How to String an Acoustic Guitar

[@rensb9214]

Always the hardest part is explained for 3 seconds

[@vasiix9282]

Facts bro gotta replay it or slow it down

[@NatureGirl62]

This is the best guidance I’ve found! I truly appreciate this thoughtful video. Coincidentally, a few days after coming across this, I was searching online for vintage bridge pins for my father’s old guitar that he most likely obtained in the late 1940s to mid 1950s. Two of the pins had broken and I wanted to get the guitar out of storage and see if I could bring it back to life. It turned out that it was your company that had exactly what I needed! I’ve now put a new set of strings on with your instructions and your bridge pins! I think my dad is smiling from somewhere up above. 😄

[@robandjulie21]

The "Wrap Strings & Wind to Tension" is the simplest method and the most succinctly explained of any video I have seen. Also love how this video is broken into sections. Great work!

[@damianbugg7324]

Pllpc

[@hr_soli]

Listened to the Fender guy and it went bad with the pre-cut method. Listened to this guy and voila! The knot technique did the thing and I managed to do it in the first try. Thank you StewMac!

[@User-fs9iy]

Almost followed the fender guy, u just saved me 😂

[@Jramos93]

Honestly the BEST restring video I have seen. Instructions were clear.

[@MichaelJamesWood]

This is the best stringing video on KZbin that I've found. I use the above and below method as well to clamp the string in place. Removing them later is also easy and doesn't create a kink like the luthiers knot does. Great for gigs!

[@eolden7749]

I really like: keeping the pins in order. The way he wraps the strings on the pegs. Super. Thanks.

[@RickMichaelis63]

Most people really don’t even know how to do this simple process yet still want to learn to play guitar so I think it’s a great video for you to teach those people

[@TheMotoKing]

One of the best videos out there. Just helped me out. Been years since I strung a guitar. The 2003 Flying V is all strung up 🎸.

[@user-rn3mh2jq1h]

Why is every english video so straight forward? Honestly, I got an attic guitar from a friend which I wanted to restring, as a beginner. Similar videos in german are 4-times longer, not showing any knowledge at all. Thank you for sharing all I wanted to know. I hope the second set of strings will survive without PTSD. 🤣

[@gembaguy6370]

Hands down best video on how to change your strings! I have watched so many in order to learn best way… most are confusing…. this one is broken down into sections with excellent visuals and explanations. We’ll done, StewMac team!!

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

Hi. This is Shreepad from Bharat (India). I wanted to replace the strings of my 12-string guitar after continuing to use it for 4 months after purchasing it. Am glad for watching this video due to its step by step guiding bullets. Liked the way you handle the pins that hold the string on the body. Had never thought of inserting the hand and placing it rightly. Nice. Also the way you wind it on the tuning pegs is the best part. After trying your ways the strings look so much in order. Am really pleased to see my own stringing. Much appreciated and thank you so much.

[@stewmac]

You're welcome, Shreepad!

[@scythe9435]

It's just 'India' ffs. Don't include Bharat

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

@@scythe9435 Your choice. I have made my choice clear above. So stay happy. God bless.

[@atulmishra9947]

This video is absolutely accurate. I am a beginner and I cannot i managed to change the guitar strings on my own just with the help of this video. Just want to add one caution: While pushing the bridge pins from down, make sure you push it straight up, else the bridge pin can bend and break.

[@foxhound5702]

That's one benefit of using brass pins =P

[@markschultheis9522]

Great tutorial Aaron. I have been doing my own strings for 40 years and still learned a thing or two watching. Thanks for learning!

[@born2push]

Lots of valuable info. Well presented. For more advanced technique i recommend a few more wraps to pull the strings down at a sharper angle. The high strings need more wraps to accomplish this because they are smaller diameter.

[@jamagnus21]

I saw this video once before, and swore I'd come back to it...Tonight I'm stringing my guitar and want to thank you for your help, in advance. Much appreciated!

[@claudiagreen2596]

Wahoo!!! Why did I think it would be difficult? Thanks for the detail instructions!!!

[@DavyDave1313]

Calm down mario

[@donaldthomas3173]

Huge help, I've been re stringing my own guitars for almost 30 years and your video just made my life easier.

[@stewmac]

That's great news! Happy we could help. 👍

[@Yarrayyyy73]

Great video, only one i could find that actually explained how to wrap the string around the peg!

