How To Restring Your Guitar - Taylor Guitars

[@Daggerfall40]

That was smooth. This is the best string change tutorial I've seen yet.

[@Perrytraywick]

Am I the only one that has never seen a tuning fork used to tune a guitar? That was sorcery.

[@TheFloridaPappy]

I still have my A tuning fork. Extremely old school.

[@tonythomas8937]

old school and some people who work with music all the time and have perfect pitch just can hear the intonation. I have a friend who is an experienced professional Jazz and R & B bassist. He visited my house and asked me how my banjos were tuned, and I started to explain to him, and he said no just play it, and then told me exactly how each banjo (I had several with old time modal tunings) was tuned and which ones were off

[@writerrad]

Pretty standard way of tuning by resonant vibration that used to be standard for professional musicians and music techs and can be extremely true. If you are tuning guitars all day and repairing guitars to get the right intonation all day for decades, you develop something like perfect pitch for whether a guitar is in tune. The inexpensive electronic tuners are a gift from Heaven before what we used to put up with with pitch pipes and all that crap--try tuning an autoharp with a pitch pipe lol--but they have ruined our ears and brains for ear tuning

[@yonkoff]

Sorcery! Good one!😂

[@thomascusik6109]

I've been playing for over 50 years and have never bought a tuner. I thank God for giving me a good ear. I love the guys on KZbin giving demos with a guitar out of tune. That is sorcery.

[@7exAnimo]

Came here after that awful Fender instruction video. Thanks! This is exactly what I needed!

[@arielsuave]

Haha!

[@glennwilson19]

Haha yea I left when he said two at a time...

[@richmahogany1]

had to go through 4 of the top videos before i found someone who actually said specifically how much slack to put on the strings instead of just "about this much." Also this is the only one that mentioned the treble strings needs more slack.

[@therealtinah]

@@glennwilson19 same!

[@Parksandsoul]

YOU. JUST. CHANGED. MY. LIFE!!! No joke!

[@drbrucehubbard]

I’m so glad I watch this. It is so smart and practical. I have been changing guitar strings for 50 years and had no idea how I have been consistently botching it. Thank you Taylor!

[@TrinhHarrison]

Thanks for the thorough instructions; very easy to follow.

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

I always keep coming back to Rob because I always forget where to cut the strings!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Instead you can just unwind the strings all the way & they'll pop off the posts.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Well it's easier now.

[@precisionbrown6829]

Well I always measure up to the A string and a hair

[@madcowusa4277]

Excellent. Hope to fix my kid's guitar before she notices I've been heavily playing it when she's at school.

[@williheckaslike]

I've been playing Guitar for years, and thought I knew how to change strings........ up to watching this..... Thank you Taylor Guitars

[@geoffprice1896]

Nicley done thankyou taylor guitars 😃

[@StephenRybacki]

The man has a magical ear to tune (perfectly) by a tuning fork!

[@taylorguitars]

@wirthwhilemusic hi, the tool we use is a standard B&D with a mod to increase the RPMs without increasing the torque. Hitachi makes a consumer model as does Ernie Ball.

[@jamesmccrackyn3547]

Taylor Guitars I'M VERY SORRY FOR BREAKING YOUR GUITAR, LAURIE BERKNER!

[@cindychapman7360]

Best video I have ever seen for changing strings, I was able to follow and change my strings on my Taylor mini no problem and I am a beginner, thanks a million!!!

[@tompearson4936]

This is the second restringing video I've seen where you "pros" use wire cutters to pull out the pegs. If you push the old string down into the peg hole, the peg comes out easily by hand and you don't risk scratching your guitar or pegs.

[@tjburr1968]

Good tip, looking forward to practicing it. T.Y.... I recently scratched my bridge using the cutters! Not because of the pros told me‐ I just impulsively used them as I was wrestling with a stubborn peg. First and last time I make that mistake hopefully.

