Do you hear a hum coming from the strings when you play your guitar? Is the sound becoming "dull" and undefined? Is the guitar forgotten more easily? It means the time has come to change the strings. Many people who own a classical guitar prefer to avoid changing the strings because they don't want to ruin those nice knots on the bridge looking so neat, but fear not, it's not a difficult operation and, in no time at all, you will have it in your hand. your guitar with a set of new strings.
Steps
Step 1. Remove the old strings
There are several ways to do this: some argue that it is important to keep the bridge in tension and therefore it is good to change the strings one at a time, others recommend removing them all immediately and taking the opportunity to clean the neck and the fingerboard. You decide what is best.
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Cut it. Take a pair of scissors and cut all strings (or just one). If you decide for this method, keep in mind that you will then still have to remove the portion of the strings that remains wrapped around the bridge of the guitar.
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Remove the strings by loosening and unwinding them. Sure, this method will take you more time, but at least you won't have to split the strings into fragments which can then be scattered around the room! The fastest way to do this is to use a string winder, a small string winder that acts on the keys of the headstock, which you can find in music stores. If you don't have one available, loosen the string by hand as if lowering its pitch, until it slips out of its housing in the headstock.
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Step 2. Get the new strings
Be careful that they are nylon strings and not metal (for acoustic guitar). Never use metal strings on a classical guitar - not only do they put more pressure on the bridge, eventually bending and breaking it, but they also sound worse on a classical guitar. Always use only nylon strings for classical guitar. They are inexpensive and readily available in music stores or on the internet.
Method 1 of 2: Install the New Strings on the Bridge
Step 1. Sixth string
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Thread the string through the hole in the bridge, starting on the inside (from the guitar neck) and exiting the other. Thread a piece of string about 10-12.5cm through the hole.
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Wrap the rope back on itself once, forming a small loop.
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Thread the end of the string into the ring.
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Keep the string firm against the soundboard of the guitar, to prevent the end from rising, loosening the ring and coming out of it.
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Tighten the ring by grasping both ends with your fingers - it must be tight.
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Repeat the same operation with the fifth and fourth string. The sixth, fifth and fourth strings are knotted to the bridge in the same way, while a slightly different technique is used for the remaining three strings: the difference is that the string is knotted on itself, inside the ring, more than once..
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Step 2. Third string
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Thread the string through the hole in the bridge, starting on the inside (from the guitar neck) and exiting the other. Thread a piece of string about 10-12.5 cm through the hole.
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Wrap the rope back on itself once, forming a small loop.
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Thread the end of the string into the loop three times to secure the string securely to the bridge and prevent it from unraveling.
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Tighten the ring by grasping both ends with your fingers - it must be tight.
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Repeat the same operation with the second and first strings.
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Method 2 of 2: Install the New Strings on the Headstock
Step 1. Turn the key until the hole for the string is in front of you, clearly visible:
this will make it easier to carry out subsequent operations.
Step 2. Thread the end of the string into the hole once
There are also methods that involve threading the string through the hole twice, but they are more complicated and not necessarily more effective.
Step 3. Wrap the string on the barrel (usually white plastic) which, inside the headstock, rotates the string, passing the end to the right, towards the body of the guitar
Step 4. Pull the rope tightly over the barrel by acting on the end
Step 5. Thread the end of the rope into the loop that has formed between the taut part of the rope and the other end that protrudes from the hole
Step 6. Hold the end steady and turn the stick as if you were going to raise the pitch of the string when tuning the guitar
Keep turning until you reach the desired note. After a while, you can also let go of the end of the rope.
Advice
- Using a string winder makes the whole winding operation extremely faster; if not used carefully, however, you can run the risk of breaking the rope by straining it too much.
- If you know someone who can show you all the operations, see what they do before going it alone.
