After heavy use of your guitars, dirt and oil from the hands will build up on the strings, but don’t worry because changing acoustic guitar strings is easy. Once the strings wear down, they will stop vibrating properly and when this happens, it is time to change the strings of the guitar. If not, the strings will sound dull and lifeless. Below are some things to remember in changing acoustic guitar strings.
When replacing the strings of a guitar, the things required are a set of replacement strings depending on the guitar, a string winder which is optional but it will make the changing of strings easier, a clean cloth to clean other parts of the guitar and pliers for cutting excess length of the new strings. You’ll want to get these things ahead of time when you’re changing acoustic guitar strings.
There are several choices of guitar strings available on the market to use when you change guitar strings. Some of them are the Elixir, DAddario and Martin. People debate about what the best acoustic guitar strings are but these are the top 3 brands.
Elixir Guitar Strings
There are two choices of guitar strings when it comes to Elixir, the NANOWEB coating and the POLYWEB coating. The Nanoweb coating is more like the traditional and uncoated string. It is thin and bright and lively. On the other hand, the Polyweb coating has a balanced tone, smooth and reduces finger squeak. The coating of Elixir guitar strings are designed to prevent corrosion and damage on the strings after a long time of use, very handy on the process of changing acoustic guitar strings. These strings will work fine for flat picking, folk strumming, finger style and even country or rock music and is easy to install when you are changing guitar strings.
D’Addario Guitar Strings
Originating from Long Island, New York, D’addario is one of the leading string manufacturers in the world. The D’addario acoustic guitar strings are available in the choices of 80/20 bronze, phosphor bronze, EXP coated 80/20 bronze, Flat Top semi flat phosphor bronze, silver plated copper wound gypsy jazz sets, nylon and silk & steel folk guitar and more. They are also compatible to use with the simple steps of changing acoustic guitar strings.
Usually referred to as brass wound, the 80/20 bronze wound are known for their bright and vibrant tone and are usually favored by traditionalists because of historical significance. If you want to know how to change guitar strings with the EPX, these strings will do the job well. The EPX on the have a very thin layer of EXP coating bonded on the wrap wire. The coating is a protection against premature wear and corrosion. The Silk & Steel acoustic strings are copper wire and silk platted with silver. It feels easier and softer to the fingers and has a mellower tone than other guitar strings.
C. F. Martin & Company
The C. F. Martin & Company is widely known for their steel-string guitars and it also has a line of acoustic guitar strings among others. There are three choices of guitar strings for the Martin brand. The Superior Performance (SP), the Daily Play and the Darco which is Value without Compromise. If you are interested to know how to change guitar strings, Martin strings are very convenient and easy to use.
Changing Acoustic Guitar Strings
If you’ve ever wondered how to change guitar strings easily, here are the simple instructions in changing acoustic guitar strings.
- Remove the strings one at a time
- Remove the old string then take the new string, unfold it, seed the end to the hole in the bridge, push the pin of the new string inside and secure it
- Pull the new string tight to be sure it is seated, tug it a little bit and ensure that the pin does not pop back out
- Pull about one frets back on the string to have ample play of the string below
- Take the other end of the string and loop it upwards to the three other tuners
- Pull tight and let the string crimp over itself
- Put the string in the tuning peg and start winding
- Tune the string to pitch, a tuner is usually recommended
- Cut off the excess strings with pliers, but leave a little enough to crimp the string back over the top
Watch this video for more instruction:
Its simple! That’s how to change guitar strings. These steps are ideal for those who have not yet mastered the process of how to change guitar strings. After some time and more practice, you will good at the process and you’ll find changing acoustic guitar strings as easy as 1,2,3!