How to Restring a 12-String Guitar

Restringing a 6-string guitar can be a challenge - so is restringing a 12-string twice as hard? Not with Martin's own Dave Doll here to help you. You can also find Martin 12-String guitars here: bit.ly/1RlzMV8

[@SaintStephen68]

I love watching anyone talk about what they're good at.

[@gigsandbusking8959]

Mate been stringing my guitars all my life and you have educated me with your method of threading the string and wrapping it then bend it back over, *fantastic* thanks

[@jasonforster1358]

Me too :)

[@lynton3]

I have learnt a new tip, Thanx. I have been playing guitar since I was 6 years old (1976) & have always done it the old fashioned way, & always had grief threading & getting enough string wound on before tightening, without it springing off & pricking the hell out of my fingers. I love the tip of finger at first fret, fold string back on itself & under thus locking it into position. I have a crank winder somewhere, but can never find it when I need it. Gonna by myself a mechanical winder and be done with the messing around once and for all. Much appreciated.

[@petebobkat9175]

I always put my bridge pins in a little rack in order when changing acoustic strings

[@randyc5650]

Thanks. I like the way you lock the strings. You can't blame any de-tuning on strings slipping.

[@grizmt7779]

I have been playing and changing my strings for many years, and have used a few different ways to measure the length of the strings and wind them, but this seems to be the best I have seen. Thank You so much!

[@antjone]

Ha - thank you Mr Doll I was halfway through re-stringing a 40-year old EKO Rio Grande 12-string and the pins kept flying out. Honestly - I had got a hammer out to put them in "proper". I realised this was a bad move, found your video, and learned of "rolling the strings in". That has worked lovely. I have a gig in three days and the EKO is incredibly loud - I'd be lost without it. Thanks you for your excellent video - it's great to see a craftsman at work Tony

[@Philo68]

I always snip the strings before tightening lest they scratch the head stock, the neck, or sting the back of my hand! Awesome video, really informative.

[@nuway2jam]

This is a very helpful video thanks for the input, it will give me more technique even for the six string, Thank You!

[@rodsreel]

Absolutely spot on, some great tips in there, I've played 12 for many years and this makes it well faster and better for the guitar. Cheers from the Scottish Highlands.

[@JerAtoZ]

Excellent video Dave. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@frankfitzgerald4536]

I don't like the idea of taking all the strings off at once. All the tension off the neck at the same time. Huge change in tension on the neck and body. I do one set of six and then the other. Alternating every other string.

[@InvictusSolDerauma]

Well done video! I don't restring my guitars often enough to remember all of the tricks and techniques that make it easier. I used to dread replacing strings, but your excellent video has made that a thing of the past. Thanks Dave!

[@FretFriendLaGR]

I've just set-up and re-strung a 12 string using this method and it's so quick and easy! Brillaint! :D

[@user-qf4zs6qj4c]

A superb guide. I'm terrible at restringing and was about to hand my recently-purchased used 12-string to a tech to do it properly, but I decided to risk it myself after watching this. So glad I did - it was easy. I used a manual string winding crank; electric winder is fine if you have one but no real need. No hitches in the procedure at all and it holds tune very well. Many thanks for uploading this.

[@msabby718]

Thanks for the video and all the handy tips, especially explaining the bridge pins !

[@diegoaloslopez7658]

Thank you so much for sharing with us your method, it is been a great help. Cheers from Madrid, Spain!

[@henymen]

you are a very authentic and sympathic guy mr. doll

[@TheGiuiba]

great quality tutorial. thank you dave!

[@msabby718]

Best video i've seen yet on restringing a 12 string too!

[@5tattoo69]

Thanks Dave. I have just taken off my old strings and cleaned up the guitar. Replacing the strings was gonna be a nightmare, but after this I'm looking forward to it. Was never quite sure how much slack to leave before winding on the new strings, but I like your technique of thumb at the first fret. Respect.

