How to Restring an Electric Guitar (Strat Style with Tremolo Bridge)

STEP 1

This is how to restring a guitar that has a tremolo bridge. We will assume here that you are changing them to the same gauge as are currently on the guitar.

STEP 2

Firstly it is easier if you remove the tremolo arm. 
Careful, on some models, there may be a spring left in the hole, which can fall out.
 
 

 STEP 3

We need to remove the old ones, so loosen them by turning the machine heads clockwise to make them slack and then remove them from the tuning pegs. A string winder can speed this bit up significantly.

 STEP 4 

Be careful when removing them from the pegs as they can be quite twisted and can easily hook into your finger... (Ouch!)

 STEP 5

Use a pair of wire cutters to snip off the curly end that was around the tuning peg, this will make passing it through the bridge easier.

 

STEP 6

Now push the old strings through the saddles of the bridge. If they are stuck, you may need to use a thin rod (a small Allen key or screw driver works) and follow the path and gently push the ball out.
REMEMBER which hole the thickest one was in.

 

STEP 7

Once you have pushed the balls out of the bridge, turn the guitar over and gently pull the strings through the bridge.
REMEMBER which hole the thickest was in.

NB. You may need to remove the plastic back plate.

STEP 8

Now a great time to get the polish out and give your guitar a thorough clean.

STEP 9

If you have some lemon oil, put this on a cloth and rub into the finger board to nourish the wood. Follow the instructions on the bottle.

STEP 10

Make sure you clean both sides of the frets as this is where a lot of dirt builds up.
Once finished, wash your hands.

STEP 11

 Remember to get into all the awkward to reach places.
A small paint brush is perfect for dusting in-between the saddles.

STEP 12

Prepare your new set so that you know which one goes where. Some sets have coloured ball ends if they are packaged together. Some may come in their own sleeve.

STEP 13

Take the thickest, the E, and push it through the hole that used to home the old thickest string. Turn over the guitar and feed it through the saddle and pull it nearly all the way through.

STEP 14

Do the same with the remainder, gradually going from the thickest  to the thinnest.

STEP 15

Once all 6 are in place, turn the guitar over and pull on each, so that the ball engages into the back of the bridge and can be pulled no further.

 

STEP 16

Start with the thickest string. Draw it over the saddle and over the top nut to the machine heads.

STEP 17

Pass through the tuning peg (from the inside to the outside) and pull it fairly tight.

STEP 18

Pass around the back of the tuning peg and under itself.

STEP 19

Now fold it over top of itself.

STEP 20

Turn the machine head anti-clockwise to tighten.
We will tune the guitar once all 6 are in place.

STEP 21

Push the remainder of it down.

STEP 22

Now take a pair of wire cutters. Here we use the Planet Waves Pro Winder, which has a built in peg winder, cutter and bridge pin puller.

Snip off the excess.

STEP 23

Do the same for the remaining 5, gradually working from the thickest to the thinnest.

Now you can tune up.

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