How to String an String Electric Bass

Changing the strings on a bass guitar is relatively straightforward. With these easy instructions, you can take good care of your guitar, and string it without worrying about damage or improper tuning. It is important to know the parts of the guitar, such as the tuning posts, nut, bridge and saddle. These are the main areas involved in changing bass strings. Before you start, check that you have all of your materials. You need new strings, a bass guitar string winder, wire cutters and a soft cloth.

1. First: Know your posts

   First, make sure you know the appropriate way to wrap the string around each post. Bass guitars vary in design, so you want to check and see how each post is wrapped. Even if they are not all the same, each string should lead directly to the post from the nut. Angled wires can break, not tune properly or damage the nut, so this is a very important step. You should also examine how each string is placed into the saddle.The ball end of the string sits into a particular hole, and it is important that the string is on a straight line.

2. Second: Cleaning

   Remove each string carefully, they are under a lot of tension, and a sudden release of that tension can damage your instrument. Unwrap each post, and remove each string completely. Take this opportunity to wipe down your fretboard, and clean the usually inaccessible areas of your guitar.

3. Third: Winding new strings

   Place your new strings in the saddle and cut your strings to the desired length, leaving enough string to wrap around the post a few times. Do not cut your strings too short. Then, place the cut end of the string into the hole on the tuning post. Bend the wire at a right angle, and wrap the excess wire around the post. Each new wrap should go below the first, closer to the headstock. Once you have finished with all the strings, you can tune your newly strung bass.