Continued from page 1
2. Line up string with any grooves in pin. Insert pin into hole, making sure it is secure.
3. Take other end and insert into hole on capstan.
4. Pull string through leaving a fair amount of slack between capstan and bridge.
5. Bend string at point it comes through capstan to keep it secure.
6. Watching out for your eyes, begin turning key with your left hand. Once you get it started it may be easier to use string winder. (For safety reasons, you might want to cut off any excess string. I usually wait until after they're all on to do this).
7. As you are winding, apply some tension to string with your right hand to help keep it taught. Make sure you are winding in right direction! On bass strings you will be winding counter-clockwise (away from you). On treble strings you will go opposite direction.
8. Continue to wind each string until all slack is taken up. Do not worry about tuning yet.
9. Cut off all excess string length.
Classic Nylon String Guitar-
1. Put string through top of hole found just below bridge.
2. Pull about 3 inches through.
3. Bringing string up over tie block, pass it underneath itself at original point of entry.
4. Come down over tie block again and wrap end of string around itself in a figure eight type pattern.
5. Insert other end of string down through hole on capstan.
6. Wrap string around back and then underneath itself in order to secure it in place.
7. As described above, begin turning key with your left hand while maintaining some tension with other until all slack is taken up. With a classical guitar you will wind clockwise on bass strings and treble strings.
8. Keep string as straight as possible as it continues from capstan through nut and down onto neck.
9. You should not have any excess string length, but if you do, cut it off.
Electric Guitar-
Follow same procedure as described for acoustic steel string guitar.
If you need help re-tuning your guitar please see my free guitar lesson which covers this subject in detail.
I hope you found this information to be helpful. Remember, establishing a good guitar care routine will insure many long years of musical fun and enjoyment!
Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: www.abclearnguitar.com