8,720
edits
Changes
m
===== Attaching one end to the bridge =====
===== Locking tuners =====
===== Non-locking tuners =====
=====Slipping=====
→Putting New Strings on
Now for restringing...we are going to repeat the process in reverse.
If you have a Floyd Rose style bridge, cut the ball ends off the string, and clamp them into the bridge saddles using an allen wrench - make sure you have them clamped nice and tight.
If you have another style bridge, thread the non-ball-end part of the string through the appropriate hole in the rear side of the bridge (or the body). You should see it protrude through the bridge and saddle hole on the front side of the guitar (or body). Pull it all the way through so the ball end is held firmly inside the bridge.
If your guitar does not have locking tuners, skip to the next section. If your guitar has a string tree, thread the string under the string tree. Thread it through the appropriate tuner peg hole, and grip it on the other side with your left hand. Pull the string so it is pretty tight. Make sure the string falls in the correct nut groove and is under any applicable string tree. Lock/clamp the string in the locking tuner. Tighten the string to pitch - you shouldn't need to tighten the tuning peg more than 3/4 turn (which is about 12 turns of the tuning knob). If you need to do more turns, you probably didn't tighten it enough before clamping it - start over. Skip the next section for non-locking tuners.
If your guitar has a string tree, thread the string under the string tree. Thread it through the appropriate tuner peg hole, and grip it on the other side with your left hand. Don't pull it totally tight yet. Put your right hand on top of the 12th fret, as though you are karate chopping the neck in half. Pull the string with your left hand until the string tightens, pressing against the thumb side of your right hand. '''You want the string to have a little slack before you start to wind the tuner.'''
If you have a locking nut, don't clamp the strings yet. Wait until all strings have been replaced and they are all in-tune.
Sometimes when you get close to being in tune, the string will slip. This can either occur at the bridge or the tuning peg. If it slips from a Floyd style bridge, you will have to unwind the tuner a bit to get more length to the string and re-clamp it - make sure you have enough of the string in the block and are tightening the block hard enough. Also make sure the clamp block itself is not damaged, preventing it from working properly. For a Stratocaster style bridge, sometimes the ball end catches on part of the bridge before getting all the way to the place it's supposed to be. Just keep tightening the tuning peg. If the string slipped at the tuning peg, you basically have to start over - unwind the string until you can repinch it and start winding again. Some people may say to tie a knot in the string on the peg. I think it's unnecessary - I've only had the string slip off the peg a handful of times. If you follow the advice about starting with a karate chop's worth of slack, get a good pinch on the peg, keep tension while tuning up, and make sure each wind rests under than the prior one, it should not slip.