[@xxshcxx]

Ive messed up my strings & gotten pricked nastily a few times with this method. I found it better to wind then cut off string when done, rather than cut for "slack," wind, then cut again after. ✌️

[@foxhound5702]

Directions too confusing... accidentally put bass guitar strings on my ukelele

[@Stressed-d4n]

I ordered a wrong strings for my acoustic guitar too I feel youn😭

[@joeydodge2624]

@foxhound5702 Lenny and Sqiugy are rocket scientist's compared to you two. @DARK_SOUL_X7A

[@Humandotexe]

😂😂

[@ryanmcyuh]

Fire

[@kdinkc]

🤣

[@osricen]

Wish I watched this video before trying to change my new guitar's strings and ruining them! There goes $10 and some scratches. 🤣😭 Thanks for the video!! You make it look really easy, but I trust this is gonna work 100%. I'm gonna buy a new pack and try this later today. Wish me luck!

[@stewmac]

Good luck! You've got this.

[@osricen]

@@stewmac It went very well that day! This method is really good! THANKS!! It'd be great if you could make a video, in the future, about winding the thinner strings. The thicker ones were very easy to do, but the two thinner ones were a little of a pain (they tend to want to jump out of the tuner and off the circle when winding). 🤗

[@mmxcix]

I've a Taylor guitar and this was a better tutorial than the manufacturer's tutorial, on account that they have a close up video of the string measuring and winding instead of just describing it to you. 👏🏼Taylor Guitars' tutorial was just there to sell you tools they use for replacing guitar strings.🙄

[@russseuffert803]

Great, siimple guide ! I viewed your video as a refresher course since it's been some time that I last string my six string. Whanksell done and t

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

Today I restringed by 12 string guitar. Very happy one more time as it turned out more good than my last attempt (had acknowledged then too). Thanks again. ❤

[@SC-bg8wf]

Great, very easy to follow. There must be a lot of players who aren’t aware of all these useful tips. Thanks.

[@Bloomiedays]

This video is the most simple tutorial I have found!! Thank you so much! I’m excited to learn everything, I just strung my first guitar

[@lantose]

Great video! I was praying I would find one under 8 -12 minutes without all the unnecessary info! But this was short, sweet and to the point!

[@MrSH1982]

Thank you! I'm embarrassed to say how much I needed that.

[@radionowandthen]

Just used this with my electric winder on my 6 string acoustic. Worked great. Next stop, my 12 string!

[@Lambsaucedribs]

Thanks for the easy tutorial. I appreciate how you suggested Stew Mac items but also gave alternatives. Easy like + sub

[@stewmac]

Thanks for the sub!

[@nufsteve]

Very helpful, hadn’t heard or thought about seating the strings from inside before. Thanks very much!

[@tubeball123]

Thank you very much. This is a very good video that shows a clear and straightforward method of changing strings in less than 5 minutes.

[@claudeball1981]

Great instructional video! Easy to follow, understand, and at a great pace. Thank you sir!

[@erichuff6945]

I'm surprised you didn't mention Stew Macs new string stretcher. Good job, the most important part is cutting the excess string. Those curled strings at the headstock irritates me.

[@born2push]

Brilliant!

[@skyllo]

Thank you so much. This is so helpful. I’ve always wondered how much slack I need for tightening the strings. Now I know.

[@umliqlmao-oz5ih]

actually the best video i’ve seen on this tbh. great job!

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

what happens when you get to the tuners at the end, how do you get the spacing for the slack on the string?

[@fretfix1]

Spot on...but then again, it's Stew Mac.

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

Very nicely done, and I'm ashamed to admit, I needed that! 😄

[@Scottocaster6668]

Who still cringes when turning the high E to pitch?? Yep, me too.

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

Me too.

[@rockoc7590]

HAHA! Guilty after 30 years of playing...

[@glendoggett9670]

I cringe when I bring the high octave G up to pitch on my 12 string!

[@jamesbindler3633]

I’ve been doing this wrong for 50 years. At least I’ll do it right going forward! Thank you.

[@ao-nf1gb]

Thank u so much only video I’ve found that was actually extremely helpful

[@Mikerich_94]

Thanks. Clear and to the point with good tips!

[@Jeff034]

done thousands of these - but hey - I saw something new! Thanks

[@puddlepeddler]

Very well done! Informative, and Aaron gives a professional presentation. I learned a lot. Thanks!