[@TheCritterClips]

I have been restringing my Guild F212 since 1967 and I never stumbled across Dave's simple technique for setting the length of the string. My eye got pretty darned good in the first decade. Nowadays, not so much. Old dawgs need new tricks, and I'm not too proud to say that Dave's way beats my way, hands down. Getting the strings on and close takes a good 10 minutes less now, but mimicking Dave's whole procedure (except the octave strings are in the rear on the F212) has tamed a most ornery guitar that always took its own sweet time settling in to new strings.

[@BrianWMay]

Me too, his way just neatly locks the strings in place without any grief. Brilliant isn't it.

[@purplegherkins198]

Really helpful guide! Thanks so much

[@hendrexfan91]

thanx ...brotha..always learn a little kool tip from your vids..helpful,,Happy Holidays

[@BlindFrontman]

Awesome video and now have great new and faster way to string my Simon & Patrick Lefty 12 string. LOVE the "locking in" feature in this video. Wish I'd thought of that a long time ago. I'm betting on a lot less tune loss with this technique. THANK YOU!

[@Justinaleeblack]

You video was super helpful. I never knew the high G was placed in the middle of the strings or as you, stated on the top treble side of the guitar. Thx Dave....You're a Doll ;-)

[@MrPancakemix]

Brilliant! Very helpful tips!

[@ibrewalot]

Thanx much! First string change on my D12-28 and wanted to make sure to get it right. One thing that threw me for a sec was my bridge is different from the video in that the lower strings have to go on the row closest to the saddle. For some reason, the back row is offset different;y than the video. Figured it out and moved on. Thanx for the help!

[@bigtoe4411]

thanks for the tutorial very helpful

[@hightigh]

Great video,thanks for posting it. I could have used that trick for placing the strings in the posts a long time ago. Cheers.

[@richardcorysghost]

Thanks very much. A daunting task made a bit easier!

[@efduncan]

Sure takes me longer! I enjoy all your how to videos Dave!

[@1cherieka]

totally helpful. Thank you very much.

[@AcousticCafeDuo]

First time restringing my 12 acoustic , thanks so much for your method

[@mitchkennedy2355]

this helped me so much thanks for posting. also what was the riff that you played at the end of the vid Thanks

[@yooyoomine]

thank you! u gave me a courage to replace them for the first time!

[@TrevMid]

Truly excellent video - a really helpful guide. Many thanks.

[@gus2312]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@JackoReaper]

i usually take one string off at a time . to give the neck some strain .

[@DetroitDogTrainer]

yup, or loosen each string a little bit all the way around before they are all totally loose.

[@ZenithTeam]

great guide

[@stephenkennedy1576]

rebuilding a smashed up 12 string. your advice is great. thanks from Christchurch, New Zealand

[@FreeCellularPlan]

With my 12 string it is not possible to put all the larger string on the lower pins and harmonics on the top row of pins or the order running to the winders is backwards. Other wise good example.

[@SurfingStuff]

Thank you for the help. High 5.

[@LashKiddCosplay]

This is great advice! Thanks! By the way, at the beginning of the video, what song was that being played?

[@BlackMesaEastBeats]

Thanks Dave!

[@jessicabeek3883]

I play a 12 and nothing but a 12. Thanks for the tutorial. Great work!

[@robertbowen9417]

I have used the diagonals to remove the pegs but I always lay a soft cloth on the guitar to make sure that I don't mar the finish on my instrument. I now us an inexpensive tool from fender to do the job.

[@graponias25]

Hi Dave, great video! Thanks. I have a question. You mention that you should make sure that the bridge pins are not too high or too low ('fall in') but you don't mention what we should do if they aren't even. In my case, most are at the same level, but I have one that is higher and one that is lower. Should I do anything about them if they seem to hold the strings in securely?

[@wirdanutomo]

i love you martin & co!!!!

[@RenePretschner]

Thank you very much and greetings from Cologne in Germany :-) René

[@lemminkainenofficial]

Thank you!

[@threeguysfromnowhere]

Thank you - Appreciated.

[@virgin104]

Then too there is the over/under method that initially lock the string by wrapping up one time, then moving down the post.I string my 12's (I own several 12-strings) much differently, usually working from the outside strings in to the center. All 4 E strings, moving on to the A's/B's, then finally the D's/G's. This helps prevent the long, uncut ends from getting tangled together as they are being wound.

