GUITAR TIP: Restringing a classical guitar

My tips and tricks for changing the strings on a classical guitar. I'll cover the tools you need, my preferred strings, knot methods, tuning and more.

Piece played at beginning and end of video: Villa-Lobos Prelude No. 1
Synthetic gut strings: Aquila Alabastro low tension

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[brandonacker]

Sign-up for lifetime access to this 6-hour course and start playing elegant classical music today!

[adrianmcallister]

Those talking while playing intros are such a flex. I love it.

[benthemusicalchemist]

In high school I went through a phase where I was recording using Nashville tuning. For those unfamiliar, that's when you record a part twice with two sets of strings so that you get a kind of 12-string guitar effect. The first recording is done with normal guitar strings. For the second recording, though, you swap your strings with what would be the higher octave set from a 12-string guitar.

In an effort to save money, I would often repurpose my strings. To that end, I never cut the tails off. You can't make nice little loops like this with steel strings, but I would sort of bend them around so that they laid flat in between the tuner posts. It was quite the conversation starter.

Anyway, good video. I like your tip about melting the end of the unwound strings to make a stop. And you said it, Brandon. if you have a guitar, there's no reason to take it to a shop for a restring. That's like going to the doctor to change your pants.

[theunheardprophet]

A man threatening classical guitar students with a lighter (2021, colourised)

[malcsmalcsmalcs]

that intro was smooth man gotta be honest

[erickleefeld]

Funny story, when I first learned to play guitar, I started for a few months on an old nylon-string guitar. I changed the strings, figuring out how to copy the knot arrangement at the bridge from the existing strings. But the string set I used actually had ball ends, which I didn’t know what they were for. So I strung the balls through at the tuners, thinking it was so you didn’t have to tie them off up there! (I was a budding young Ned Steinberger.)

[MrSF]

I'm definitely in the "fancy loop" camp for the excess string at the head stock. Ive been able to salvage a string more than a few times. And honestly, I like the aesthetic.

[hosseinbeyzavi]

On a very few occasions, as I put on the A string and tuned it all the way to A, it broke at the saddle. So lessons learned, I change my guitar strings one at a time. Also, I tune the new string about a note below. For example, I tune the A string to a G. Then, let it rest over night before I tune it to an A. I have had good luck with that.

[KarenPautz]

So glad I remembered watching this video earlier so that I could find it again when I needed it. I've never had a guitar before, and the D string on my two-month-old guitar broke. I was able to replace the string with no trouble, thanks to the video. Yay! Thanks, Brandon!

[mattiasanderberg]

Aaah my latest classical guitar was double holes on the bridge and oh man do I love it. Also knew all of these things as most guitarists after a few years but its just so relaxing to watch your videos so of course ill sit through it anyway! However, I don't agree with starting with the low string since the non-wounded strings take longer to settle so if you start with the highest ones they will stay in tune sooner. If you start on the highest and tune it to E again when you've stringed the B string and then retune E and B when u get to the G and so on it will almost stay in tune when your finished!

[luisa.espinoza]

Instead of cutting or making the loop with the knot in the headstock you can also roll the string completely in the headstock, it might take a few more seconds but it will have more friction to prevent any slip, you will have extra string and looks more clean.

[luckylikey]

Dearest Sir, it just so happens, that I managed to fix the A string of my gut / silk set 2 times, using your trick. thanks a lot.

[johnnymcauliffe]

Great help. Thank you. If I may make one point—I, personally, like to change all strings at once as it gives an opportunity to give the face of the neck and body a good cleaning.

[account-pinj]

Just changed my strings for the first time today using this vid. Very satisfying when it started looking familiar after i tied the end to the bridge.

[XenoTravis]

This dude has the best smile on YouTube.

[conceptofdreadnought]

The 12-hole bridge does increase the break angle over the saddle a little bit, so you have a little (a little) more tension on the string.

[markus-hermannkoch]

Keep those old strings. They make wonderful candle wicks for dark cult meetings.

[RCstrats]

The only thing that I’ve learned is that, I’m been pulling the living crap out of the bass strings . I’ve already wondered why it sounded dull . Treating these nylons strings like electric guitar strings. Thanks for the tip !! Keep them coming!!

[Handel]

the most entertaining re-stringing of a guitar i've ever seen! :D

[BIZEB]

Oh my god, please release a version of that Villa-lobos prelude. One of my favorite pieces of all time. (alright, back to the video)