Restring an Acoustic Guitar

I always saw guitar rookie asking about restring guitar on forum, are you lazy or what? Can't even finish such an easy task? you should learn to DIY!!!

I restring my Washburn with Gibson Masterbuilt Premium 012. As the action of this guitar is very low, 012 is recommended. Not suggested to string 012 if your guitar is not good enough as it will give too much tension to the neck, and too much pressure to your finger. Normally 010 or 011 is OK.

And it is suggested to change all the string together instead on just changing only 1 or 2 of the string, because after days of playing the tension of the string change, and changing several string affect the balancing of the tone.

here it start:

Step 1: Take off all the string

First of all, take off all the strings. It is not always recommended to do this because once every string is took off and put back again it give extra tension to the neck which is a harm. But there's reason to do this today, tell you later.

I've remove all the string but forgot to show you how to remove the end pin, so just ignore the upper picture. as shown, this is the 6th string in the end pin. Usually it is very firm and unable to take out with bare hand

And it is even more firm with this guitar as you can see there's a gauge notch in the bridge, to give extra pressure to the end pin.

what I usually do is, take something that is hard enough.

And push the pin up from the bottom of it, inside the body.

DO NOT USE A PLYER AS IT DAMAGE YOUR PIN!!!!

Step 2: Apply Fretboard Conditioner

This is the reason why I'll have to took off all the strings, to apply fretboard conditioner. Grab 1 of this baby, lemon oil, it really affect the tone， BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!!

It's easy, just spray or pour some of it on a cloth.

Then apply through fretboard

It is very greasy at this moment, you'll have to leave it for a while to let the fretboard moistured.

After an hour or two, the fretboard is very beautiful and enriched!!

Step 3: Put string into Bridge
 

Usually I start with 4 > 3 > 5 > 2 > 6 > 1. As you can see, first put the string into the pin hole, then put in the pin

At this moment, we have to make sure the string is at it's correct position inside the bridge, which is....

the string must be stuck between the pin and the top wood, but not as the lower one, on the end of the pin, which this always happen.

When you strengthen the string, the pin will blow up and fly like a bullet!!!

Press the pin hard into the bridge.

And check the position of the string below the top wood. At this stage, I usually put in all of the string, then strengthen then all together.

 Step 4: Wind the strings

put your string over the tuner, please be reminded that you will have to leave a length that allow the string to be winded 3 rounds.

Fold the string

And start winding it with a string winder.

Wind the string toward the Machine Head, but not away from it.

Winding Style, choose which that suits you!!!

After winding them, you can leave them like this as the strings will shine under stage light, but it is very dangerous. So, I always cut them.

Make sure your cutter is cutting 1 string at a time!!

Step 5: Tuning

After you winded all the string, you will have to pull the string like this and release it, something like slap bass technique. It helps the string to get used to the tension and stay in-tuned.

The string will be quite noisy at the first few days, so it is recommended to restring your guitar 3 days before performance.

Easy right?