Any strings on a guitar will sooner or later wear out, start to sound dirty or even break. In this case, they must be replaced and re-configured.
How to remove old strings?
The process of changing the strings is not too difficult, it cannot be called laborious either, but it requires concentration and attention. It is advisable to change all strings at once, as strings from different sets can be discordant and refuse to keep in tune. This is especially noticeable on those guitars, the strings of which were bought and changed one by one. Better to spend a little time and avoid such unpleasant consequences.
First you need to remove the old strings. This is a very simple process. The tuning pegs, on which the lower three strings are wound, must be twisted counterclockwise to loosen the tension. The tuners on which the bass strings are wound must be turned clockwise. After you have removed the strings from the tuning pegs, take a suitable tool, such as a pair of pliers, and pull out the stringing pegs from the other side. After that, the old strings can be thrown away.
After removing the strings, the neck must be thoroughly cleaned. A huge amount of dust accumulates on it, which is not at all easy to "pick out" from under the strings. Take a soft rag or napkin and gently wipe the neck. Particular attention should be paid to the places near the sills. Wipe the neck several times to remove any remaining dust. This is especially true if you play the guitar outside, in which case the rag may even turn black from dust.
Once the dust is removed from the neck, start tugging on the strings from a new set. Be careful to keep the strings in place and pull on their tuning pegs. At the end of each string there is a small metal ball, which must be inserted into a socket on the stand and secured with a special peg. This procedure must be done with all strings. After securing the strings on one side, start winding them on the tuning pegs.
How do you pull the strings?
First you need to pass the string through the tuning peg hole, then make a turn around it and make a "lock", passing the end of the string under it. Then you can twist the peg, keep in mind that the string is wound down the peg shaft, and not up. Usually, new strings are slightly longer than needed to make them easier to install. An extra piece of string that is not wound on a peg is called a mustache. You can get rid of the mustache with scissors or nippers.
You can tune your guitar using a special technique, but a regular smartphone is also suitable if the required application is installed on it. This process takes some time and patience. When tuning your guitar, don't twist the tuning pegs too hard.
