| When changing the strings on a classical guitar it is | | | | tuning fork to get the A note on the 5th fret. You can |
| best to change one string at a time. It is not good for | | | | tune the other strings from this. |
| the neck of the guitar to have a sudden release of | | | | There is another way of securing the string to the |
| tension and then to have it applied forcefully later. This | | | | bridge. This is called the Letter D method. This is usually |
| can lead to distortion of the neck and permanent | | | | used only for the 4th, 5th and 6th strings and is done |
| damage. | | | | as follows: |
| As well as this, never tune the string more than a tone | | | | - Start as you would with the figure 8 by passing the |
| above its normal pitch. You can tune it a little sharp (for | | | | string through the bridge at the sound hole and leaving |
| example, one semitone above normal concert pitch) as | | | | 1½ inches sticking out |
| this can make the guitar a little 'brighter' to play. Tune it | | | | - Bring the extra string length back and loop around |
| any higher and you risk breakage. | | | | itself then under and over itself ONCE at the very |
| Never put steel strings on a classical guitar. It is not | | | | back of the bridge forming the letter D |
| constructed to take this exertion and it is easily | | | | Supposedly, the figure 8 is better since it has more |
| damaged (the neck can break away from the body). | | | | holding power. |
| To string the guitar: | | | | Some things to take note of while restringing and |
| - Unwind the old string until the tension is completely | | | | tuning: |
| released and the string is quite floppy | | | | - Nylon strings, especially trebles, are very stretchy. On |
| - Unthread the string from the Capstan in the | | | | the first day they will seem to be never in tune but will |
| Headstock | | | | stabilize the next day |
| - Next untie if from the bridge and discard it | | | | - Don't stretch the strings when restringing since this |
| You're now ready to string the guitar: | | | | make them develop thin areas. Uneven strings do not |
| - Start by slipping the string through the corresponding | | | | play in tune |
| hole in the bridge from the sound hole end | | | | - Most intonation problems are due to uneven strings |
| - Leave approximately 1½ inches of the string | | | | - Experiment to find the string that sounds best |
| sticking out past the back of the bridge | | | | Remember to take your time when first restringing a |
| - Pull the extra string length towards the sound hole | | | | guitar. Take care that you learn the correct method. |
| and loop it around the string where it originally entered | | | | There will be less slippage and breakage or tuning |
| the bridge | | | | problems if you learn in this way. |
| - Loop the string under and over itself on top of the | | | | When you first put on new strings play all the |
| bridge twice. This forms a figure 8. | | | | semitones, fret by fret, along the string length and then |
| - Pull the string tightly away from the sound hole and | | | | retune the guitar. This will allow the strings to stretch |
| attach it to the tuning peg as shown below | | | | more quickly and settle down and stay in tune. |
| - Loop the string at the peg head and then twist it | | | | There are a lot of classical guitar strings on the |
| around itself before tightening the peg | | | | market. It pays to experiment until you find the one that |
| - Continue to restring the other strings one by one | | | | is right for you |
| using the above method | | | | Restringing a guitar can be a bit daunting at first. |
| After all the strings are restrung, start to tune the | | | | Approach the task slowly and take time to learn the |
| strings by starting with the first E treble string. Use the | | | | correct methods. |