How to Restring an Electric Guitar (Step‑by‑Step Guide)

Restringing an electric guitar isn’t difficult once you know the order of operations. You remove the old strings, clean the neck and hardware, insert new strings through the bridge, thread them through the tuning pegs with a little slack, and wind them down neatly. Finally, tune to pitch, stretch the new strings, and then re‑tune. This guide walks you through each step, highlights common pitfalls, and answers the most frequently asked questions. It also explains how to choose the right string gauge and how often you should change strings based on your playing habits.

What You Need to Restring an Electric Guitar

Before you start, gather a few inexpensive tools. Having them ready makes the job faster and prevents frustration.

• New guitar strings - select a gauge appropriate for your playing style (see the gauge section below).
  
• String winder - speeds up loosening and tightening. A cheap plastic winder is fine.
  
• Wire cutters - for trimming excess string after winding.
  
• Tuner - a clip‑on or pedal tuner works; a smartphone tuner app is adequate in a pinch.
  
• Microfiber cloth - used for wiping down the strings and cleaning the fretboard.
  
• Optional: non‑drying oil (e.g., lemon or mineral oil) - only on unfinished fretboards such as rosewood or ebony; avoid oils on finished maple boards. Luthiers recommend using a light, non‑drying oil to clean and condition the fingerboard.
  

Do I need all these tools? Most players can change strings with just cutters and a tuner, but a string winder makes the process quicker, and a microfiber cloth keeps the neck clean. Lemon or mineral oil is optional and should only be used on unfinished fretboards.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Restring an Electric Guitar

1. Loosen and Remove the Old Strings

Turn each tuning machine to slacken the string until it is floppy, then cut the string near the middle to relieve tension before unwinding the halves from the tuning peg and bridge. Removing all six old strings takes about 2-3 minutes if you have a string winder handy. Work slowly to avoid scratching the guitar’s finish.

2. Clean the Fretboard and Hardware

With the strings off, wipe down the fretboard, frets, and pickup covers using a dry microfiber cloth. If the fretboard is unfinished (rosewood, ebony, or pau ferro), moisten the cloth with a few drops of lemon or mineral oil and rub along the grain to lift dirt and hydrate the wood. Luthiers emphasise using a non‑drying oil because it cleans the fingerboard and prevents it from absorbing excess moisture. Avoid lemon oil on finished maple boards and never saturate the wood; a light application is sufficient. A clean neck improves tone and playability, so it’s worth doing this every time you restring.

3. Insert the New Strings

Feed the ball end of the new string through the bridge. How you do this depends on the bridge type:

• Hardtail bridge - thread the string through the back of the body or through a ferrule plate behind the bridge.
  
• Tremolo bridge - insert the string through the tremolo block (on Stratocaster‑style guitars) and pull it up through the bridge.
  
• Floyd Rose (locking tremolo) - cut off the ball end, insert the trimmed string into the saddle, and clamp it tight. Locking systems maintain tuning better but require more setup. Beginners may prefer to replace strings on a Floyd‑Rose one at a time so the bridge stays balanced.
  

For standard bridges, many players change one string at a time to maintain neck tension, but when cleaning or doing maintenance, you can remove all strings at once. Beginners often find it easier to replace strings one at a time to keep the bridge in place.

4. Thread the String Through the Tuning Peg

Once the string is pulled through the bridge, guide it up the neck and through the hole in the tuning post. Leave 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of slack so the string can wrap around the post. Too much slack creates messy coils, while too little slack may prevent proper winding. Bend the string at a right angle just beyond the post to prevent slipping.

5. Tighten and Wind the String Correctly

Turn the tuner slowly while holding the string taut. Follow these tips for neat, stable wraps:

• Wind downward - each wrap should go underneath the previous one so the string winds down the post; this increases the string’s break angle over the nut.
• Avoid overlapping - overlapping coils can cause tuning instability; keep the coils neat and separate.
• Use a winder - speeds up the process and reduces strain on your wrist.

Stop winding when the string has tension but is still flat relative to pitch. Repeat the process for each string.

6. Tune the Guitar to Pitch

Use a chromatic tuner to bring each string up to pitch (E A D G B E for standard tuning). Tune slowly and approach the note from below so the string settles into tune. Check all strings again, as tightening one string may slightly change the others’ tension.

7. Stretch the Strings

New strings often go out of tune during the first few hours of playing because the wire around the tuner posts slips and the wraps settle. Gently stretching the strings speeds up this settling process. The music technologist Craig Anderton recommends grabbing the string around the 12th fret and pulling up gently, then re‑tuning, and repeating until the pitch no longer changes. Do this 2-3 times for each string.

8. Re‑Tune and Check Stability

After stretching, re‑tune the guitar. Play a few chords and bends to work the strings in, then check tuning again. If the strings continue slipping or buzz excessively, check that you wound them properly and cut off any excess. Once the tuning stabilises, cut the excess string ends about 1 cm above the tuning post.

