How do i change the high E string on my electric guitar i think it's a (Vinci) first act?

Question

yeah i broke a string and i need to know which brand of string to get, how to change it, and if i need something called a string winder. I'm teacing myself how to play the guitar so i can't exactly ask a teacher.

Answer 1

Brand won't really matter, but I'd recommend light gauge or mediums. I usually just use ernie ball strings because they're cheap. You won't really need any special tools, and to remove strings just start by winding the appropriate tuning key (the little key shaped metal or plastic pegs at the sides of the headstock(top of the neck)) clockwise to loosen tension. once the string is loose enough, you can just unwind it from the peg at the headstock, and it will either slip out of the bottom of the bridge (metal piece that the strings are all coming out of), or the back of the guitar. Then you'll just take the new string (make sure it's the right string, the gauges should be marked on the package), and thread it back through the bridge like the old one was. Run the new string back up the neck, making sure it settles into the same string guides as the old one, and thread it through the appropriate tuning peg. Try to wind the string around the peg so as to leave at least 2-3 full wraps around it, and turn the tuning key counter-clockwise to bring it slowly back up to tension.
It'll take a little while for the new string to stretch and be "broken-in", so you'll just have to play for a while, and re-tune, repeating this until it stays in tune. If you can make sense of this guide, it's really a simple procedure, and one that every guitarist should learn early on. You can keep the other new strings in case you break another, but I'd recommend that you go ahead and replace them all, as they will last longer anyways and probably sound better than the strings that came with your guitar. Good luck!

Answer 2

You could buy just the one string, but chances are you should replace all of them at the same time. Corrosion will make the others break and lose tone.

You don't have to buy a string winder, but it makes things easier. The folks at the guitar shop can show you how to change a string, or you can go for it on your own.

Feed the string into the back of the guitar or near the bridge where the holes are. Pull it all the way thru until the ball seats in the little recess. Next, take the other end of the string and pull it up along the neck to the winding pin where it should go. Leave enough slack so that you can draw an imaginary triangle from the bridge to the top of the guitar face and back down to the winding pin. Wrap all of that slack around the pin and tune it up. Clip off the extra wire with a pair of pliers or cutters.

It will take a few times of practice to make your strings look good & sound right... but you'll get it. Like I said, try the people at the music shop - they're usually willing to assist newbies.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Doesnt matter what brand, but if you know the size/gauge of the string itd be helpful.If you dont eye it up and try to get the closest match you can. Walmart will probably sell the same brand that the guitar came equipped with if you want the exact same strings.

Im not sure exactly how your strings load into the guitar, but if youve got the e string all the way out, you should at least know where it came out of, so put the new e string in there. Pull it all the way through, and make sure its tight and theres no slack.Line it up with the bridge, it should have a indentation to hold your string in place, and then get it to the nut at the top of the neck, but dont worry about them being perfectly lined up yet.

Now you should have the string going through the tuner itself.Pull it through here tight, then pull back enough slack to wrap the string around the tuner and still be a little loose.Now start turning the tuning peg so that it turns in a way that tightens the loop you just made, holding the string in your hand pulling back a little bit so it doesnt slip out of the tuner(if you leave it loose, the loop will unravel, and youll start over).When the string loops again around the tuner, make that loop go under the one you made yourself, this should keep the string pretty tight.

Now get the string in tune with an electric tuner.If you dont have one, your going to have to use your ear by hitting the e string on the fifth fret and matching it with the open a string.

Before you cut any extra string off, bend it at a good 45 degrees. Thats recommended by DR strings, so just do it haha. I also recommend buying DR strings, but thats my personal preference.

Also, if youve done that one and are confident in the results, you should restring the entire guitar if youve used the strings for a while allready.The new one will sound brighter then the other ones, and new strings are just glorious.

Answer 4

You can either get just the E-string or a new set of strings from a guitar store. If you haven't changed your strings in a while, I'd recommend changing the whole set. It also depends on how often you play - I play at least three times a week, excluding shows and change my strings every month, sometimes more frequently, especially before a big show.

I don't know if your guitar is an acoustic or electric, but you'll probably need a guitar tuner. A string winder is nice, but not a must have - you can just wind the tuning peg by hand.

Here's a link that teaches you how to change your strings (acoustic):
http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aachangingstringsa.htm
-after a while, you'll be able to change them in your sleep!

Answer 5

I'm guessing that your E strings plays an E until you try to fret it, and then it plays A flat. The suggests that either the first 3 frets are low or the 4th fret is high. Most likely the first 3 frets are worn down so far that when you try to fret them, it actually frets the string at the 4th fret instead. Sometimes you can file all the frets to the same height. Otherwise you're looking at refretting the guitar.

Answer 6

ive been playing for about 20 years,here is what you do,Buy a pack of new strings preferably a set of Ernie Ball between an .08 guage or a .10 guage and replace the entire set,if its a first act set then the strings are junk and will probably not last long anyway,my advice is if you are learning anyway ,keep a couple packs around for emergency,just go into the music store and ask for a set of ERNIE BALL super slinky-about a 10 guage ,the owner will know what you mean.and a stringwinder is handy but after time you wont need it anymore,GOOd Luck!