[@mrdm3966]

Got Tutorial Video. Short,Sharp and Sweet and Explained Perfectly.

[@johnkane5401]

Great video, helped me immensely! Thank you!

[@ervinselimovic4888]

Thank you, I just did it for the first time 😎

[@stewmac]

We're glad you found this helpful! The exact reason we make these videos.

[@rol82y]

Great video, I was able to successfully restring my guitar after watching this. Thank you

[@Dist0001]

1:50 How do I know which string goes in which spot?

[@e_xcalibur578]

Either read the package they might have color coded ball ends or come in seperately labeled small packets otherwise grab two similar strings and hold them near the ball end and the string which hangs lower is the lighter string because it doesn't support the same weight as much

[@JamesNewsomeCaiLeighAnna]

Love StewMac tutorial videos because they professionally done with closeups at the right time. Also, they are informative and as short as possible. There are lots of good homemade videos and some from very good luthiers but they go on and on and on and on (kind of like this comment if you get my drift).

[@OilCanHarry2U]

Perfect! No need to “lock” the string by intruding a knot.

[@guitarwithbob]

Thanks for the great video, StewMac. Concise, informative & no-nonsense! Pushing the bridge pins from the bottom is a nice tip. Was certainly not expecting to see a wallet used but the removal was super smooth. Will be trying this out the next time I'm restringing. Keep up the good work ;)

[@Jimmie567]

Still don't know which end of the string goes where,,,is it the thin wire part wrapped around the top plug, or is it under the fret at the bottom?/????

[@ahmedkanna385]

best video out there on changing strings

[@stevemorris2364]

Nice video man. Working on my first guitar and this was very helpful. Thank you

[@ΝικόλαςΚατσαρέλης]

Best tutorial ever! i manged to install the new strings and my sheeran by lowden w04 sounds beautiful. Thank you so much!

[@countryslicers]

The wallet idea was clutch!👏I could not get my bridge pins up at first but I used a spatula once I heard of your wallet idea LOL😂 I was desperate to change these strings as I have not changed them since I bought the guitar 12 years ago!😮

[@silent_ranger8626]

Do you have to remove all the strings at once?

[@dalemyers775]

thank you man i was having a hard time good help thank you

[@sisco0304]

so i have GBE strings that are light medium new and can i put those on with the medium bass strings on my acustic guitar just intel i get to guitar center in 3 days for restrings

[@countryslicers]

Very thorough! I appreciate the help!😄

[@davidmoore-xu6od]

Very good advice how2 restring a acoustic guitar

[@bobthebomb1596]

I still can't play but I now consider myself a real guitarist as I just pushed the top E straight through my finger 😂 Cut the string too close to the bridge and the remnant fell inside, reached in to retrieve it and.....! Mental note, DO NOT CUT THE STRINGS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRIDGE.

[@seanbrown7659]

Thank you for this! Should this work the same for a nylon string guitar? In particular, the technique for threading the string though the peg, wrapping, and winding? I'm concerned that maybe it won't hold for nylon.

[@dixtysk2392]

I got a guitar passed down from my cousin, and she said she hasn't touched it in a while. The strings are bronze and are green on the bottom part, toward the fingerboard. I really want to clean the neck too. I have been playing on it for 5 months now, should i change the strings? My mom tells me no, but what does she know.

[@ianhallam9308]

Great. Absolutely the best, most comprehensive and absolutely correct way to change guitar strings.

[@jadonis_pro5523]

When restringing my guitar, some strings were in tune before I even looped it around a full time. Is this a problem? If so how do I fix it?

[@Malc664]

It is, did you cut the string? May need a new string. How did you go anyway. My reply is two months late.

[@paulmacintyre9625]

Best video for the job on KZbin. Well done dude.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I use power pins which make restringing a Snap

[@gammydebbie]

Very straightforward, ready to get going!

[@Malc664]

First class demonstration. Thanks .

[@SoundMtn]

Very well done. However, my understanding is/was that it's not wise to take off all the strings at once. because the guitar neck goes from full tension to no tension. Would love some feedback on this.

[@stewmac]

Hey Keith! I have definitely heard this before. More often than not, taking the strings completely off is not bad for the guitar. This happens ALL the time in busy repair shops. Some guitar necks are totally weird though, so it's not impossible that taking the strings off completely can change something in the shape of the fretboard. Just keep in mind it's always good to check your truss rod after a string change/repairwork and respect older instruments who's rod might not be in the best shape anymore!

