6 Easy Steps to Perfectly Restring a Classical Guitar

Restringing a classical guitar

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[Image of a classical guitar being restrung]

Have you ever found yourself with a broken guitar string? It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re in the middle of a practice session or performance. But don’t worry, restringing a classical guitar is a relatively simple task that you can do yourself with a few basic tools. In this article, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to restring a classical guitar, so you can get back to playing your favorite tunes in no time.

Before you begin, you’ll need to gather a few tools. You’ll need a new set of strings, a string winder, and a pair of wire cutters. You may also want to use a tuner to help you get the strings in tune. Once you have your tools, you can begin the restringing process.

First, remove the old strings. Start by loosening the tuning pegs at the headstock of the guitar. Once the strings are loose, you can use the wire cutters to cut the strings near the bridge. Be careful not to cut the strings too close to the bridge, as this can damage the guitar. Once the strings are cut, you can remove them from the guitar.

Gathering the Necessary Tools and Materials

Restringing a classical guitar requires the right tools and materials to ensure a proper job. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

Tools

String Winder: A string winder simplifies the process of winding the strings onto the tuning pegs.
Peg Puller: This tool helps remove the tuning pegs for easier string replacement.
Wire Cutters: Used to trim excess string after winding.
Fretboard Protector: A thin plastic or rubber strip that protects the fretboard from scratches during the stringing process.

Materials

Nylon Strings: Classical guitars use nylon strings, which are typically sold as a set with different thicknesses for each string.
Bridge Pins: Small plastic or wooden pins that hold the strings in place at the bridge.
Brass Saddles: Located at the bridge, they adjust the string height for proper action.

String Specifications

String Number	Thickness
1st (Treble E)	0.28 mm
2nd (B)	0.33 mm
3rd (G)	0.41 mm
4th (D)	0.53 mm
5th (A)	0.65 mm
6th (Low E)	0.82 mm

Note: It’s recommended to purchase a new set of strings for optimal performance and sound quality.

Removing the Old Strings

To remove the old strings, start by loosening the tuning pegs until the strings are completely slack. Then, gently pull the strings up and over the bridge and soundhole until they are free. Be careful not to damage the guitar’s finish or the strings themselves.

Once the strings are removed, inspect the bridge and soundhole for any damage. If you notice any cracks or dents, it is important to have them repaired before restringing the guitar. You should also clean the bridge and soundhole with a soft cloth to remove any dirt or debris.

Here is a step-by-step guide to removing the old strings from a classical guitar:

Step	Instructions
1	Loosen the tuning pegs until the strings are completely slack.
2	Gently pull the strings up and over the bridge and soundhole until they are free.
3	Inspect the bridge and soundhole for any damage.
4	Clean the bridge and soundhole with a soft cloth to remove any dirt or debris.

Preparing the New Strings

Before you can restring your classical guitar, you need to prepare the new strings. This involves stretching them and tying them onto the bridge.

Stretching the strings

Stretching the strings is necessary to prevent them from breaking when you tune them up to pitch. To stretch a string, simply hold onto one end and pull on the other end until the string becomes slightly thinner and less flexible.

Start by stretching the new strings one at a time. Hold the guitar in your lap with the neck pointing towards you. Take one of the new strings and place it over the bridge, but do not tie it on yet.

Hold the end of the string that is on the tuning peg side of the bridge with your left hand. With your right hand, reach down and grab the string about halfway between the bridge and the tuning peg. Pull on the string until it becomes slightly thinner and less flexible. Do not overstretch the string, or you may break it.

Repeat this process for all of the new strings.

Tying the strings onto the bridge

Once the strings are stretched, you need to tie them onto the bridge. To do this, you will need to use a special type of knot called a classical guitar bridge knot.

To tie a classical guitar bridge knot, start by wrapping the string around the bridge pin once. Then, take the end of the string and pass it over the top of the bridge pin and under the string that is already wrapped around the pin. Pull on the end of the string to tighten the knot.

Repeat this process for all of the strings. Make sure that the knots are tight, but not so tight that they damage the strings.

Final Adjustments

Once the strings are secured at the bridge and the nut, some final adjustments are necessary to ensure the guitar is set up properly. These include:

1. Tuning the Guitar

Use a tuner or reference pitch to tune the guitar to the desired pitch, typically EADGBE for a classical guitar.

2. Adjusting the Neck Relief

Check the neck relief by pressing down the string at the first and 12th frets simultaneously. The middle of the string should have a slight amount of clearance from the fretboard. Adjust the truss rod to increase or decrease the neck relief as needed.

3. Adjusting the Action

The action refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. Adjust the action by raising or lowering the bridge saddle to achieve a comfortable playing height.

4. Intonating the Guitar

Intonation ensures that each note on each string plays in tune when fretted at different positions. Adjust the string length at the bridge by moving the saddle forward or backward to achieve accurate intonation.

5. Setting the Pickup Height (if applicable)

For electric classical guitars, adjust the pickup height to ensure optimal signal strength and balance.

6. Dressing the Frets

If necessary, dress the frets to remove any sharp edges or unevenness for a smoother playing surface.

7. Polishing the Guitar

Clean and polish the guitar body and neck to remove any dust or fingerprints.

8. Additional Considerations

Factor	Considerations
String Tension	Ensure that the strings are stretched sufficiently to maintain their tune and prevent slippage.
Neck Angle	If the neck angle is incorrect, it can affect the string action and intonation. Have it adjusted by a qualified luthier.
Bridge Pin Position	Check that the bridge pins are properly seated and aligned to prevent string breakage.
Nut Slots	Ensure that the nut slots are cut to the correct depth and width for each string.
Fretboard Condition	Regularly clean and condition the fretboard to prevent it from drying out or warping.

How to Restring a Classical Guitar

Restringing a classical guitar is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about 30 minutes. With a few basic tools and a little patience, you can restring your guitar yourself and save yourself the cost of taking it to a guitar shop.

Here are the steps on how to restring a classical guitar:

Gather your tools and materials. You will need:

A new set of guitar strings
A string winder
A pair of pliers
A pair of wire cutters
A soft cloth

Remove the old strings. Start by loosening the strings with the string winder. Once the strings are loose enough, you can remove them from the tuning pegs.
Clean the guitar. While the strings are off, take a moment to clean the guitar. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the body, neck, and fretboard.
Install the new strings. Start by threading the ball end of the string through the bridge. Then, bring the string up over the saddle and place it in the tuning peg. Use the string winder to wind the string around the tuning peg until it is tight.
Tune the guitar. Once all of the strings are installed, you can tune the guitar. Start by tuning the open strings (6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st). Then, tune the guitar to the desired tuning (typically EADGBE).