How To String A Bass Guitar
The bass guitar is similar to an acoustic or electric guitar, the bass guitar has up to four to six strings.
Before restringing your bass guitar there are some things you need to know because it is quite complex and the way you do it determines the kind of sound and tune you get this is why you have to be careful when stringing your bass guitar so as to get it to work perfectly and in an amazing way you would love.
When it comes to stringing your bass guitar, it’s something you have to learn and not just guess how it’s being done to be sure you’re doing it the right way for a good result.
Before or after getting a bass guitar you have to know how to string a bass guitar in case the need arises.
Things You’ll Need To String A Bass guitar
- Your right or left-handed Bass Guitar
- A Set Of New Strings
- A Cutter or Plier
- Clean and Soft Napkin
- Cleaning Solution
The headstock is the place where most string changes are performed.
Step-By-Step Guide On How To String A Bass Guitar
The Steps to Restringing any number of String Bass Guitar is Categorized in two, Removing The Old Strings and Fixing the New Strings.
Your bass guitar
Your first step is to get your best bass guitar then follow these procedures;
Category 1: Removing the Old String.
- Step 1: Do not cut your strings off! Unwind them
- Step 2: You may want to leave the string uncut, if this is your first time stringing a bass, to estimate where you will cut the new strings.
- Step 3: Unwind the first string through the tuner until the winder wraps begin to visibly relax.
- Step 4: Drag it from the tuner once the string is loose enough. The end where it was caught in the tuner would be twisted.
- Step 5: The coiled up end of the string may need to be straightened to take it out of the bridge. It is only appropriate if your strings pass on the bridge through a closed hole, rather than an open slot.
- Step 6: Clean the exposed part of your bass guitar neck with the soft and clean towel
- Step 7: Repeat the Above Steps for all the strings.
Category 2: Fixing The New String.
- Step 1: Take the thickest string out of your pocket. There is a ring at one end and the other end is pointed and sometimes wrapped in silk.
- Step 2: If the old string had the right number of winds around the tuner, using it as a guide to length-cut the new string
- Step 3: With your wire cutters or pliers, cut off any excess string.
- Step 4: Drive the pointed end through the hole on the bridge which is nearest you.
- Step 5: Stick the string tip straight down into the hole in the tuning post center. Then bend it till it is resting at the sides of the guide.
- Step 6: Turn the tuning peg till the string is taut(Pressure isn’t needed till you need to tune).
- Step 7: Use your other hand to make sure that the string stays in place while you’re turning the tuning peg.
- Step 8: Repeat The Above Steps for the rest of the Strings.
- Step 9: Tune By Ear or With an Electronic Tuner.
How To Know When To Change Your Guitar Strings
When it comes to knowing when to change your guitar strings, there are ways you can figure that out. Basically there are three basic popular ways for you to know it’s time to change your guitar strings or restring it, these can be identified with how they look, how they feel when playing and how they sound but the most important of these three is how they sound to you when playing if they sound good and okay the right way then they are working perfectly fine, but if they sound dull, muddy or flat then it’s time to change them. And when it comes to looks also if your guitar looks dull and old and not as shiny as it’s supposed to be then it’s also time to change them to give it a better look.
Knowing when to change your guitar strings and how often you should depend on how you play, how much you play, how often you play, and how well you take care of the strings, all these will determine how long your strings will last for. If you play a lot then you would probably need to change your strings as often as possible at least every week or every two weeks. Some people can go for months without changing their strings while some change it after every show or every week it all depends on what you want and how well your strings still sound when playing because no doubt you can’t continue playing if your strings don’t bring out the sounds like they should when playing and this would even discourage you till you restring it.
And if you also want your guitar strings to last longer and won’t need to worry about changing it very often then you need to make use of some few tips like always making sure your hands are clean by washing them thoroughly before picking up your guitar this way you won’t be getting oils and diets on it that would make it develop faults quickly and another tip is that after playing always make sure to wipe your strings with a clean this way it would clean any dirt and oil in the way.
Conclusion
Well, now you have an in-depth idea on how to string a bass guitar and you know that learning and mastering how to string a bass guitar is no child’s play and it’s not also as hard as it seems you just have to follow the necessary steps and you’re good to go since it’s something you would be doing often.