how to cut guitar strings

How to cut guitar strings

You started playing the guitar some time ago and you really enjoy playing it. Only problem, your strings oxidize a little and you need to change them. But changing your guitar strings early on can seem like an obstacle course and you are not sure where to start. We will guide you here.

Do you have to cut the strings that stick out from the tuners when you change them? Won’t it damage the varnish of the head? Is there an influence on the sound? Yes! It can damage the varnish of the head but the more serious thing is level of sound influence.

Rolling them up completely is tedious and indeed it is a bit thick. So I pull them to the maximum before winding. In general, I don’t pay too much attention to the ends that stick out, I prefer to keep them in general because if I break at the nut during a work session I can go up the string quickly to finish the session. In concert or recording I cut them to avoid small noise.


How long should the strings be cut?

Since you have to cut the strings before entering them on the mechanical axis and then wind them; how do you manage to fall on a sufficient number of turns once the strings are fully stretched? Because it depends on the diameter of the strings, the high strings need more turns than the low ones.

For a folk it takes 3 to 4 turns on the 3 bass and a little more up to 5 to 6 on the treble. This is obtained by keeping an additional length of string which is 1 and a half times the distance of 2 mechanicals. Now everything depends on the size of the axis of the mechanics

For the length to be wound, one trick I use is to twist the string at the height of the winding rod of the upper mechanism, SI mechanics for the MI by leaning on it. The break gives the right length for the winding, and facilitates it.

Once the string is mounted, I pull it, which stabilizes it for tuning, and if the string is of poor quality, it farts right away, preventing you from seeing it fart in the middle of a concert.

On some guitar the mechanical holes are on the top of this one and therefore does not cross the axis of the mechanism, this requires cutting before mounting the strings.


5 tips for changing your guitar strings

Choose the right strings for the strings.

To start with, you need to choose the diameter of the string that matches your style of music and your own playing: this is called the string puller.

The weaker the pull, the thinner the string and the easier it is to play. The downside? The string necessarily resonates a little less.

The stronger the pull, the thicker the string and the harder it is to play. The advantage? The string resonates a lot and the neck of your guitar will also move a lot less.

Change all the strings at the same time.

Even if only one string is damaged, it’s best to change your entire string set.

By changing only one string, you will have a different sound on that string since the set is new, so your guitar will sound different and unbalanced . The old strings and the new string would not sound the same at all and the overall result would be a mix between old and new.

Do not cut the strings suddenly.

Second thing to never do will be to cut the strings suddenly. The tension is such that a string jump could damage an eye or slash your face! You have to dismantle and then reassemble string after string so that the neck of your guitar always remains under tension. You might end up with a guitar that goes out of tune too often.

So we remove the first string which we immediately replace with the new one, and you relax the strings manually using the tools.

We alternate a low string and a high string.

Ideally it is better to start with the E string, then the high E string, then the A string and so on. The alternation will allow you to keep a good tension on your sleeve.

Provide a small wipe of the rag between two strings.

So for optimal maintenance of your guitar, take a cloth, a little ordinary or organic cleaner or a special cleaning product for your frets. , and wipe down the residue on the frets with a good wipe.

Changing the strings is always a good time to dust off your instrument between the strings.

Steps :

  • Manually relax the string then remove it.
  • Wipe with a rag + the product on the freight.
  • Insert the string in the tailpiece at the back of the guitar then join the mechanism on the head of the guitar.
  • Wind the string by turning clockwise.
  • Cut the protruding end of the string. Don’t forget to use cutting pliers.
  • Tune the string.
  • Repeat with the other strings.
  • Tune the guitar and scratch for a few minutes so that the neck is under tension.

You may have to tune your guitar several times after changing the strings. It’s normal. The handle moves a little and is gradually recovering. If your guitar buzzes a little, it may be that the neck has not yet stabilized. You must sometimes wait several hours before having a neck that adjusts, it depends mainly on the wood of the guitar.

Finally, a good shot of fast fret on everything and your guitar is ready to be played!

Hey! Check out Buying a guitar as a beginner

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