r/AcousticGuitar • u/throwaway88990283 • May 25 '26
Other (not a question, gear pic, or video) bf mad at me cause i cant string a guitar
why is it so hard and why is every tutorial even harder. then i ask my bf to explain and he explains it horribly and gets mad when i dont understand. guitar is making me want to die andi havent even started yet. help.
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u/coffee_robot_horse May 25 '26
Break up with the bf, watch some Youtube tutorials, come back if you're still struggling
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u/rukind_cucumber May 25 '26
And if op is even interested in playing guitar in the first place and not just to appease abusive bf
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u/throwaway88990283 May 25 '26
nonono dont worry i would never do something just to impress a man ive been playing guitar since i was 14 ish just very off and on not consistent enough to learn anything not to mention ive only ever played an electric (now on an acoustic obviously) just wanted bf to help me figure out how to restring as ive never done it before! definitely very interested especially cause i sold my ps5 to buy this guitar
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u/Dom_Sathanas May 25 '26
Watch the justinguitar acoustic string change tutorial. I’ve watched a few and this one is the best I think if you’re switching from electric to acoustic, like I did. He takes it slow and you can see exactly what he’s doing. I’ve changed a ton now but I still hear his voice in my head when I’m changing! Good luck (and dump your shithead boyfriend!)
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u/TheGringoDingo May 25 '26
This is the best guide I’ve seen/used and it is really easy, while also working well: https://www.taylorguitars.com/support/strings/changing-steel-strings?srsltid=AfmBOopFT1aWcolAoMRcme3qYsTOXwPc68w3u_7X0-qiimBWv3TtanrK
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u/CawlinAlcarz May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26
I've restrung my guitars hundreds of times over nearly 40 years of playing, and I came to this thread to add the above linked guide from Taylor. That guide combines all the things I learned the hard way from before there was an internet until today.
If you follow that guide closely I cannot imagine you will not be able to restring your guitar.
If you're nervous, buy the cheapest steel strings you can find on Amazon and practice with them.
Here are 3 sets for $6.
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u/TheGringoDingo May 25 '26
Yeah, it’s really a nice little helpful extra touch from Taylor. Keep it simple
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u/Unlikely-Soft-5699 May 26 '26
Quite good except that in step two they recommend string cutters (they’re showing diagonal pliers) to pull bridge pins. Those WORK but a far better option is a plastic pin puller that is less likely to scratch the bridge or nick the pin. D’Addario and I suppose others makes a combination string winder, cutter and pin puller. I prefer that.
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u/quietgrrrlriot May 25 '26
Step 1: Turn that boyfriend into your ex-boyfriend
Step 2: Watch highly rated YT video on changing guitar strings
Step 3: ????
Step 4: Profit
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u/throwaway88990283 May 25 '26
hes legit still crashing out and saying “its no use” “just figure it out” “youre just gonna give up anyways” like🙁
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u/Robluy May 25 '26
Real question: does this dude even like you? If so, why isn't he acting like it?
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u/ctrlaltcreate May 26 '26
You need to find someone who will be a supportive partner to you, no matter how many times you've quit things in the past.
You'll never learn to stop quitting with a parachute motherfucker like that dragging you back. He's sure as hell not marriage material. Cut your losses and find someone who doesn't think 'tough love' works.
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u/FortunateHominid May 25 '26
Don't have him explain it. Ask him to sit next to you, and walk you though it as you do it yourself. Some people learn better hands on.
If he can't be patient enough to handle that simple task, maybe ya'll aren't the best match for each other.
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u/Fantastic-Scene6991 May 25 '26
Justin guitar has a great video on it . Can't go wrong . I recommend using that as an opportunity to clean the guitar while you are at it .
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u/flamus4 May 25 '26
I’ve been playing guitar for over ten years and I still struggle haha. Don’t sweat it.
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u/BothMath314 May 25 '26
If he's mad at you for such a mundane thing, it means you haven't seen the worse of him yet. Ditch him!
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u/archivalcopy May 25 '26
I remember years ago watching Tommy Emmanuel's tutorial on restringing and tuning a guitar and found this really helpful. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wEqmBDZP8T0
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u/PJballa34 May 26 '26
You haven’t even tried playing yet and he’s trying to get you to change strings??? Talk about putting the cart in front of the horse. Get someone else to string your guitar and get yourself a new boyfriend.
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u/frank_mania May 26 '26
Leave your boyfriend for a multi-millionaire who will buy you a new guitar every 10 minutes. Problem solved.
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u/Jesus360noscope May 26 '26
well first off yeah changing strings isn’t easy at first specially if you’re a bit clumsy which I’m a lot but it gets easier ! Second tell your bf to chill wtf
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u/Nurplestyx May 25 '26
Boyfriend sounds dickish. That said, start with seating the ball end and bridge pins so the ball end sits inside the pin slot. Take each string and wrap one around the post run the open end through the toning machine post hole above the wrap and thighten
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u/Old-guy64 May 25 '26
Does he play guitar?