[@bindig1]

I have Guitar Tuna (yes, Tuna) app my phone. Free and works great. I've used it for years

[@Brent-iv9ei]

Well done

[@JimmyDeSanta-g2k]

Thank you Chris Pratt 🙏🙏

[@lexzbuddy]

Mig weld them on then tighten them up. Job done! Alternatively tie them in a double knot and make sure there are at least 10 or 20 wraps. Sorry, just kidding around. I actually feed the string through then wrap bend it back onto the string on the entry side. As you tighten the string, the tail gets trapped under the string as you tune up. I used to do it the way you showed. Yes, its easier to remove the strings your way. Yes, it is slightly quicker to change strings your way. Unfortunately, they don't always stay in tune as consistently well as they do the way I do them. My way is a pain in the back side to take them off but, I do it myself so there's nobody to complain about that but me and I'm happy to put up with the inconvenience. I have 10 guitars that need lots of TLC and once you get into the habit of doing it this way, it really doesn't take any more time. Just keep some small pliers handy to get the string off the post.

[@terryjohinke8065]

I have always had one string on top and other winds and the clamp you talk about means you don't need a set of locking tuners. Stretching is also important and you are ready to go.

[@genuinsanity]

Thanks ,learned a lot !

[@usernamemykel]

Excellent, especially the camerawork.

[@thesportsjunkie4827]

Great video bruh

[@andysmith8789]

well done and thank you

[@coppertime]

Nice

[@rubencriviDT]

Awesome! More videos like this please!

[@GeriWardMusic]

super cover 😊

[@ralphmemmolo7777]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@luckyjem2280]

I got my first guitar today and was tu ning it and the string snapped .. Can i just replace 1 string ? ( E string)

[@Malc664]

Sounds like old strings are they? A full set is cheap if they're old. You can buy strings one at a time. I use ebay.

[@brettneuberger6466]

Am I missing something here?? He said all tuners should turn in the same direction. Yet, If the strings run on the inside of the post, the knobs on either side have to turn opposite each other....Counterclockwise to tighten base strings, clockwise to tighten treble. Of course, I don’t have that issue with my Fender as it’s a straight pull for all strings I was going a bit mad trying to follow his direction. Please tell me if I’m off base.

[@OneEyedGhoul84]

its counterclockwise for either side, its a perspective thing. Looking at them head on they turn the same direction, if you are looking at it from a playing perspective then the other side appears to be going clockwise.

[@Diandredofus]

Yes, they do have to turn in opposite directions. You know why though? That makes it so you can always tighten a string by pushing with your thumb against the tuning head and loosen it by pulling with your index. Keeps the movement consistent while making sure the strings don't touch each other at the headstock. No matter if it's a top or bottom string. Also, they're not called knobs. Never call them that if you don't wanna be ridiculed :D

[@SC-bg8wf]

To tighten a string turn the tuning knob anti clockwise. This is anti clockwise when you look from the tuning knob towards the headstock. If you imagine the tuning knobs were screws, screwed into the headstock and you were removing them with a screwdriver, it’s the same thinking. So removing the screw tightens the string, driving in the screw loosens the string. I hope that makes sense.

[@roberthancock2563]

Great video! This method keeps my guitars in tune very good! Thanks!

[@abunyashka]

Please tell how to string steel acoustic guitar with slotted headstock.

[@romeotabarangao8977]

Can i just replace 1 string?

[@xeon2773]

yeah

[@dgtv743]

Just got my new strings ... Didnt leave slack .well back to the shop i go hahaha

[@Le_Philippe]

perfect thank you =) my guitar and me are happy

[@heavenstomurgatroyd7033]

Excellent!

[@le_th_]

Thank you so much! This is sooooo helpful!

[@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces]

Y'all don't have a Stew Mac stew broth for cleaning the fret board?😆

[@imagecarpenter]

Maybe it would be useful if you stated which way to turn the knobs to tighten the strings as I messed up the second part due to insufficient info and assumption we know WHICH direction to turn them on either side to 'continue' the tuning up.

[@DerektheGuitarist]

thank you!

[@MusiCloudxx]

Ty for this video, because i broke the string on the first day 😂