How to Adjust New Guitar Strings

After you put your new strings on and before you tune them up to pitch, it is a good idea to stretch them out. You wouldn't think 'metal' stretches but keep in mind the strings are extremely thin and will stretch enough to get you instantly out of tune if you don't stretch them a little at first.

Go through each string one at a time following these steps: Take your index finger and your thumb and hold the string at the halfway point between the nut and the bridge. Gently lift the string up and away from the guitar. Pull the string up about an inch and hold it there for a few seconds. You should feel the tension increase. Slowly put the string back down repeat this process a couple times. Don't tune it up yet. Go through all the strings and stretch them first using the same method.

After you've given the strings a good stretch, tune all of the strings up to pitch with an electric tuner. Now go through each string and gently stretch them again. They'll probably go out of tune after your first tuning. Keep stretching and tuning until the strings no longer detune after a good stretch.

Checking for Fret Buzz

Fret buzz can be caused by any number of things such as string height that is set too low, a guitar neck that needs adjusting, or individual fret problems. You might have a bit of fret buzz if you play really hard, even more if you like to down-tune, but the key question you should ask is simply, 'does this sound good?' Some say that it doesn't matter if you have fret buzz on your guitar if you can't hear it through your amp. It does matter because it affects the playability of your guitar! Sound should be treated as a whole ' from the split second you make a noise on your guitar to when it reaches the ears of your audience.

Play each string at every fret. If you get to a fret and the note doesn't ring or you can tell it is hitting a fret, make a note of it and have a professional check your guitar. Check for a local guitar-repair service in your area.

Don't let it scare you too much, you may just need a bridge or tension-rod adjustment. It may not have anything to do with your frets. If it is your frets, you may not necessarily need new ones. Sometimes frets can be recrowned.