NOTE: This is for beginners -as in people wanting to learn more about restringing techniques.
You know, this is my favorite but most dangerous part of guitar maintenance that I or you will ever do. Watch you fingers when working with the strings at the head of the the guitar. Look at some previous posts for medical advise.
(1) Take the strings out of the package. You either have strings that are colour coated, with a chart on the box or you can figure them out by looking closely at them. The thickest string is at the top and the thinest at the bottom.
(2) Put the string through the tail piece (on the body of the guitar).
(3) Place the body of the guitar on a table, with blanket on it so you don’t scratch the bottom of guitar. It also helps you move the guitar fast and smoothly when working. Make sure that you can have access to a chair so you can work at a good eye level to watch closely at what your doing.
Part (4) is background info that you need to understand before proceeding to part (5) & (6)
(4) Follow these visual steps. The last picture shows a little gap from where the bottom of the string is to the remaining part of the shaft of the tuning peg. I leave enough string or slack allows me to keep turning the tuning knob until the bottom of the string completely fills that space. I do not like to see any part of that shaft exposed. The more string that is attached means, a tighter wind and less room for the string to stretch. A change in the tension of the string = a change in tuning.
NOTE: This is the tricky part that you will have to determine by yourself because every guitar dimensions are different. After doing a couple of strings, you will get the hang of it. IF YOU DO THIS WRONG, YOUR GUITAR WILL NOT BLOW UP, ok? Just relax. Do not attempt while intoxicated.
(5) Move the guitar on the table so you can sit in a position that will allow you have the guitar head over and away from the table to let you start winding the strings.
(6) At this point we actually can start the winding process. Now with your right hand, grab the string that your working on by having fingers (index to pinkie), pulling up on the string while using your thumb pushing down on the string.
NOTE: Have your thumb push the string down on the fret board, right near the nut, where the string is suppose to be on the neck of the guitar. This will provide a small amount of the tension you will need to start winding the tuning peg.
(7) SLOWLY turn the tuning peg in the direction that you want. For guitars with 3 strings on each side of the head of the guitar, turn the head counter clock wise; for all others go clock wise. Pay close attention to the string that it follows going down the tuning head that will cover the gap that I talked about in part (4). The more you reach the bottom of this tuning peg, let the tension that you thumb is exerting on the string off little by little until you have covered that area of the shaft of the tuning peg.
(8) Place any finger you want to use (I use my index) directly on the nut (the white piece between the top of the neck and head of the guitar) of the guitar that corresponds to which string you are replacing. I want you to put pressure on that direct spot that holds your new string in place. This will stop the string from moving anywhere while you are doing the next part.
(9) With your right hand, grab the string that you are working on and pull the string in a upward and downward direction. Remember to keep your finger down tightly on the nut. What this is doing is, by pulling upwards and downwards on the strings, it tightens or pulls the strings coils on the tuning head closer thus making them less likely to move or slip.
Note: A change in tension = a change in the note or key of the string. When they slip or loosen up, the guitar string goes out of tune. The exact tension of the strings determines how they vibrate. The vibration is the note you want. Think about how a sign wave works, if your not sure or want to know more look up the details. Remember, knowledge is power.
Keep on Jammin’