Re-Stringing
The procedure for re-stringing acoustic guitars, electric guitars and basses, is quite similar in the way the strings are wound onto the tuning machines. There are differences though, in how the strings are attached to the bridges of acoustic and electric guitars. Guild flat-top acoustics have a pin style bridge with holes and bridge pins to hold the strings in place. Guild jazz and electric guitars have a surface mounted bridge or slotted tailpiece through which the strings are fed. To string a flat-top, remove the bridge pin and the old string, drop the ball end of the new string into the hole in the bridge, then re-insert the bridge pin to keep the string in place. Make sure that the bridge pin is positioned with the groove over the string. Do not hammer the bridge pin in. A firm push with the thumb will secure it in place. To string an electric, simply feed the string through the appropriate hole in the bridge or slot in the tailpiece. To attach a string to the machine head, thread it through the hole or slot on the machine head, running it halfway around the post, then underneath the main length of the string. Next, pull the string end back over the main length. See illustrations 1, 2 and 3. Make sure that each string is seated well, stretched and snugged down on the tuning machine post. This will prevent slipping and save you some tuning frustrations down the road. Note: Never cut a string to length before putting it on your guitar and tuning it to pitch. Premature cutting may cause the string to unwrap and become useless. Crimp the string first, then clip near the machine head post.
Illustration 1.
String is passed through hole near top of string post.
Illustration 2.
String is then wound halfway around post.
Illustration 3.
Prevent string slippage by running the short end halfway around the post, then underneath and back over the main length of string before tightening.
