How to Restring a Classical Guitar with Nylon Strings

What you need

Restringing a classical guitar requires a fresh set of nylon strings, a clean work surface, and a pair of wire cutters. A string winder made for guitar tuning pegs can speed up the process, but it is not required. Nylon strings are designed for classical guitars, as noted by Martin, and they offer a soft feel with a warm, rounded voice. The bridge of a classical guitar is designed to hold the strings with a knot rather than bridge pins, so you will need to learn that knot to keep the strings secure.

• New nylon string set
• Wire cutters
• Guitar string winder (optional)
• Soft cloth to protect the finish

Remove the old strings

Loosen each tuning peg until the string is slack, then unwind the string from the peg entirely. Slide the string out from the bridge after untying the knot at the bridge block. Work on one string at a time to avoid losing track of their order. If you plan to replace all six, remove them all, then clean the bridge area with a soft cloth. The bridge plays a key role in transferring string vibration to the top, so keeping it clean helps maintain tone.

Before installing new strings, wipe down the fretboard and the tie block with a dry cloth. This prevents dirt and oils from building up and keeps the contact points clean for the new strings.

Tie the bridge knot

The bridge knot on a classical guitar uses a loop that tightens against itself. Insert the string through the hole in the tie block from the inside of the guitar, leaving about three inches of string through the hole. Wrap the free end around the main part of the string once, then bring it back under itself and pull tight. For the bass strings, which are wound, make a second wrap to hold the winding. The knot should sit snugly against the bridge with no slack.

If your strings have ball ends instead of tie ends, you can skip the knot and simply hook the ball under the tie block, but most classical sets use tie ends. Check the packaging to see which type you have. The knot must be tightened before you wind the string at the peg, or the string can slip out as you tension it.

Wind the tuning pegs

Before winding, bring the string up to the correct tuning peg. The three lowest strings wind on the pegs on the left side (from the player's view) and the three highest on the right, but confirm the order by listening as you tune. Pull the string through the peg hole, leaving about two inches of slack, then bend it back so it stays in place. Turn the peg so the string wraps over the top of the post first, then continues under the following wraps. This creates a clean, tight coil that stays in tune.

Keep the string under tension as you wind to prevent overlapping loops. For nylon strings, you generally want two to three wraps on each peg. Too few wraps can cause the string to slip; too many can create tangles and make tuning unstable. As you wind, guide the string with your finger to keep the wraps flat against the post.

Seat and stretch the strings

Once all strings are installed, bring them up to pitch with a tuner. Nylon strings stretch more than steel, so you will need to retune several times over the first day. Gently pull each string away from the fretboard at the 12th fret, about an inch, then retune. Repeat this a few times to help the string settle. Be careful not to pull too hard, as you can break a new string.

Check that each string is seated properly in the nut slots and on the bridge. If a string looks twisted or has a kink, it may cause tuning problems. After a few hours of playing, retune again and check the knot at the bridge. If you notice any slippage, retighten the knot before tuning again.

Use a chromatic tuner to verify each pitch accurately, especially on the bass strings where slight off-tuning is harder to detect by ear. Once all strings are at pitch, go back and check the ones you tuned first, because the tension on the neck will change as you add more strings. This extra pass ensures the whole set is stable before you start playing.

Tips and maintenance

Restringing a classical guitar is a skill you will improve with each change. Always keep a record of when you last changed strings, and replace them when they lose clarity or feel rough to the touch. Nylon strings can last for months, but frequent playing shortens their life. Use a string winder slowly to avoid over-tightening, especially on the high E string, which is thin and breaks easily.

If you have a classical guitar with a cutaway, the process is the same. For more maintenance advice, see our guides on setting up a classical guitar and caring for a classical guitar. When you are ready to upgrade your instrument, browse our best classical guitars and best classical and nylon guitars lists.

What to pick for your use

Questions

How often should I change nylon strings on a classical guitar?

It depends on how much you play. Replace them when they lose tone, become rough, or feel sticky. Many players change them regularly, every few months or so, but you can go longer if you clean them after each session.

Can I use steel strings on a classical guitar?

No. Steel strings have much higher tension and can warp the neck or damage the bridge. Nylon strings are designed for classical guitars because of their lower tension and softer feel, as stated by Martin.

Why do my strings keep slipping out of the bridge knot?

The knot may not be tight enough. Make sure you pull the free end firmly and that the loop is snug against the bridge block. Also, if the string has a ball end, use that under the tie block instead of trying to tie a knot.

How many wraps should I put on the tuning peg?

For nylon strings, two to three wraps are typical. More wraps can cause tuning instability, fewer can allow slippage. As long as the wraps are flat and not overlapping, you should be fine.