Guitar strings break from old age, misuse, and tuning problems. However, you shouldn’t have to deal with broken strings every time you tune and adjust the guitar. Tuning is a regular part of playing this instrument, so important to know how to tune it and what you can do to avoid unwanted and unnecessary breakages.
To stop guitar strings from breaking while tuning, wrap the string ¾ of a turn around the tuning peg when stringing it. Make sure you file the frets and clean the bridge, nut, and tuning pegs every time you get new strings. Cleaning the strings will also prevent them from snapping while tuning.
In this article, we’ll explain how you can keep your guitar strings in good condition while tuning them. We’ll also dive into various maintenance suggestions to make sure your strings don’t snap for as long as possible.
Related: for the full overview, see our guide to the types of guitar strings.
String the Tuning Peg Properly
Stringing the tuning pegs incorrectly can result in premature breakages and unwanted stretching. It can also bend the tuning pegs, causing them to ruin the guitar’s tuning. When you string the tuning pegs, it’s important that you know which direction to go, how far past the peg the string needs to be, and which pegs each string goes to.
Here’s a detailed list of how to string the pegs properly to avoid tuning string breakages:
- Wrap the string ¾ of a turn outward around the tuning peg. Ernie Ball (one of the most popular guitar string manufacturers) suggests winding ¾ of a turn around the peg because it shifts the tension point. This method prevents the strings from compressing the nut and causing a weak spot.
- Pull the string at least an inch and a half through the peg before stringing it. Slide the string through the tuning peg, cut it 1.5 inches above the peg, then pull it back down. You can use the ¾ turn method with the top ½-inch of the string. Adding an inch and a half to two inches above the string prevents it from stretching too much.
- Always make sure the strings are on the inside of the tuning peg while being pulled outward. If the strings go outside of the pegs, they’ll put inward pressure on the pegs and cause them to break. This bending tension also loosens the peg screws and strips the headstock’s wood.
- Tighten the tuning pegs before and after stringing and tuning the guitar. The tuning pegs hold the strings, but they move a little bit when you string or tune the instrument. These slight movements will loosen the strings after a while, so it’s better to tighten the pegs to prevent them from happening.
Strings that are too heavy or too light for your tuning add strain. Check yours with our free string gauge finder.
Tune up to pitch slowly and watch the needle: our free guitar tuner shows exactly how far each string is from the note, so you never overshoot.
Clean Your Guitar Strings Regularly
Cleaning your guitar strings will prevent wear and tear, rust, corrosion, and grime from ruining them. Furthermore, it’ll stop them from snapping every time you tune the guitar. Dirty strings are abrasive and weak, which means they’re much more likely to break when strumming, fingerpicking, stretching, bending, and more.
Try this simple guitar string cleaning method:
- Wipe the strings with a soft microfiber cloth. Microfiber won’t damage the strings because it’s non-abrasive. Some towels will leave cotton fibers, so make sure you remove them before playing the guitar. Gently wrap the cloth around one string, slide it down the string, then move to the next one.
- Use a guitar cleaning solution to clean all sides of the strings. Try the Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes (available on Amazon.com). These wipes pack a punch when it comes to removing the dirt and debris off of your guitar strings. Each pack contains 20 wipes, so you’ll have enough for many months to come.
- Let the strings air dry in a room temperature location. Don’t store the guitar in extreme temperatures or humidity because moisture and heat can ruin the wood and the strings. It’s important to let the strings dry before putting the guitar in its case; otherwise, they might develop rust and corrosion.
Never use citrus oils or anything other than chemicals designed for cleaning guitar strings. Many household chemicals can cause immediate damage to the strings. Furthermore, they can invite rust, corrosion, grime, and buildup.
It’s best to replace the strings if they look rusty or corroded. These strings can’t be cleaned, which means they’ll likely snap while you’re tuning them. You’ll also run the risk of cutting your fingers on rusty guitar strings, which could cause unwanted issues.
Maintain the Bridge, Nut, and Tuning Pegs
Maintaining every part of your guitar is essential, especially the parts that touch the strings. If anything damaged comes in contact with your guitar strings, it’ll ruin them. For example, an uneven bridge or nut could put too much tension on the strings. If the tuning pegs are warped or broken, they won’t secure the strings while tuning or playing.
Follow these quick guides to maintain each of these components:
Bridge Maintenance
To maintain the bridge of your guitar, wipe it with a microfiber cloth every time you remove the strings. Make sure the bridge is glued to the guitar if it came that way. Align the bridge in its slot, then string the guitar to prevent it from shifting. You can file each string slot on the bridge if they’re warped or scuffed.
Nut Maintenance
The nut sits at the opposite end of the bridge on the neck. It’s between the tuning pegs and the fretboard, which means it supports the strings at a very influential point. You can maintain the nut with the same suggestions as the bridge. Use a soft cloth, clean it with a guitar cleaning solution every time you remove the strings, and make sure it’s glued to the guitar.
Friction at the nut is a top cause of breakage, so a quality nut lubricant is worth adding to every string change.
Tuning Peg Maintenance
Maintaining your guitar’s tuning pegs is fairly straightforward. All you have to do is make sure you string the guitar correctly (as mentioned above) and tighten the mounting screws whenever they get loose. Use a soft cloth to remove oils and buildup, but don’t apply liquid since it could rust the screws and warp the wood.
Stretch Your Guitar Strings
Stretching your guitar strings will prevent them from snapping while tuning, strumming, and fingerpicking. Contrary to popular belief, stretching the strings adds strength to the guitar. This process ensures they won’t break due to minor stretches while tuning. It also lets you bend the strings much easier.
So, how do you stretch your guitar strings, so they don’t break when you tune them? Try the process below.
- Gently press the strings behind the nut. This area is the tightest part of the guitar strings. The tension builds from the tuning pegs to the nut. Lightly press them about ⅛ of an inch down, then release. Do this process for each of the strings until they feel a bit more flexible. You can do this every week or so if necessary.
- Hold the base of each string, then softly push the top of the string up and down. This step stretches the longest part of the string. Not only does it prevent the strings from snapping while you’re tuning them, but it also helps you slide, bend, pick, and strum the strings without worrying about them breaking.
- Tune the guitar, repeat steps 1 and 2, then tune it again. Stretching the strings will slightly change the guitar’s tuning. You’ll have to adjust each tuning peg after stretching them. It’s a good idea to stretch them two or three times, ensuring that you tune them between each stretching session.
Note: Don’t stretch the strings too hard. The last thing you want is to ruin a good set of strings. We highly recommend onl