How should I wind the knobs on the headstock when changing strings on a folk guitar?

Starting with a one- or six-string, notice how the string cones are inserted in the holes. Place the new string in the hole so that the thickest part of the double-winding is away from the sound hole

Step 2

The string should be placed into the slotted hole and into the leading edge of that groove on the corresponding string cone, placing the headstock into the hole about 1-2 inches deep

Step 3

The string is held properly in place at the bridge by the small notch in the front edge of the string cone, pressing down on the cone, and then pulling a little bit on the string, making sure the headstock has been tightened against the inside of the guitar top. (Older guitars may have had a small notch at the front of the string cone hole, but these are no longer necessary for newer string cones.) After placing the strings and string cone, be sure to give the cone a firm press to hold it in place.

Step 4

Note: Most picks are not glued to the pick slots, and the tension of the strings will hold the pick in place and allow the strings to line up appropriately

Step 5

Be sure to tie the strings to the correct pegs (as shown in the photo). Thread the strings through the holes in the pegs, leaving some slack in the strings (reserve a section) because you will have to wrap the strings around the pegs a couple of times while tuning.

Step 6

After the string has been threaded through the hole, wrap the end of the string halfway around the peg in the opposite direction (clockwise for the three bass strings and counterclockwise for the three treble strings), thus tying the string in a knot and thus preventing the string from slipping. (See next step.)

Step 7

(Note: The guitar is laid out backwards so it's easier to see how the strings are locked onto the shaft.) After passing through the long section of the string, the shorter section bends back over the top of the long section. As you tune the string, you'll notice that this step creates a lock that prevents the string from sliding.

Step 8

After the strings have been tuned (A-440 standard setting), the extra string length can be cut off, usually 1/4 inch from the last bend. Note that there must be at least 2-3 turns of the string around the shaft, and each turn should be below the previous turn, or closer to the bottom of the peg. This keeps the strings from running out of tune better and looks neater

Step 9

Sometimes you may come across an older guitar that has a thinner bridge or has longer double windings on the strings away from the pegs. We don't recommend this way of attaching the saddle, so we'll show you an old strumming craftsman's trick and fix. Use one of the string heads from the old string to fit onto the new string against the first string head. This will effectively pull the string up to the bridge and move the thickest part of the string straight away from the saddle connection.