[@ecomtechnet]

Yeah makes sense, I don’t want to scratch my 5k guitar though👍🏻

[@padrejohnruffle]

I've a peg-puller on my capo. Way to go!

[@johnpaolino7834]

Rob has the best video out there, changing strings. So easy. All the others were so confusing. I had a little trouble with the pins coming up ? I have a Taylor 512..light strings. Thank You Rob for a great job !!!!

[@gregwilliss5863]

Perfect instructional video, took me about an hour of rewinding the vid & rewatching while restringing to make sure I didn't miss anything. Guitar now sounds crisp as anything, gave the old girl a new lease of life. Thank you.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Just one caveat; if you are using ROUND CORE strings like Cleartones, do NOT clip the string before winding. Use the "kink" method he mentions, otherwise the wound strings will unravel.

[@modifeye1]

Thank you Rob. Excellent Instructions. By far the easiest, most effective way to change strings I have ever tried. Just restrung my Taylor 410 with the new recommended D'Addario XS strings. Tuned right up and sounds amazing.

[@TiagoOnYoutube]

This guy is a master at his craft

[@michael_caz_nyc]

This is Great. I recently purchased a 414ce-R ( love it ) and I'm wearing the strings-out, from Playing so much. Thanks for this informative video.

[@mikebastiat]

Shit, I always took off one or two strings at a time to keep some tension.. hmm. Probably doesn't matter for a few minutes.

[@ahmed_arsalan]

I always come back to this video whenever I'm changing my strings on the acoustic guitar 👍🏽

[@DavidJones-rh1hd]

This guy is an absolute MASTER of his craft. Wow! What a good video! Like many, I've watched hundreds of "how-to" videos on KZbin. This is a "Top Two Percent" video. Smart, insightful information. Good directions. Good visuals. Good SOUND! (So many videos have crappy sound.) I love the "stretching technique" he demonstrated - - I've never done it that way, but I WILL do it that way from now on. Congratulations, Rob (and Taylor) for a fabulous video!

[@bgflcn80]

Like previous comments stated, this is the video I always come back to when changing the strings on my Taylor acoustic guitar. It’s step-by step tutorial is easy to follow along with and allows for me to pause it during the process. Very thorough with great tips. And while Taylor has moved away from the Elixir brand of strings, I still use them for the best sound!

[@neildesperandum6114]

Four stretches. And make sure you’ve got a spare top E. When tuning, always finish by tuning up, not down. If your string’s sharp, detune below the note then tune back up to it.

[@gimpyjwilliams]

dont need to do 4

[@ThanatTantinam]

Could you make the lesson about How to set up the GS mini touching to be comfortable to play. I would be appreciated that. Thank you

[@jstevens501]

@Kaptain Kid you use extra lights? do you notice a lose of volume or quality of tone etc?

[@GilbertHerrera-sl7wt]

I wish I would have seen this twelve yrs ago. Thanks man.

[@karelkin9]

subscribed coz this guys used fork for tuning... magic

[@edoates]

Nice instructional video. Two observations: 1. WASH YOUR HANDS before you start. That will avoid getting oils all over the strings. You'll get enough of those anyway, but make sure your hands are clean, just as you would before you start playing. 2. In don't like using a cutter to remove the bridge pins. I suggest a bent nose pliers to avoid even slight cutter nicks in the pins. Ernie Ball make a tool called the Power Peg I use as a string winder. It's a right angle rather than a straight.

