How to Change Bass Strings the Right Way

Co-authored by Scott Cushman

Last Updated: October 4, 2024 Approved

This is a brief guide that is very simple and shows you a quick way to change the strings on your bass guitar. After you have done it once you'll never forget how.

Things You Should Know

Turn the tuner to loosen the string and pull the string out through the bridge or body of the bass.
Thread a new string through the bridge assembly. Then, bend the end of the string, poke it into the tuner, and turn the key until the string is taut.
Use the same technique to replace the remaining strings and tune your bass before you start playing it.

1

Examine the head of your guitar.

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Note how the strings come off the grooves in the nut at the top of the neck, pass or bypass holders and the direction that they wrap around the tuners. This is very important for tone. You should have no less than 2 wraps around each tuner but no more than can fit around the tuner without overlapping.

2

Loosen the first string via the tuner until the wraps on the winder begin to visibly relax.

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You can either take all the strings off at once and put new ones in all together, or do them one at a time. Some people prefer to change them one by one because it prevents changes in stresses on the neck. Others will periodically remove all the strings at once so they can clean the fretboard more easily. But that's your choice.^{[1]
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3

Get the string is loose enough then pull it from the tuner.

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It will be bent on the end where it was stuck into the tuner.

4

Pull the string out either through the bridge or the body, depending on your particular bass.

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Sometimes it will be difficult to grasp the end of the string to pull it out, so alternatively begin by pushing the string out then pulling.^{[2]
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5

Clean the revealed portion of your bass guitar neck with a soft cloth or towel.

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There are MANY treatments available to clean your guitar with, pick whichever is your favorite.^{[3]
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6

If the old string had the correct number of winds around the tuner, use it as a template for cutting the new string of the same gauge to length.

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If not, it still can be used to guide you in cutting the length of the new string.

7

Pull the new string of the same gauge through your bridge assembly in the exact manner you removed it.

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Be careful not to damage the guitar finish. Pull the string completely through the bridge before laying it on the nut.

8

Bend the end and poke it into the center of the tuner.

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Make sure not to put the tip in before wrapping if possible, since doing this will twist the string and can lower its integrity and sound quality.^{[4]
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9

Thread the string through and around guides, if any, being careful not to damage the string.

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Finely wound or strings with coatings can be nicked or bent easier than one might think.

10

Pull the string taut, tighter if you want but tension is not necessary here.

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Wrap it around the tuner until there is about an inch left.

11

Examine the wraps on the tuner; they should not be overlapping, but lay side-by-side nicely.

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Correct it if necessary.

12

Hold the end in the tuner and turn the key until it begins to pull tight, and bring it in close to tuned.

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A final tuning will be performed after all strings have been restrung. There should be at least two complete wraps present on the tuner, but still no more than can fit on without overlapping. The new string should sit on the bass just as the old one did.^{[5]
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13

Replace the rest of the strings following the previous steps.

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14

Tune your bass guitar and play!

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Community Q&A

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Question

Should I wrap from bottom up?

Community Answer

It doesn't matter as long as you make sure the strings are long enough and in right order.

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Tips

If you would like to extend your strings' lifespan, then keep your bass in a case, or buy coated strings. Strings left exposed oxidize faster and lose their tone sooner.

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Never attempt to adjust the bridge unless you know what you are doing or you'll need to have your intonation reset.

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Try different brands of strings until you find the ones that fit your style and budget; different strings can have drastically different tones.

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Warnings

Using round wound strings on a fretless bass can groove and damage the fingerboard over time, so stick with flat wound strings.

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Be careful not to damage the nut on your guitar or you'll be using the Wiki on how to replace your nut!

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Helpful 11 Not Helpful 3
Never tighten the string until it breaks to get it off of the guitar. Sure you'll save some time, but because bass strings are so thick you'll probably break the neck in two. Also, the bridge could fly off and hit you in the face.

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Make sure that you buy strings of the right scale length. If you are not sure what the right length is, search the internet for information or ask the salesman at the music store what length your particular bass requires.

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Be careful removing strings. They CAN and WILL poke you.

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Cutting strings puts awkward twisting forces on the neck.

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Due to the amount of tension the bass neck normally resists, do not remove all the strings at once, since this can severely damage the neck components including the truss rod and wood.

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Don't mess with your truss rod unless you know what you are doing. You can easily split the neck of your guitar!

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