They come in a sealed package so you KNOW your strings are as fresh as the day they were made. Next, if you've just bought your guitar - you'll want to take off those factory guitar strings. They're mainly on there to (1), Keep the tension that the neck and body and the guitar are holding onto, (2) Help you get a good idea of what the actual guitar sounds like, and (3), Well, that's where they go... :o)
Now let's talk about what to do next:
1) Only change one guitar string at a time.
2) This is important - you want to retain as much tension as possible.
3) A big mistake would be to take all 6 strings off your guitar.
4) A bigger mistake would be to not immediately put new strings on that naked fretboard.
5) Take off string #6 and break the packaging wrapper on your strings for the new #6.
6) Put that sweet new string in the hole that doesn't have a string in it.
7) Pull the string tight towards the left (near the headstock of the guitar)
8) Now, gently pull the 6th string back towards the right about 1.5 inches or about the length from the first fret to the second.
9) Finally, you'll be able to execute the "Mind your P's and Q's" METHOD!
10) Bring the string around the string holder and UNDERNEATH the current string.
11) Now do a 180 UP and back over the string and WIND/ HUG it around the tuning post COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.
12) This is the point where you start winding your new string. It's also the key trick in getting those strings to KEEP their TENSION. :o)
13) OKAY - if the MACHINEHEADS are in a straight line of 6, then just make the "P" as you're wrapping the strings around themselves. But if you have a traditional acoustic guitar, you'll need to REVERSE the direction, making the loop CLOCKWISE. This will be on strings three, two, and one - RESPECTIVELY.
14) Get your electronic tuner out & plug it into your guitar or rest it on the top portion of the very end of your fretboard so you can see it as the notes come up in pitch. You're looking for notes "E, A, D - G, B, and e". ALSO: make sure your tuner is in 440 Hertz (Hz); it's possible to accidentally miscalibrate this number. Basically, 440 Hertz is how "fast" your 5th - A String is vibrating. PRETTY COOL, RIGHT?!
15) After you get the strings tuned as close as you can to perfect, stretch them out using your right hand's thumb and index finger to bend each individual string. Push your thumb UP and your pointer finger DOWN. This helps the strings to "set in" MUCH, MUCH QUICKER. It's the preferred method of changing a string out fast - and when you're out on the road or worse, on the stage performing livetar lesson - THIS WILL COME IN HANDY. After tuning and stretching all the strings like this, you'll want to break out the electronic tuner again one last time. ;o)
AND THERE YOU GO! You're the proud owner of a perfectly strung guitar.
Enjoy and happy jamming!