[@Fallfrozen]

Teaspoons are fine

[@garyschraa7947]

yeah , hell yeah that has got to be one of those jobs that is not only cool _____ you just love it like a child or like it's a best friend and your joined at the hip with it . best straight forward no non-sense instructions ever . very cool ty . . ( since ) my mouth is already running , I must admit any time the name taylor comes up I see tim 'the tool man' taylor on set of his 'tool time show' lol. and so the obvious spin here would be the new Binford 3000 guitar key winder the motor adapted from like a blender or something . I'm just thinking out loud . good video thx

[@123gorainy]

Great video, thanks to you I got up the courage to change the strings on my beautiful Taylor K22CE-12 Fret. Can you tell me the brand name of that string winder? By hand just doesn't get it. Thanks

[@mikealexander797]

Great video and terrific instructions by Rob. Keep in mind we are restringing so you may want to clean your neck and frets a bit. Use commercially available products for the neck cleaning and use some extra fine steel wool to clean your frets. With the strings off, its a good time to clean the neck, frets, and guitar in general.

[@spraym88]

GREAT HOW TO VIDEO!!! beginner here and you made it EASY for my 1st string change! THANKS

[@MrBurtonPE]

Wow love the post measuring trick, that was something that always seemed so hit or miss with me! Also that winder attachment, is that 3D printed?! too cool. THANKS for the video Taylor! (from a Martin player) EDIT -- Found a 3D printable string winder attachment --> www.thingiverse.com/thing:825681

[@wernerboden239]

I do one winding above and the rest below the insert. Oh ... I use a pencil, to lubricate the nut.

[@richardalan3204]

Your way is the best way.

[@wernerboden239]

@@richardalan3204 Thanks. I am not sure if there is a best way, but in the past 35 years, I never had any troubles with it, and it's a nice tight fit, so that the string does not get much out of tune. I am planning to build my own electric guitar, because I built a cnc milling machine for it. I found some tuning mechanisms that have a screw at the bottom. That's even better, imo.

[@taylorguitars]

@TaylorQualityGuitars Product name is B&D 3.6V Cordless Rechargeable Screwdriver MODEL # 9074CTN A

[@gurunghari]

what are the gauge of taylor of 114ce when it was in factory

[@jasonbear72]

@TaylorQualityGuitars What attachement do you get for the screwdriver to use on the guitar tuners? Is that something you buy at guitar shop? thanks! Jason

[@rolex3560]

WTF? Using that sharp metal "side cutter" to lift the pegs is no bueno! There are plastic string winders that have a slotted end to pull/lift the pegs from the bridge. Really? And this is Taylor? I have two Taylor acoustic electrics..........

[@LokeshThakur]

is one post and one and a half post the same as moving 1 fret and 1.5 fret?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

You should make Solid Body Electric Guitars again cause they're cool.

[@johnnyd529]

What is the string winder you are using?

[@silverjan02]

This tutorial is very useful not only for Taylor guitar but also other guitars :). Thank you, Rob !

[@UAL320]

Cutting the strings before winding is the way to go! Allow a post to a post and a half as he says and you cant go wrong. Makes the string soooo much easier to handle and less chance of scratching the guitar or yourself. Also, my tip is get a little mirror and double check your ball ends are indeed snug up against the bridge plate.

[@steveataylor3699]

You will increase your chances of that ball snug against the plate if you cut your Bridge pins on an angle... cheers

[@shermanericsf]

Rob, thank you for this video. I have an older Taylor, had never restrung a guitar, and went to countless other videos. Yours was by far the best and got me through it. Clear instructions I’m excited to play. Thanks a million!

[@Pazaluz]

My go to string change tutorial! Just changed the strings on my Taylor Academy 12e. It looks great with this technique!

[@jeremia5425]

Came across this going down a rabbit hole of boredom. Got some strings yesterday and followed the steps. Took me 10 minutes and the new strings are perfectly in tune. Great video and I’ll be doing it just like this from now on

[@rayblanks9669]

I was a nervous wreck at the thought of changing strings on my new 2015 Taylor 914ce. This video was amazing! I followed it to the tee step-by-step and it came out amazing. When the strings were all off, I polished the whole guitar and oiled the fretboard with Taylor polish and fret board conditioner. I went down one gauge to 10's and it plays much easier with no buzzing. Thanks, Rob!!!

[@sicopr2003]

+Ray Blanks what strings did you have and what do you have now?

