How to replace strings on a bass guitar

Video: How To Change Your Bass Strings | Fender

Content

Tips
Warnings
What do you need

1 Examine your guitar head. Notice how the strings go through the nut at the end of the neck, how they go around the guide (if there is one), and which way they wind. This affects the tone. You need to make at least two full windings, but be careful not to overlap the rows.

2 Loosen the first string with the tuning peg until the tension is completely removed. You can remove all strings at once and then put on new ones, or start replacing strings one at a time. Some people prefer to change strings one at a time because this way the fretboard is not subject to voltage surges. Others periodically remove all strings to be able to clean the fretboard. It's up to you.

3 When the string is loose enough, pull it out. Its end will be bent because it went inside the regulator.

4 Pull the string through the tailpiece or body, depending on the bass. Sometimes it can be difficult to grab the end of the string to pull it out, so you may want to push it in the right direction first.

5 Wipe the neck of your bass with a piece of cloth. There are many different fretboard cleaners, choose whichever one works best for you.

6 If the previous string was wound correctly, use it as a reference to cut the new string to the desired length. Even if not, you can still use the old string as a guide to finding the right length.

7 Thread a new string of the appropriate thickness through the tailpiece in the same way as you pulled the previous one. Be careful not to damage the guitar's coating. Pull the string all the way through the bridge before placing it in the saddle.

8 Pass the string through the guide, if there is one, and be careful not to damage it. Winding the strings is easier than you think.

9 Wrap the string relatively tight, but a lot of tension is not necessary here. Wrap until about 2 cm remains.

10 Check the winding; the rows should not overlap, but should fit snugly against each other. Correct if necessary.

11 Bend the end of the string and insert it into the groove. It is advisable to do this after winding; otherwise, the string may bend improperly, affecting its reliability and sound quality.

12 Fix the end of the string in the groove and twist the peg until the tension appears as close as possible to the desired tuning; Make final adjustments after replacing all strings. You need to make at least two complete windings, but make sure that the rows of windings do not overlap. The new string should hold well, just like the previous string.

13 Replace the remaining strings in the same way.

14 Tune the bass and play!

Tips

Don't try to change the position of the tailpiece - unless you know it, of course; otherwise, you will lose the familiar sound.
Count the number of windings for each string. If there are less than two, you need to increase the string length by 3-5 cm. Compare the two strings and determine how long you need.
Make sure you have long enough strings.Compare the new strings to the old ones.
If you want to increase the durability of your strings, store your bass in a case or buy coated strings. Unprotected strings oxidize faster and lose tone.
Draw with a pencil in the holes for each string so that some graphite remains there. Graphite is a slippery material, it will allow the string to go in and out of the hole more smoothly, and will also help avoid some of the problems with bass tuning.
Always unwind the strings, never cut them taut. Make sure the string is loose enough before removing it.
Try different brands of strings until you find one that suits your style and budget; different strings can have completely different tones.
Always start with one string at the end of the fretboard, and work your way up in order. Never start in the middle.
All strings stretch over time. They become more subtle, and as a result, the sound changes. New strings tend to stretch faster initially because they have never been under tension. After changing the strings, most often you will have to tune the guitar several times before it starts to maintain a stable pitch.
Regular strings should be changed about once a month, depending on how often you play. Coated strings are more durable.

Warnings

Don't damage your guitar nut or you'll have to read an article on how to replace it!
Never pull the string so that it comes off the guitar. This saves time, of course, but since the bass strings are thick, chances are your neck will simply break. In addition, the tailpiece can fly off and hit you in the face.
Make sure you buy the correct length. If you're not sure about the right length, look online, or ask your music store dealer what length of strings your bass needs.
Do not tackle anchor setup if you do not know how to do it. You can easily break the bar!
Using round wound strings on fretless bass can damage the fretboard, so use flat wound strings.
Be careful when removing the strings. They can be dangerous, trust me.
When you cut the taut strings, there is a sharp voltage drop in the neck.
Since the guitar has a constant and equal level of tension on the strings, do not remove all the strings at once, as this will result in a sudden voltage drop that can damage the neck components, including the truss and wood.