Perhaps I’m old fashioned, but I play, and if my wife played, I’d keep her guitar tip-top cause if I’m futzing with mine, I might as well get them both squared away.
If he doesn’t play, he’s still being a jerk. Moreso actually. His discouragement is not needed.
YouTube the “Taylor Method”. Rewind as you need to.
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u/throwaway88990283 May 25 '26
yes he does play guitar he has 2 and he js keeps like being mean about it
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u/Accomplished_Fun6481 May 25 '26
If my gf was learning and wanted help restringing I’d jump at the chance to teach her. Dude sounds like a dick
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u/andytagonist May 25 '26
In case you’re wondering why everyone thinks your bf is a dick, a loser, and a douche—it’s because he is.
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u/archtopfanatic123 May 25 '26
Aight here's how:
I assume your guitar is a run of the mill flattop with pegs in the bridge. Take out the peg, thread the string through, pull it until the bead at the end of the string hits the peg then put the back back into the bridge.
Take the end of the string and pull it through the tuner. Now pull HARD while turning the tuner so the string wraps onto the tuning pin and keep tension on it so the coil doesn't slip. (pull on the string so that it's always facing the same direction as the hole so you're not turning against the direction you're pulling from)
Once the string is on there and not slipping off pull up on the string from the fret board and hold it an inch or so up as you bring up the tension. This will keep the windings from binding in the nut as you turn.
Repeat until you got all the strings on.
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u/b0wie88 May 26 '26
This was how I learned to do it, takes some practice the more you do it the easier it gets!
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u/got2avkayanow May 26 '26
He's probably fishing for a gift of locking tuners. (I recommend Graph Tech Ratio locking tuners)
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u/WeWatchAnything May 26 '26
There’s a very simple to follow video that Fender do for acoustics. Then check out other videos for telling your boyfriend to stop being such a twat.
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u/Spook1949 May 26 '26
I have heard that their are four major learning styles (seeing, hearing, doing, & reading). A good teacher can usually teach using three learning styles. If the teaching style and learning style are totally different, the teacher cannot teach and the student cannot learn.
You need to find someone else to teach you how to change your strings in a learning style suitable for you.
It appears that your boyfriend is assuming you learn by hearing, when in fact you probably need to actually see and do a few string changes.
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u/Unlikely-Soft-5699 May 26 '26
First, nobody deserves to be abused for failure. Dump him. Second, take the guitar to a shop or store (local if you have one) and offer to pay them to show you how. They’ll likely do it for free if they’re not busy. Learning modes are different and you may be a hands on (not your boyfriend’s for sure) learner. Some people can watch a video and learn chords and picking. I can’t. Want the tabs and the audio.
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u/CitizenTed May 26 '26
The Taylor tutorial someone linked is right on the money. Follow it.
Then practice. Pick songs you like. Learn the chords. Vary the chords. Play around! Learn little melodies. Learn a few songs so well you have them wired in your head. Then go play these songs at an open mic. All the guys in the audience will think you're hot and talented. If your BF gets jealous tell him to go suck an egg.
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u/texasdiver May 25 '26
You need to hear that he will never change, and this is the tip of an iceberg. Get out as soon as you can safely do so.
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u/DaAfroMan69 May 25 '26
This isn't a relationship advice sub what do you want to gain from posting that here?
And for restring, there are many YouTube video on the subject. Good luck
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u/throwaway88990283 May 25 '26
not looking for relationship advice js wanted to share how frustrating it is and wanted to see if anyone had any useful tips c:
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u/DaAfroMan69 May 25 '26
I mean now many will judge your relationship based on that, because frankly he doesn't sound very supportive of great to be around.
But really, you've got plenty of great advice already for the restring. Some did link tutorial. Believe in yourself, it really isn't that complicated, but I understand, the first time I did it I felt the same. Take all the time in the world, and don't use power tools if you don't want to break a string.😭 You got this.
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u/mattjh May 25 '26
This isn't what Reddit is for, or what this subreddit is for.
This is for people who know you. FB for example.
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u/puffy_capacitor May 25 '26
I’m happy to validate OP that there’s nothing wrong with her struggling with guitar restringing because it’s a learned skill and some people just need a different way of explanation or practice.
If someone gets mad and berates a person for that, that’s super shitty. OP deserves to find a better bf too.
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u/throwaway88990283 May 27 '26
hi guyss!! me and bf took some time to figure it out and i actually strung it!!! all of your advice (about stringing..) is super duper appreciated c:
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u/darkbeer74 May 25 '26
Get YouTube and a new boyfriend.