[@JohnShalamskas]

Taylors at the 800 and 900 level usually come with Elixir HD lights, which are light on the treble (unwound) strings and medium on the bass (wound) strings. That way you get plenty of low midrange and easy bending on the upper midrange.

[@lisascott2841]

I just broke my D string tuning to open E lastnight. Im always nervous when changing strings especially after only having my new ibanez talman electric/accoustic a week then breaking a string haha. I bought a string winder lastnight so hopefully i can do this when my new strings i ordered arrive soon. I got a 9-45 gauge pack cause i dont like the thickness of the ones that came with it

[@douglasbright134]

I would never use side cutters to remove bridge pins

[@gimpyjwilliams]

i do

[@rjardine99]

This is the the best tutorial available on string replacement. Now my guitars are easier to tune and stay in tune longer. Thank you!

[@gs3173]

You are a brilliant teacher Rob Magargal. Taylor is lucky to have you

[@MrJeffo46]

I got a new, Big Baby Taylor in on Sunday, which I bought from Sweetwater. I'm 63 and have 50 years experience as a player and my BBT sounds awesome. I'm going to take the stock strings off today and replace them with some Martin Phosphor Bronze which are the same gauge ( 12-54 ). I'll try this method because the standard under and over, does not always guarantee tuning stability IMO.

[@lancebarbarino8178]

Love my Taylor but she'd the 12's for 11's . Just a little less boom but my fingers are much happier

[@MrJeffo46]

@@lancebarbarino8178 When I got my new Big Baby in last weekend, I sanded down just a bit, the stock bridge saddle and my fingers are happy too. There's no need to change the string gauge if you try this , along with using a Taylor Truss wrench to set the neck. If you're not comfortable doing this, a qualified luthier will be more than happy to take care of it for you.

[@tomaslopez9278]

Helpful video, I'm going to try this method out, since I prefer it from a standpoint of being easier to follow than some other guides I've seen. Thanks!

[@SuperJ333]

I have watched so many videos by guitar techs who for some reason string up 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - why? If you put the 3rd string on before the 1st and 2nd strings it gets in the way - how come nobody, and I mean professionals, haven't spotted this? It's obviously way best to string the shortest strings first, and so to the longer, and the correct order is therefore 6, 5, 4, 1, 2, 3 wake up guys!

[@silverdragon0000120]

I wish they came with locking hipshot tuners instead of GOTOH. GOTOH is Japanese lol hipshot is American. I like hipshot more than GOTOH since nobody sells them in the USA and finding some custom ones are a huge ordeal and sometimes the normal ones are only for like fender or Gibson. I have some hipshot locking tuners on my 7 string mayones. I want locking tuners on the Taylor I’m going to buy. I love you Taylor Guitars

[@bjornjensen906]

do you have to use that tool to wound up the strings? or can I just use my hand to wound them up.

[@taylorguitars]

Yeah you can use your hand, or a more simple hand winder tool.

[@garyschraa7947]

I would be remiss if I didn't brag about one of those rare moments_____ like this . as a stage hand at the Hanford fox theater during a brad paisley concert I had just enough time . . . and luck to watch brads guitar guy string 5 guitars . very impressive skills . He strung and tuned all 5 guitars to concert ready state in about 15min. ( I'm guessing ) but he blocked everything and everybody out , somehow , including me and I was probably teetering there all slack jawed . snot leaking from my nose and drulling . I don't even know the guy was like a jedi or something .

[@writerrad]

these techs are like nascar or indy racing pit crew people. Most people do things on their jobs that they wouldnt think anyone could do before they learn the gig and then put some years in.

[@Victor.Herbert]

Nice video! One question: why do we have to put the lines of the strings below one another (on the tuners)? I was doing the other way around. Thank you so much!

[@ShadowFan765]

I use this method on all my guitars with the 3 + 3 headstock configuration, regardless if it's a Martin, Gretsch, or even a Taylor lol. Never had any tuning issues since.

