How to Restring a Bass
Let's face it, a bass is necessary to the band, and strings are necessary to play a bass. So let's restring a bass.
Up next in Guitar for Beginners (11 videos)
Become a guitarist with the guitar lessons in this Howcast video series for beginner guitar players.
You Will Need
- Wire cutters
- New strings
- Tuner
- String winder (optional)
Steps
-
Never change all the strings at once; do it one at a time.
-
Step 1
Unwind the string
Unwind the tuning peg by turning it to loosen the string; then pull the string off the tuning peg. Cut the crimped end off and pull the rest off the guitar.
-
You can use a string winder to unwind the string quickly.
-
Step 2
Prepare new string
Take the new string out of the package and unravel it from the coil.
-
Check the package to make sure you're using the correct gauge of string.
-
Step 3
Prepare the bass
Stand the bass on end and turn the tuning peg so the hole in the peg is in line with the bass and not perpendicular to it.
-
Step 4
Thread the string
Thread the end of the string through the tail piece, over the bridge, into the ridge piece, up the neck, over the nut, and through the peg from the top.
-
Step 5
Wind the string
Secure the string at the nut with your thumb; then wind the string a few turns to secure the slack.
-
Do not wind the string too tight or it will break.
-
Step 6
Cut the string
Crimp the string about a half inch away from the tuning peg; then cut the string about a half inch past the crimp.
-
Step 7
Tune the string
Tune the string either by ear or with a tuner. Bend the string a bit while you're tuning to help break it in. Get ready to jam.
-
Leo Fender introduced the bass guitar to a larger audience with his "Precision" bass in 1951.
