How to Change Guitar Strings: Step-by-Step for Beginners

Old strings sound dull, feel grimy, and won’t stay in tune. Changing strings is basic guitar maintenance that every player needs to learn - and once you’ve done it a few times, it takes under 10 minutes.

Many beginners avoid changing strings because it seems intimidating. What if I put the wrong strings on? What if I break something? What if I can’t get them back in tune? Relax - here’s the complete guide, step by step.

When to Change Strings

Change your strings when any of these are true:

They sound dull and lifeless (compare to a new string - the difference is obvious)
They feel rough or gunky under your fingers
They won’t stay in tune no matter how much you tune
They’re visibly corroded or discolored
It’s been more than 4-6 weeks of regular playing

Professional players change strings before every gig. Casual players should aim for every 2-4 weeks with regular playing, or every 1-2 months with light use.

What You Need

A new set of strings (see string selection guide below)
A string winder (optional but saves time - $3)
Wire cutters or strong scissors
A soft cloth for cleaning while strings are off
A tuner (use Guitar Wiz)

Acoustic Guitar: Step by Step

Step 1: Remove the Old Strings

Loosen each string by turning its tuning peg until the string is slack
Remove the string from the tuning peg (unwrap it)
Remove the bridge pin (the plastic or bone peg holding the string in the bridge) - push it from inside the sound hole or use a bridge pin puller
Pull the string out from the bridge hole
Repeat for all six strings

Tip: Some players change one string at a time to maintain neck tension. Others remove all strings at once to clean the fretboard. Both approaches are fine for standard guitar maintenance.

Step 2: Clean While Strings Are Off

With the strings removed, use a dry or slightly damp cloth to wipe:

The fretboard (remove the grime buildup around the frets)
The body under where the strings normally sit
The bridge and nut

If you have lemon oil or a fretboard conditioner, apply a small amount to rosewood or ebony fretboards (NOT maple - maple has a sealed finish).

Step 3: Install New Strings

Start with the 6th string (thickest):

Find the thickest string in your new set (usually labeled)
Thread the ball end through the bridge hole
Push the bridge pin in firmly - the pin has a groove that the string sits in
Pull the string toward the headstock
Thread it through the hole in the tuning peg
Leave about 3 inches of slack past the tuning peg (roughly the width of your fist)
Start winding: turn the tuning peg so the string wraps downward on the post, toward the headstock
Keep winding until the string is at rough pitch

Repeat for all six strings: 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st.

Step 4: Stretch and Tune

New strings go out of tune immediately. You need to stretch them:

Tune the string to pitch using your tuner
Gently pull the string away from the fretboard (about 1-2 inches at the midpoint)
Retune (it’ll be flat now)
Pull and retune again
Repeat 2-3 times per string until it holds pitch after pulling

Step 5: Trim Excess

Use wire cutters to clip the excess string ends at the tuning pegs, leaving about 1cm of overlap. Untrimmed string ends look messy and can poke your fingers.

Electric Guitar: Differences

Electric guitars differ mainly in how the strings attach at the bridge:

String-Through-Body:

Thread the string through the back of the guitar body, through the bridge. Same concept as acoustic bridge pins.

Tremolo Bridge (Strat-style):

Thread strings through the back of the bridge plate or through the tremolo block. The string feeds through a hole in the bridge and over the saddle.

Fixed Bridge (Les Paul-style):

Feed the strings through the tailpiece (the bar behind the bridge), over the bridge saddle, to the tuning pegs.

The headstock winding process is identical to acoustic. The main difference is the bridge attachment.

String Selection Guide

Acoustic String Gauges

Gauge	Description	Best For
.010 (Extra Light)	Low tension, easy on fingers	Beginners, fingerpicking
.011 (Custom Light)	Balanced	Most players
.012 (Light)	Rich tone, more tension	Strummers, experienced players
.013 (Medium)	Heavy tension, full tone	Advanced players only

Beginner recommendation: Start with .011 or .012 gauge for acoustic.

Electric String Gauges

Gauge	Description	Best For
.009 (Super Light)	Low tension, easy bending	Beginners, lead players
.010 (Light)	Standard gauge	Most players
.011 (Medium)	More tension, fuller tone	Hard strummers, jazz

Beginner recommendation: Start with .009 or .010 gauge for electric.

Common Mistakes

1. Wrapping string in the wrong direction. The string should wrap so that turning the tuning peg clockwise (as viewed from the headstock tip) tightens the string. Getting this backwards means you’ll always turn the wrong way to tune.

2. Not stretching new strings. Unstretched strings go horribly out of tune within minutes. Always stretch and retune 2-3 times per string.

3. Too much or too little slack. Too much slack creates excessive wind on the post (sloppy). Too little slack means fewer than 2 wraps, which reduces tuning stability. Aim for 3-5 wraps per post.

4. Mixing string types. Use a matched set designed for your guitar type. Don’t put electric strings on an acoustic (too thin, low volume) or acoustic strings on an electric (too heavy, can damage the neck).

5. Forgetting to clean the fretboard. String changes are your best opportunity to clean areas you normally can’t reach. Don’t waste it.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

After installing your new strings, use the Tuner in Guitar Wiz to bring each string to perfect pitch. The app detects the note and shows you exactly how sharp or flat you are, making the stretch-and-tune process quick and precise. You’ll notice how fresh strings sound cleaner and brighter - especially when checking chord voicings in the Chord Library.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Guitar Tuner →

FAQ

How often should I change strings?

Every 2-4 weeks with regular playing (30+ minutes daily). Less frequent playing can extend this to every 1-2 months. You’ll know it’s time when they sound dull or feel rough.

Can I change just one string?

Yes, if one breaks. But strings age together, so one new string next to five old ones will sound noticeably different. Change the full set when possible.

Which string brands are best?

D’Addario, Ernie Ball, Elixir (coated, last longer), and Martin are all reliable brands. At the beginner level, any reputable brand sounds good.