[@tonythomas8937]

thanks that was my next question. I dont have a Taylor, but a Martin and a Custom made Mike Long Dred, not a taylor

[@julesbyrne304]

Great video, especially loked yhe string stretching segment, very helpful

[@toneman335]

what strings and guage do you use?

[@djw0051]

QUESTION: When you come to treble strings, why not start with the HIGH E ?? That way maybe the B and G strings would be free and more easy to install??? Maybe it's not a big deal anyway... Just my 2 cents...

[@Col_MULLY]

My only suggestion is to not use wire cutters to pull your bridge pins. This guy obviously knows what he's doing and can get away with it.

[@alsautner1732]

That was the best I have ever seen....! Very good.

[@clwilli]

wish I had never seen this video...tried tightening the post as directed and my cheap guitar post stripped right off. Be careful.

[@Alex-m8515]

Oh wow that sucks man!

[@thewailinwonder]

Like EVERY other Taylor video on guitar set up and adjustment, NOTHING about the special steps needed to change an ES2 equiped guitar. In fact there's a general paucity of information on ES2 changes except for the woefully inadequate spec sheet for the system with its dark and unviewable pictures.

[@dukeofearl4117]

I’ve seen many different processes of putting the strings on. This is the best method. I like how you did the different types of guitars.

[@q4991]

In 30 years, never had Anyone Show Me a True 'Method'. Well cutting the wires First is Everything I needed, been doing this Since I first saw This 5 years ago and Never got less than Perfect results!! AND i'm Done in 20 min. The Key thing *here* is to Cut the damn strings Before 'Winding'. And Holding them down near the pegs while winding.

[@unreliableentertainment]

My pins keep slipping 😢 & this is my first time restringing this guitar (Taylor Baby) and when I looked at the bridge pins they look wrapped and I'm kind of freaking out, cause the pins aren't being held down...

[@JJT007hero]

Thnx so much! Would you also recommend-stringing and electric guitar with this same method ? Also, when restringing my acoustic I noticed a tiny bump in the first ring of wraps on my B string, I guess I wasn’t pulling hard enough, will this result in string slippage ?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The way Martin Restrings their Guitars is different because they lock the strings into place, and when you go to change them, they'll just pop right outta the posts. Any good method of restringing from any Guitar company will work with any Guitar.

[@garrywhipple7558]

Ive been putting my strings like thi9s since this video came out. Perfect. It looks like the manufacturer put my strings on. perfect way to do this.

[@robertchappell674]

A very helpful video. I've had 12 strings for many years, and always had issues re-stringing (the top G). Having changed my stringing technique, I've avoided lots of problems. I really enjoy my Taylor 150e.

[@adachan7589]

One of the middle strings on my Taylor 224e-k-dlx snapped loose from the tuning post. I was a bit disappointed. Justin Guitar taught it better to have a round of the string above the loose end. Umm, not to mention when I bought the guitar new from Tomlee, the tuning pegs already had stains and rusts. A bit too much disappointment for an overpriced guitar.

[@WScott-gd2mj]

Agree with many below...smoothest vid I've seen on this, even a decade on...thanks Taylor!

[@nicholin02]

You don't want the guitar to be fully tuned up on each string. Let all the strings wound up as it gets more tension, what it does is we need all of the strings to be sitting down properly on the nut and the saddle (with the correct string gauge and all that). DO NOT TUNE IT ALL THE WAY UP deal with the strings first before you tune the guitar.

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

Really enjoyed this video,hope you have a lovely 2022@stay safe debs

[@Brembelia]

Have a new Taylor 812ce. Pls make a video for properly stringing the slotted head. Ty.

[@kevingill648]

After watching this video I think it's the best acoustic restring I've ever seen! I do it this way from now on, thank you.

