This is a pretty stupid question, but I've been changing my strings the wrong way ever since I've been playing guitar without realizing it! So..

There is one way to change guitar strings for unwound strings and another way to change for wound strings guitar. What is the difference between them? Why do you need two different ways for those two kinds of string types? I use to change the strings by wrapping it a couple of times around the post than putting it through the hole. I’ve realized that is the wrong way. The way to do it (for wound strings) is to put it through the hole first than on top of the string than the bottom of the string. My question is if you do that won't it slip? Or do you have to do the process a couple of times of alternating it up and down so it won't slip?

i just put the string through the hole and then i begin turning the mechanics..

The main thing that is confusing me is that I read on how to change the unwound strings and that is what I did. I put it through the post hole than untop of the string than below. But when I do that it doesn't seem like it is enough. It looks like it is going to slip.

There seems to be a standard for threading new strings. Guitar shops by my house always put it through the hole, leave about a fret or 2 slack, and wind going underneath the hole. They slip a lil bit untill their stretched out, then they stay in tune fine.

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Exactly, I wish people would've friggin told me when I first started guitar. People always just told me to put it through and start winding cuz they were too lazy to show me. I remember breaking 2 sets of strings cuz I didn't put slack on it and just started winding up. I think the easiest way to string them, is to put the string through the hole with like some slack, then crimp it, so it just stays on that spot when you wind the string.

Exactly, I used to just start winding but now I put on a bit of slack, still, I can't get it as neat as my local guitar tech!

To make it neat all you have to do is from the high E up give more slack. What i mean is when you put the string through the tuner whole starting on the high E have less sticking out before you wind it. Then on each string make it longer as you move towards the low E. Basiclly making each string shorter as you move to the low E. I hope this is understandable because its hard to explain rather than show someone.

Ive never had slipping trouble with my string and i dont even wind it over the top, but i usually put more than just 1 or 2 windes on the top of it.

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Yeah thats what I do, I put 2-3 coils on wound strings and 3-4 on unwound and it never slips. As long as the string doesn't slip, it doesn't really matter how you do it, there are different methods that work - I just use the one I was shown first.

Does anyone here use a string winder? I never used one and it sounds like a good idea for making it neat and fast.

i dissagree, nHoE's way pisses me off, he puts one string in one way, and another another way, so when i turn one mchine head to the right it tightens it, and on the next string it lossens it its really annoying, also, having to much extra string and not cutting it is evil

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i use them, there really neat, makes everything alot easyer

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practice makes perfect, and i wouldnt rely on shops "guitar techs" to do anything on my guitars, koz usually they do a shit job and are offended when i refuse to pay, fukken wankers.

i usually slip the string in the hole, with a bit of slack and start turning with the string wrapping below the hole, this pushes up against the string and locks into against the tuning peg. same for all six strings. then i stretch each string, bend it shake it and retune a couple of times, then i set the bridge tension (floyds), so that the bridge is level. then i lock the neck and finetune with the bridge tuners.

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A good rule that is quite easy and fairly consistent is to poke the string through the post and place your fingers (all four) perpendicular against the fretboard about half way along. Run the string over your top finger and that should be all the slack you need. Add a string winder into the picture and all is good, just start tightening.

Of course you can change the amount of finger slack down to three or whatever depending on your taste, or if you have fat fingers . Remember that the less winds you have for an open nut system the better (and you simply pull locking tuners tight with no slack).

This is the easiest way that worked best for me.

1- Put the string through the hole of the machine peg and be sure to stretch it with no slack
2- Than bring the string back through the hole around 1.5 in(just after the peg in front of it if it is 3 pegs on one side and three on the other side).
3-Now do one full turn with that slack. Than cut of around 5 cm of the string.
4-Now use the string winder to wind the rest. Use your fingers to pull on the strings while turning so to be sure to leave no slack. Also at the beginning of the turns use your index finger to keep the winds beneath the first wind.
5-Cut of the rest of the excess of the strings and you’re done for that string.
6-Repeat the process for all the strings.