Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

Stretching & Tuning Electric Strings

 
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After you have the new set of strings on then it's time to check the bridge parts (saddles if it's a Fender style) to see if anything was knocked out of alignment while changing the strings.

Next, stretch the strings because there is going to be some slack and looseness in the windings. After that you are ready to start tuning with your tuner. Be prepared to stretch, tune then re-stretch and retune several times before your new strings will stay solidly in tune. Most importantly, tune up, not down!

This is also a good time to check the action (the distance from the string to the frets) and the intonation. After putting on new strings is the best time to set the intonation. Tune the open string and check to make sure it's in tune using the 12th fret natural harmonic. Play the note at the 12th fret. If it is too sharp, then bridge saddle needs to be moved back to lengthen the string. If it's too flat, then the saddle needs to be moved forward toward the bridge to shorten the string.

Instructor Christopher Schlegel
Tutorial:
Changing Strings & Basic Maintenance
Styles:
Any Style
Difficulty:
download lesson open guitar tuner

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Questions & Answers

6 months ago
I do intonation by playing open string and the 12th fret, didn't know it can be done with harmonics! which method is more precise though?
Mike Olekshy 6 months ago

Hi there - thanks so much for your question! Either method can be used. Which method is more precise is debatable. I personally compare the 12th fret harmonic with the fretted note at the 12th fret to set my intonation, but other players prefer the open string and the fretted 12th fret. Experiment with each to determine which method works best for you. Hope this helps!!

2 years ago
Thanks for this great lesson, especially with the action and intonation. One thing that I think would be great as an addition would be on adjusting or factoring a floating bridge. I recently changed to a lighter gauge of strings and had to spend a lot of time/trial and error in resetting the floating bridge (and still not sure if I was doing the correct thing.
Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello and thanks so much for your suggestion! I've forwarded your request to admin. Indeed it is a tricky process to dial in a floating bridge when you change string guage - I hope it worked out for you!