- 1). Place your guitar on a flat surface and locate the tuning key for the string that needs to be repaired. Determine if the string can be repaired on the instrument or if you will need to change the string entirely. If a string breaks, you will need to replace it with a new string. If the string has stretched somewhere near the bottom or top end, you may be able to repair it on the guitar.
- 2). Loosen the tuning key that goes with the broken string. When the string is loose enough, pull it from the tuning key. If there is enough extra string available, cut the string just below the break to remove the broken area.
- 3). Place the end of the string back through the hole in the tuning key and rewind it around the base of the tuning key. If the string doesn't go around the tuning key at least two turns, you should replace the string with a new string. You might be able to continue using this string, but there's a good chance it will break again almost immediately.
- 4). Remove the broken string completely if you aren't confident the repair will hold. Do this by loosening the old string and pulling it completely free of the tuning key, then grasp the string end by the bridge and pull it toward you until the old string comes away from the guitar.
- 5). Slide the end of a new string (the end without the string stop attached) through the string opening in the bridge and pull it along the length of the fretboard. Seat the string in the appropriate slot of the nut, which is the plastic piece at the top of the fretboard. Slip the new string in the string hole of the tuning key, then wind it two or three turns around the base of the tuning key.
- 6). Tighten the string by turning the tuning key clockwise. After four or five turns, lift the string away from the fretboard to stretch it. This will prevent the string from going out of tune after it has been tuned. Use a digital tuner to ensure the correct pitch as you tune.
- 7). Clip the excess string with wire cutters after you've tuned your new string, making sure to leave at least five inches extra available in case you want to attempt a repair job in the future.
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