clip " the strings since I change strings every 3-5 weeks and give my old strings to people whom dont change that often

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Bruce, very generous of you! :) And, yes, technically there's no real "need" to clip the strings, but it does give it a tidier look. At the bridge the little tails *can* cause some buzzes when rattling on the top, so I try to keep those trimmed. Peace.

[@mariomella8776]

Bruce Levine the.

[@mvp019]

Very helpful video, but hearing the back of that guitar clinking on that wood surface was killing me!

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thanks, mvp019. Glad you found it helpful. That's just the back of the headstock! The back is protected with a rubber sheet under it. :)

[@glantr1]

Protect the whole guitar with towel or long piece of rubber sheet, cheap and easy. @@ClassicalGuitarCorner

[@christopherg6496]

I’m here to stare at the Sheridan, beautiful guitar

[@richardalan8610]

Looks mean nothing, it's the sound.

[@lucastaylor0]

I have dots on the end, what do I do?

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Hi Lucas, not sure what you mean here -- you have dots on the end of your bridge?

[@darionieves550]

You know very well,but a lot of people do not know that.even profecional!

[@lucienvergez1565]

Non on change corde par corde,demander à un luthier il vous dira pourquoi.

[@ClassicalGuitarCorner]

Thanks, Lucien. Different luthiers will give you differing information on just how safe or unsafe it is to take more than one string off at a time. If your luthier recommends only removing and changing one string at a time, then go with your luthier's advice.

[@justinkeurentjes2397]

It takes me 5 minutes

[@Hairy.Whodini]

It takes me 4 minutes

[@yorksteraz]

I have never seen anyone going through so much crap just to change guitar strings.WTF

[@DougHinVA]

so he blocks the viewer with his hands and never even planned how to make it for the viewer... And he does NOT attach the strings as a pro guitarist does at either end! Follow a pro and stop making it too complicated. Skip it.

[@espiritguitar]

Super wrong way to change strings.

[@yourrnamee1280]

Nope, 1st time stringing, this was not good for me.