How to Change Electric Guitar Strings
Changing electric strings is easier than changing acoustic strings because there are no bridge pins. The only thing that trips people up is the bridge type. Here is the method, with the differences for each.
What you need
- A new set of strings in the gauge your guitar is set up for. If you do not know, 10 to 46 is the standard. See string gauges explained.
- Wire cutters.
- A string winder. Optional, but it turns a twenty minute job into eight.
- A tuner.
One at a time or all at once
On a fixed bridge like a Telecaster or Les Paul, either works. On a Stratocaster or any guitar with a floating tremolo, change one string at a time. Taking all six off lets the tremolo springs pull the bridge flat against the body and the setup shifts.
Step by step
- Loosen the old string until it is slack, then cut it in the middle and pull both halves out.
- Feed the new string. Telecaster and most Stratocasters load from the back of the body through a hole. A Les Paul loads through the stop bar tailpiece from the back edge. Pull the string through until the ball end seats.
- Measure the slack. Pull the string past its tuner post to the next post up, about two inches, and cut it there. That gives two to three wraps.
- Wind. Push the end into the post hole, bend it, and wind so each wrap goes under the last one. Wraps should go down the post toward the headstock. Keep the string under tension with your other hand.
- Tune to pitch and move to the next string.
- Stretch. Pull each string gently up away from the fingerboard along its length, retune, and repeat until it stops going flat. Skipping this is why new strings go out of tune for a week.
Locking tuners
Locking tuners clamp the string in the post so you need almost no wraps. Pull the string tight, lock it, cut it and tune up. It is the single best upgrade for a tremolo guitar and takes fifteen minutes to install on most Fenders.
Keeping the tremolo in tune
If the bridge sits higher or lower after new strings, you changed gauge and the springs need adjusting. A pencil rubbed in the nut slots helps strings return to pitch. If the guitar still will not stay in tune after a stretch, it needs a setup, which is what we do before every guitar ships.
How often
Monthly for a daily player on regular strings, two to three months on coated strings. See how often to change guitar strings. For an acoustic the steps are different, read how to change acoustic guitar strings.
Browse electric guitar strings. Questions? Call the shop at (423) 462-1894 and a real person will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I change all six electric guitar strings at once?
On a fixed bridge yes. On a tremolo bridge change one at a time so the bridge does not shift.
How many wraps should be on the tuner post?
Two to three on the plain strings and two on the wound strings. Locking tuners need less than one.
Why do my new strings keep going flat?
They were not stretched. Pull each string gently away from the fingerboard and retune until it holds.
Can I use acoustic strings on an electric guitar?
No. Acoustic strings are bronze wound and magnetic pickups barely hear them. Use nickel wound electric sets.
