FretSpider!

Restringing your guitar is actually fairly straightforward and easy. By the end of this lesson you should be able to confidently identify how your strings are set up and how to change them like a guitar tech! My steps to changing guitar strings are extremely simple and easy to follow.

Changing a guitar string doesn’t take long at all, one string can normally be replaced within a minute. Strings must be changed when they get old and lose their tonal brightness, when greasy fingers have left acidic deposits on them for too long, and of course when you snap them.

Choosing your strings is a personal preference. Usually your local guitar or music shop will be happy to help. There are many different thicknesses or ‘gauges’ that you can choose from. Thicker, heavy gauge strings are stiffer and stronger, they won’t snap as often and they have a strong tone. Thinner, light gauge strings are a lot thinner and more delicate, they are great for bends, solos, slides, and most intricate techniques but they usually won’t last as long. It is all about choosing a happy medium and finding what suits your style. I normally go for XL strings as they have a long life and a bright sound.

Click here for my steps to changing acoustic guitar strings.

Click here for my steps to changing electric guitar strings.