Restringing an acoustic guitar is a lot like getting a haircut. It may seem simple, but all the little steps can be hard to keep track of. One thing that makes it easier is to memorize the order of all the parts you need, and how to put them back together after you’ve taken them apart. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to restring an acoustic guitar without bridge pins:
Gather your materials: string set, tuning peg keys, tuning peg bushings (if needed), nut slot filler (if needed), neck shim, bridge pin puller (if used), utility knife
Remove bridge pins by using bridge pin puller or by using a sharp edge on a table as leverage
Loosen tuning pegs by turning counterclockwise
Remove tuners and loosen strings from tuners by turning counterclockwise
Loosen strings from endpin by turning.
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Gather your materials
One of the first things you’ll need to do is gather your materials. You’ll need a string set, tuning peg keys, tuning peg bushings (if needed), nut slot filler (if needed), neck shim, bridge pin puller (if used), and utility knife.
1) String set, tuning peg keys, tuning peg bushings (if needed), nut slot filler (if needed), neck shim, bridge pin puller (used if used), utility knife
2) Remove bridge pins by using bridge pin puller or by using a sharp edge on a table as leverage
3) Loosen tuning pegs by turning counterclockwise
4) Remove tuners and loosen strings from tuners by turning counterclockwise
5) Loosen strings from endpin by turning
Remove bridge pins by using bridge pin puller
To remove the bridge pins, use a bridge pin puller. This will be either a tool specially made for the purpose or a small screwdriver that can be inserted into the end of one of the pegs and twisted.
1) Gather your materials
2) Remove bridge pins by using bridge pin puller or by using a sharp edge on a table as leverage
3) Loosen tuning pegs by turning counterclockwise
4) Remove tuners and loosen strings from tuners by turning counterclockwise
5) Loosen strings from endpin by turning
6) String guitar with new string set while holding down strings on top of saddle
Loosen tuning pegs by turning counterclockwise
The first thing you’ll need to do is loosen the tuning pegs. To do so, turn the tuning peg counterclockwise and it should slide right off.
Remove tuners by turning counterclockwise
Loosen strings from nut by turning
Remove string from bridge by pulling it up and through the tuning peg hole
Insert new string into tuning peg hole, then pull the string up and out of the hole on the other side
Repeat steps 7-8 until all strings are replaced
Reattach tuners in reverse order of removal by turning clockwise
Tighten tuning pegs by turning clockwise to tune
Loosen strings from endpin by turning
If you’re not sure which string to remove first, it doesn’t matter. You can start from either end of the guitar.
1) Make sure that the tuner is turned all the way counterclockwise to loosen strings from tuners
2) Loosen one string by turning its tuning peg counterclockwise
3) Remove end pin (if possible) and put it in a safe place
4) Loosen one string at a time by turning tuning peg counterclockwise until the string slides out of the tuning peg
5) Once all strings have been removed, remove excess pieces of string from around the tuning pegs, bridge pins, and tailpiece
6) Cut off any excess piece of string close to tuning pegs or bridge pins
7) Examine bridge pins for wear and replace if necessary
8) Place new strings over tuning pegs and wind them around clockwise until they are taut but not so tight that they bind against each other or against their neighboring strings
Loosen strings from tuners by turning counterclockwise
To loosen strings from the tuners, turn them counterclockwise.
Remove strings by pulling down on the string and then out
Wipe off excess rosin
Unravel string ends and replace with new strings
Wind excess string around tuning peg shaft, wrapping in a clockwise direction
Set bridge pins back in place by hand, using bridge pin puller or by using a sharp edge on a table as leverage
Put tuners back in place by hand and tighten strings to tuners by turning clockwise.
Loosen strings from the headstock by turning
Slide bridge pin puller behind the string, and insert up to the ball end of the bridge pin
Turn bridge pin puller by pushing away from headstock, carefully pulling string from peg hole
Wind string around tuning peg and wind in clockwise direction until tension is correct
Restring other strings one at a time by following steps 7-8
It’s important to loosen the strings from the endpin before they are removed. This is because you may need to move your guitar’s body in order to remove the strings. If the strings are attached, it can be difficult to move the body and access the tuners.
You could use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to loosen them, but this will likely damage your guitar. Instead, it is recommended that you use your fingers. Grip each string at the point where it starts up by the tuner and pull down gently. The strings should slide out of their respective notches with little effort.
Remove old string
Remove old string by pushing and pulling on the side of the string
Remove old string from bridge pin hole
Thread new string through bridge pin hole
Push string down to bridge pin and straighten out to make sure it’s not twisted or cross-threaded
Use tuning peg key to tighten tuning peg clockwise, making sure not to twist the string
Repeat steps 8-10 for all 6 strings
String removal with a hole in the nut slot
When a string needs to be removed from the nut slot, it’s best to do it before removing the bridge pins. This is because the string will be too short to remove from the endpin after you’ve removed the bridge pins. To remove a string with a hole in the nut slot, follow these steps:
1) Remove tuning peg
2) Use string set and tuner to tie two ends of new string together
3) Thread new string through hole in nut
4) Pull on tuner side of strings until they are tight. Leave slack on other end and cut off excess
5) Replace tuning peg by turning clockwise
6) Restring guitar following steps 1-6
String removal with a nut filler
Remove the string by pulling it through the bridge
Cut string flush to bridge, remove clear inner tubing, and discard
Match strings to correct length using a ruler or tape measure
String through hole in endpin, over headstock and down through next hole on opposite side of headstock (recessed tuner side), then up into next hole on opposite side of headstock
Make sure that string is running parallel with the fretboard and wind around tuning peg counterclockwise until it reaches desired tightness
Tighten tuning pegs by turning clockwise
Place a small amount of lubricant on tuning peg bushings and replace them with tuners
How to restring an acoustic guitar without bridge pins FAQS
The tuning pegs should be replaced periodically. To replace a tuning peg, loosen the string by turning the tuning peg counterclockwise. Pull the string through the tuner and remove it from the instrument. Replace the new tuning peg in reverse order. Tighten strings to tune by turning clockwise.
To tighten or loosen a string, turn the tuning peg clockwise or counterclockwise respectively. If you are using a guitar without bridge pins, you will need to use your fingers to hold down each bridge pin as you turn the tuning peg.
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Conclusion
Restringing your acoustic guitar without bridge pins is a relatively straightforward process. The only tricky part is getting the new strings on and tight enough without damaging the finish. But with a bit of patience, you can do it, and the improved sound quality will be well worth it.
If you’re new to the process, start by getting your materials together. Gather your new strings, a string winder or guitar tuner, a ruler, a piece of wood or cardboard, and a pen or pencil.
Next, remove the bridge pins by loosening the tuning pegs and pulling the pins out with pliers. Remove the tuners and loosen the strings from the endpin. Loosen the strings from the headstock.
Now you need to remove the old string from your guitar’s tuning peg holes. To do this, you’ll need to first loosen the strings from the tuning pegs. Then, use pliers to pull out one of the tuning pegs to access the old string. Once you have it loose, cut it with wire cutters and remove it completely.