How Often Should You Restring an Electric Guitar?

How often you change strings depends on how often you play, your body chemistry, and the tone you want. Music institutes suggest changing guitar strings every three months or about 100 hours of playing to maintain tone. Gigging musicians or players with sweaty, acidic hands may need to change them more often (every 4-8 weeks), while occasional players can wait longer. Signs that it’s time to restring include dull tone, tuning instability, visible corrosion, or fraying.

If you wipe down the strings after playing and wash your hands before picking up the instrument, you can extend string life. Keeping a clean guitar not only improves tone but also protects the fretboard and frets.

Choosing the Right Strings (Gauge & Material)

The string gauge refers to the diameter of the high‑E string in thousandths of an inch, with the rest of the set balanced around it. Gauge affects playability, tone, and feel. Music‑technology educator Craig Anderton notes that lighter‑gauge strings (.009 or .010 sets) are easier to bend but produce less volume and sustain, are more prone to fret buzz, and may break more easily, while heavier strings are harder to play but don’t have these disadvantages.

Common gauges (Electric guitar)

• Light (.009-.042) - easiest for bending, ideal for beginners and players who prioritise speed; less sustain and volume; more likely to break.
  
• Medium (.010-.046) - balanced tone and tension; suitable for most styles, including blues and rock.
  
• Heavy (.011 and up) - thicker tone and increased volume and sustain; harder to press and bend. Heavier strings will not damage your guitar, but they may require a professional setup to adjust the truss rod and intonation.
  

Materials

• Nickel‑plated steel - bright and versatile; the most common electric‑guitar string. Nickel‑plated windings produce a bright tone with moderate tension.
  
• Pure nickel - warmer tone and slightly lower tension. Tone stays more consistent as the strings age because nickel windings start less bright.
  
• Stainless steel or chrome - brightest tone and strong attack; harder on frets and tends to feel stiffer.
  
• Coated strings - polymer coating resists corrosion, so strings last longer. They often cost more but are ideal for players with acidic sweat or those who want a consistent tone.
  

Experimenting with different gauges and materials is the best way to find your preferred tone and feel. If you’re unsure, start with a medium set and consult a guitar technician for recommendations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not stretching new strings - failure to stretch means the guitar will drift out of tune during the first songs.
  
• Adding too much slack - leaving more than 3 inches of slack creates messy coils that slip.
  
• Overlapping coils - overlapping wraps can pinch the string and cause tuning issues.
  
• Wrong string gauge - using a gauge that’s too light can cause fret buzz, while a gauge that’s too heavy may feel uncomfortable without a proper setup.
  
• Improperly locking strings - on locking tuners or Floyd Rose bridges, failing to clamp or lock the string securely leads to slippage.
  

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

• String keeps slipping off the post - there’s too much slack or the wraps overlap; unwind and re‑thread with about 2 inches of slack.
  
• Guitar won’t stay in tune - the strings haven’t been stretched; repeat the stretching and re‑tuning process.
  
• Buzzing after restringing - the gauge may be too light or the guitar needs a professional setup; consider adjusting the truss rod or switching to a medium gauge.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does restringing take?

With a winder and tuner, most players can restring and tune an electric guitar in 10-20 minutes. The first few attempts may take longer, but you’ll get faster with practice.

Should beginners change strings themselves?

Yes. Restringing is an essential skill for guitarists and, with guidance, beginners can do it safely. This step‑by‑step guide will help you through the process, and if you have questions, your local shop or teacher can assist.

What’s the best string gauge for rock?

Medium gauges such as .010-.046 or slightly heavier sets (.011-.049) are popular for rock and blues because they balance playability with a fuller, thicker tone. Heavier gauges provide more sustain and volume but may require a setup.

How can I tell when my strings need changing?

When strings sound dull, feel rough, have visible corrosion, or won’t stay in tune even after stretching, it’s time to restring. If you can’t remember when you last changed them, it’s probably time.

Bringing It All Together

Whether you’re a touring musician or an enthusiastic beginner, knowing how to restring your electric guitar empowers you to maintain your instrument’s tone and feel. Following the steps above ensures the job goes smoothly and helps prevent common mistakes.

At our Premium Guitar Shop (Music Street) in Huntingdon, every guitar is professionally set up in‑house before it goes on display or is shipped. Our small team of working musicians has 25 years of expertise, and we carry stock on‑site rather than dropshipping - if it’s marked in stock, it’s ready to play. We offer a one‑year warranty with ongoing support, and our brick‑and‑mortar showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon PE29 3LJ lets you plug in, feel the guitars, and choose the right strings. Free UK delivery is available on orders over £99, and we’re always happy to help you select strings or perform a professional setup.