[@texhaines9957]

Still goes too fast for my legally blind eyes. Without tying a lutherier knot, have these things come back at me. Can he show me how to do this if he's blindfolded...puts him about equal to my sight.

[@kieranarth]

Superb! An excellent approach that was very clearly explained - worked really well for me. Thank you 😊!

[@bladerunner6282]

"... i'll show you how simple it is to restring your acoustic guitar...." first thing he shows you is a guitar already trussed up in an expensive guitar vice with his hand wielding a $200.00 electric drill with a special tuner bit attached. then fails to mention that the pegs (if there are pegs) can be grasped in at least two places by a pair of side cutters, one of which can permanently mar the peg, if not done with care.

[@TheGoodMemoryFactory]

wow. jaws just dropped watching you restring that puppy.

[@Misiwall]

Doesn't removing all the strings at once cause sudden trauma to the neck and cause it to arch?

[@Douglas-vw3qn]

I’m reading through the comments because this is the same question I had.

[@flyerphil]

Thanks Jeff, easy to follow and to the point. Nice tip regarding cutting the string pre wind on, and saves a lot of hassle I find. Came back here for the instruction after many years since last visit Great job

[@bryanchapman4779]

Masterfully done. Thank you. What I learned from this video (that seemed to be missing from others on the same topic); (1) giving the highest 3 strings a little extra slack to avoid future breakage (3 wraps around the post); and (2) the manual stretch by hand - Brilliant. Thank you so very much. A great video for sure.

[@TotalEvo7]

The yellow thing is a Zap-It string winder. That's a separate item, you can get it at any music store

[@johnlydick9173]

Thank you. This video gave me the confidence to re-string my Academy 12e. Turned out great.

[@chrisarrogante]

i have a new taylor gs mini. i think you were the dude who worked on mine. shipped and received strings in perfection!!

[@carloforniacation]

Extra did a 15 min research to find this specific video again after i forgot how much longer I should cut the strings

[@ursoreal2me]

A440

[@nickgoogle4525]

Regarding te slotted headstock: you state "wind from the inside to the outside". This makes sense for both the E-strings, but for the other strings winding to the inside makes the strings go in a much straighter way with less friction on the nut. So that seems to me much more logic than the way described here (without any explanation why one should wind to the outside). Also for the top strings (B and E) 1 1/2 post length difference seems a bit short, because those strings have less friction. In that case I think using two post lenght as a difference can help to prevent slipping and get a stable tuning quicker!?

[@vijayr6695]

Easiest way to restring the guitar without the need of a knot or winding the string with hand etc. Thank you Sir ! Professional method and clear easy way of explanation+demonstration.

[@IAreFranco]

Cracking guide. I've been changing my strings like a schmuck for two decades

[@brbob4934]

I like this method better than the Martin way of looping it around... Dude has a killer ear for tune, too. This was impressive to be a string changing video!

[@jseigle]

This is a great video especially for newbies, but I would never bang a tuning fork on a hard surface like that. You could bend a tine.

[@FURFEELINGS_3]

I just want his wonder where can I find one like that? I’ve seen the drill style ones I want a straight one!

[@Easternborders]

This tutorial helped me tremendously , I have a Taylor acoustic and would have struggled without this video, I folwed it to the letter, tightening the post nuts etc, also using Elixer strings, it now rings like a bell. Thank You.

[@allentyler2184]

Just push the string back down the hole and keep those sides cutters away from the wood. Long time Taylor owner.

[@natertater1978]

Am i the only one who doesnt like using side cutters to remove the pins?....to me its unessecary..all ya have to do is push the string down into the holes...pins come right out..and you dont risk knicking ur guitar up...if i seen someone taking side cutters to my bridge...i would smack the shit out of em lol jus sayin

[@johnshader4287]

I always wondered why it was called a tuning fork. That was amazing to me.

[@jsbt1977]

A great informative video! Where do I get that string winder attachment for a battery powered screwdriver? Your string winder looks like it has protective cover of some type on it.