Restringing a nylon string classical guitar is fun! It takes a little extra work than a steel string guitar but it isn’t anywhere near as bad as you think. Let’s look at the steps involved.

How To Restring A Nylon String Classical Guitar

All the steps are the same for all strings except the B string and the high E string, where you have to add in an extra loop to keep it from slipping.

Restringing The Low E String

Step 1: Detune and Remove Old String

Using your hands or a string winder, detune and remove the string from the head stock and undo the string at the bridge and discard

Step 2: Place The Non-tapered End Of The String Into The Hole On The Bridge

Some nylon strings have a tapered end, use the opposite end and stick it into the proper hole on the bridge. Give yourself an extra 4-5 inches from the bottom of the bridge to allow you enough room to tie down the string.

Step 3: Pull The End of The String Underneath Where It Goes Into The Bridge (from the left side to the right side)

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The Low E String

Pull the string underneath and pull it taut to give it a crease.

Step 4: Cross Back Over The Top Of The String (from right to left)

This gives the string friction to hold in place once tension is applied.

Step 5: Push String Through The Opening Between The Bottom of The Bridge and Where The String Comes Out

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The Low E String

As you can see from the photo, make sure the string goes through the little space between the top of the bridge and where the string comes out from the bridge. Doing so will lock the string in place once tension is applied.

Step 6: Pull Taut

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The Low E String

Pull the string taut and make sure the string has stayed in the same place from step 5.

Step 7: Retune The String

Be sure to keep applying tension while you are tuning up or else the knot might become loose.

Restringing The A, D and G String

Restringing the A, D and G strings have the exact same steps as the low E string but with an added step: tying the loose string from the E string into the A string knot.

Step 1: Detune and Remove Old String

Step 2: Place The Non-tapered End Of The String Into The Hole On The Bridge

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The A String

Step 2b: Place End of The String From The Previous String Over Top of The End Of The Current String

This will make sure that the end of the E string will be knotted together with the A string. See Step 3 photo for placement.

Step 3: Pull The End of The String Underneath Where It Goes Into The Bridge (from the left side to the right side)

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The A String

You can see now that the E string is caught in the knot of the A string.

Step 4: Cross Back Over The Top Of The String (from right to left)

Step 5: Push String Through The Opening Between The Bottom of The Bridge and Where The String Comes Out

For this step, make sure the end of the previous string is underneath the new string. Otherwise, the knots will be out of line and may cause damage to the bridge. See step 6 photo for placement.

Step 6: Pull Taut

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The A String

 You can see that the E string is on the bottom and the A string is on the top.

Step 6b: Clip The End of The Previous String

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The A String

 Before you tie down the current string, clip off the previous string to make things neat.

Step 7: Retune The String

How To Restring the B and High E String

Restring the B and high E string is the same as the previous strings but you have to add in an extra loop around the bridge to prevent the strings from slipping.

Step 1: Detune and Remove Old String

Step 2: Place The Non-tapered End Of The String Into The Hole On The Bridge

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The B String

Step 2a: Put An Extra Loop Around The Bridge

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The B String

The B and the high E string have a tendency to slip if this loop is not in place.

Step 2b: Place End of The String From The Previous String Through The Two Loops

 
Since we have to loop the B and high E string, you need to feed the previous string through the loop.

Step 3: Pull The End of The String Underneath Where It Goes Into The Bridge (from the left side to the right side)

Step 4: Cross Back Over The Top Of The String (from right to left)

Step 5: Push String Through The Opening Between The Bottom of The Bridge and Where The String Comes Out

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - The B String

Step 6: Pull Taut

Step 6b: Clip The End of The Previous String

Step 7: Retune The String

Step 7b: Clip the High E String

Completed Restring

Restringing A Nylon String Classical Guitar - Completed

That wasn’t so bad was it?  Now everything is restrung and looks neat.

Any questions?

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