Now that you have had your guitar for a while and it is starting to sound a little different not as bright. It is time for you to change your guitar strings. But when changing guitar strings do you change one at a time?
Some people say that you will ruin, and warp the guitar. By releasing the tension of the strings all at once. So if you are wondering when changing guitar strings do you change one at a time? The answer is you don’t have to change one string at a time. It will be easier to do if you are a beginner. And if you have a bridge that is floating then you will want to replace one string at a time.
Now you are probability wondering what bridge do you have. Don’t worry, I am going to show you some popular bridges to help you with replacing guitar strings.
What Kind of Bridge is on Your guitar?
Here are some popular bridges that are on various guitars. The Gibson style guitars have one of the most popular bridges and that is the Tuno Matic. This style bridge is locked in place. The pro’s of a locking bridge is you are transferring the sound directly from the strings through the guitar. For an overall pure sound.
Then you have the popular fixed bridge from Fender it is shown below. This bridge can be with a tremolo or without. You know the whammy bar. The hardtail bridge shown below is with a tremolo. One of Fenders most famous Bridges. The bridge is bolted to the guitar.
On an acoustic guitar the bridge is fixed also. When replacing the strings never tip the guitar upside down. This will cause the bridge saddle to fall out. So just be careful when the strings are off. This kind of bridge is fixed to the guitar with glue.
What is a Floating Bridge Guitar
First off the strings are held on the guitar by the tuning pegs on the neck of the guitar. And at the other end of the guitar on the body of the guitar. There is a bridge that holds the strings in place. The bridge can be bolted onto the body. This is typical of an electric guitar. Or the bridge can be glued into position. Some bridges are floating.
A floating bridge is a bridge that is not fixed in one position on the guitar. It is held on top of the guitar by string tension. This kind of bridge uses a separate tailpiece to hold the strings. On the electric guitar a bridge is metal. source The Floating bridge with a tremolo allows you to achieve higher pitches on your guitar. With the use of the Tremolo.
Related Article: Which Acoustic Strings to Buy for Acoustic Guitar.
The Proper Way to Change Guitar Strings
The best way to replace the strings on your acoustic guitar. You want to keep some tension on the top of the guitar. Just replace two strings at a time. This is also going to be a lot easier for you. Especially if this is your first time restringing your guitar.
- Start with the low E string. Loosen it at the string tuning peg.
- Loosen the A string, and remove the bridge pin.
- Remove the string from the bridge.
- Then place the E string ball end into the Pin hole. Place the pin in and secure the string.
- Place the other end of the string through the eye of the tuning peg and tighten the string.
- Do the same with the rest of the strings.
- Tune the strings.
If you want a detailed explanation on exactly how to replace the strings. Click the link it will also help you tune your guitar.
How to Change Strings on a Floyd Rose Bridge
On a Floyd Rose bridge the strings are locked at the nut and bridge. So that the strings stay in tune after using the tremolo. On a guitar with a Floyd Rose bridge it is a little bit harder to replace the strings. But this is a step by step guide on how to replace the strings on a guitar with a Floyd Rose bridge.
Start by unlock the nut. Using an Allen wrench loosen the bolts at the nut. Remove the block that is holding the string. Keep the bolts in order. As you are going to want to place them back into the same place you removed them. Then take the 6th string and loosen it. It is easier if you use a string winder.
Then follow the string down to the bridge. And find the Allen screw that is for the E string. It will be at the end of the bridge. Loosen the screw just enough and remove the string. You will see when you remove the string from the saddle that the string doesn’t have a ball end on it. The string is bent at a 45 degree angle and sits down into the saddle.
When you go to replace the string. Be aware of the block that holds the string in place. when you tighten the Allen screw. This block can fall out when the Allen screw is loose. If you were to tip the guitar upside down. Just be aware and don’t loose the string block.
On electric guitar strings there is a ball end. But as was just discussed the locking tremolo does not use a string with a ball end. So the first thing is to cut off the ball end with wire cutters. Then place the new string in to the bottom of the saddle. Tighten up the screw. Make sure the string is centered in the saddle, tighten the screw up all the way.
Related Article: Top 5 Budget Electric Guitars.
Tuning the Strings
Bring the string up towards the head stock. Thread the string through the eye of the tuning peg. Just like you would on any guitar. You want to measure the amount of string you are going to need. To wind the string around the peg. You are going to have about a fret length of added string. Which will be wound around the peg.
Once tight make sure the string sits in the groove of the nut. Then you want to use a digital tuner and tune that one string. When you tune the one string. You need to then tune all the strings. When the tension is changed on one string it changes the tuning of all the strings. So install a string tune it and go through the other strings to make sure everything is in tune.
Then go to the second string, change it, and tune the whole guitar. And do this with the third and fourth string. And so on and so forth. This will prevent any other adjustments from going out. After all the strings are tuned. Then you can cut off the excess string at the end of the peg. Then place the block on the nut and screw it back down.
Once the block is locked down on the nut the guitar tuner no longer adjusts the tuning of the guitar. It should be in tune and if there are slight adjustments to be made then you can adjust the tune of each individual strings at the bridge. If there is no further adjustment at the bridge. Then you need to unlock the nut and adjust the tuning with the Tuning peg.
Related Article: How to Adjust the String Height on Acoustic Guitar.
How Often Should You Replace Yourd Guitar Strings?
When your guitar strings look dirty or sound dull is the perfect time to replace your guitar strings. Sometimes you know it’s time when you break a string. But maybe you just put on new strings and a week later one of the strings broke. Well you could just replace one string. The high E string is notorious for this. And you can buy just a set of one string. Like the first string, keep them for when you break that string.
You will find the more you are using your guitar the more you are going to be replacing the strings. Which makes perfect sense. When you are going to replace your strings. Take this time to clean your guitar. If you need help with that take a look at how to clean your guitar.
Related Questions
Can You Change Just One Guitar String?
If your wondering can you change just one guitar string the answer is yes. In fact you can buy individual strings. You may find that when you are bending strings that the high e string will snap and break. But maybe you have just replaced the strings.
But due to the tension you are applying to the strings when you bend them. You prematurely wear the string out. No problem just buy some extra e strings and keep them handy. This way your not having to replace all the strings each time one breaks.
Related Article: How to Change Acoustic Guitar Strings for Beginners.
Does Changing Guitar Strings Make a Difference
Changing guitar strings make a big difference in the sound of the guitar. You can tell instantly when you put on a new set of strings. The tone is brighter and richer. Also you will find that older strings are rough on your fingers.