[@jackalker6384]

what was the opening song?

[@StevenBucknall]

REALLY GOOD

[@michelthegreatable]

is it possible to only put 6 strings on a 12 string? would it do some weird things to the wood? i'm talking about a 335 style guitar by the way. I just want to try being able to play lead guitar on it. Thanks

[@Drakeman2003]

Dave, whats the order of the strings when you get to the octaves? low high or high low?

[@oOoKhaledoOo]

I wanted to restring my 12 guitar to start with low strings first, but it seems to be impossible to do :(

[@FreeCellularPlan]

Seen another martin video on how to string a 12 with a slightly different technique but it had the same end result. Just Like my Newtons theory. The end result can be predicted. What strings do you recommend for a 12 string electric and tips for setting intonation?

[@Leeb97]

Does Martin sell that compensated saddle for a 12 string? I have a J-12 40M and am interested in the compensated saddle Thanks for any info.

[@portrait321]

Wouldn't removing all the strings at once affect the neck's tension??

[@fotofoko]

my guitar is a cort MR710F-12 and the pins are in diferent order so the thick strings go on the front? is that ok?

[@theguitarninnja97]

Are you sure it's safe to take all the strings off at once? I find that if i take all that tension off at once it causes problems in the raise of the action. Like the bridge will rise.

[@5Bird5]

Do you think that the end of the string shouldn't be cranked over (as recommended by Dan Erlewine and others)? Oh and great vids by the way - thanks tons!

[@eduardorodriguez4899]

This was really helpful, the technique for locking the strings is awesome. Thanks

[@ctnine82]

thanks sir

[@baby9811]

thank you very much indeed man ;)

[@Mrjulicaro]

grazie!

[@odestyd]

What is the song in the beginning?

[@mjallenuk]

You know I might go and brave buying a 12 string after watching that..... just as soon as you send me that turbotune doodaa... ;) Thanks chap...

[@DetroitDogTrainer]

Thanks

[@davidoverton2241]

very nice. i was always told to leave tension on the neck when removing strings but you didn't do that. Have I been mislead? My 12 string has a bow where the space from fretboard to string is much larger at the body. Does the neck need adjustment or will it correct itself once all strings are tuned? Thanks for the great video. david

[@davidoverton2241]

Thanks Sander. If the space between the strings at the body is quite larger than at the space at the headstock(1st fret) after changing strings, will the neck adjust or is this a bigger problem? It's a Dean 12 string acoustic/electric. Thanks, david

[@davidoverton2241]

The space between the strings and the fretboard.

[@gary_beniford]

+David Overton you mean the action? I usually keep tension on the neck too and remove as I replace when I restring. I'd rather be safe than sorry. if you have action that's too high it is possible to lower the bridge I'd have a luithier check it out.

[@pablogriswold421]

+David Overton Is this mostly at the middle of the fretboard (5-13 ish)? For that you can adjust the truss rod (there are plenty of videos on that) but if it is somewhere else and bad, you may need to bring it to a luthier or repair person.

[@leftienigeblank4320]

Did you hear about all the millions of guitars that were ever made . While still in the factory they didn't have any strings on them , sometimes for HOURS ! Sometimes for DAYS !! Did they all explode , implode, or turn into banana-necks ? Guess the answer . Don't believe old wives tales , how do you think luthiers clean and oil fretboards , do refrets , etc ? With 5 strings still fitted and up to playing tension ? As long as I've played ( since the early 60's ) I've never heard of any guitar being harmed by going an hour or three without strings .

[@davidphillips8166]

Well done - THANK YOU!

[@MrChamps57]

Can you do a video on restringing a split (slotted ) head stock thanks

[@ivanElRuidoso]

Thanks!! PS Cool pompadour!

[@jnlloyd86]

Yeah you can do that. Shouldn't do anything to the wood, but you'll want to get it properly set up as the tension will be quite a bit less.

[@Fret01]

No problem with it. Enjoy.