? Before we begin putting the strings on let's start at the crucial first step and that's taking the old strings off. Most players pull all their old strings off then string up. It has been my experience that this method causes more tuning instability as the neck and tremolo units?suffer from a tension change and?this can lead to some "shifting" of the neck and tremolo. Here's a trick?the Pro guitar techs use. ?I would recommend changing out one string at a time as this method keeps tension on the neck and tremolo and makes for a guitar that stays stable and will hold tune better and faster right after the string change. Pro guitar techs simply don't have the time for a guitar to settle back in before a show or recording seesion and this is done all the time for better tuning stability.

? Here's a great tip. When winding your new strings it is important to not overlap or overwind the tuning posts. The string must make solid contact around the post?nice and neat. I would highly recommend a tuning peg winder for speed and accuracy. The thicker strings?E,A and D simply really only need 2 turns around the post and the?thinner strings G,B and E 3 turns?at?most.?Make sure to not?overlap your winds and keep them nice and neat.

? Here's another?trick the Pros use and this is very important. Most players change strings and then let the guitar sit a day or two for the strings to stretch but there is a tried and true faster way. O.k we are going to stretch the strings and here's a great method. With your fretting hand fret the low E string at the 12th fret and with your picking hand place the same string between your thumb and first finger. Now while pulling up on the string with your picking hand tug on the string 2-3 times while?raising it up from the guitar around 1-2 inches. Repeat this same method while descending down the neck every 2-3 frets.?Remember we are stretching strings here not trying to break them. I normally do all the strings this way then tune to pitch and repeat the process 2-3 times total for a good stretch. This will greatly improve your guitars tuning stability and it's also a good idea to stretch? them before you start to play every time regardless of new strings or not. One must remember that if you haven't picked up your guitar in a week and then start to play those strings need to be stretched and warmed up again.

Here's the summary:

1. Change out one string at a time then tune to pitch
2. 2-3 winds around the post nice and neat
3. Stretch the strings 2-3 times
4. Tune to pitch and enjoy

Guitar Guru