HOW TO RESTRING A VIOLIN
Has one of the strings on your violin snapped? Have you bought a new set of strings you want to swap out on the violin? Whatever the reason, rather than relying on someone else, it’s best to learn how to restring a violin yourself. Restringing a violin is not difficult and a valuable skill to learn.
In this post we’ll take a look at a step by step breakdown on how to restring a violin. After replacing a string on your violin a few times, you’ll easily be able to replace a string whenever you need to, in just a few minutes.
How to Restring a Violin
It’s important to mention here that you should restring each string on the violin one at a time. The strings rest on the bridge, situated at the bottom of the violin between the little nick in the f holes. Removing all the strings at once will cause the bridge to fall off, and may even damage the sound post. If you’re replacing your violin strings for a new full set, follow the steps below, starting with the G string, then repeat for the D, A and E strings.
Steps
- Removing the String to be Replaced
- Inserting the New String
- Check the Bridge Position
- Tuning the New String
- Repeat for Each String
Step 1: Removing the String to be Replaced
Unscrew the Fine Tuner
If the string you’re replacing has a fine tuner, first, unwind the fine tuner so it’s loose with no tension on the string. If you are not familiar with the Parts of the Violin, the fine tuner is a screw, situated on the tail piece at the bottom of the violin, below where the string is attached.
Note, some older violins may only have a fine tuner on the E string.
Unwind the Peg
Next unwind the corresponding peg on the string you’re replacing, by turning it anti-clockwise towards you (remember righty tighty, lefty loosey).
Remove the String
If the string hasn’t already done so, gently unhook the ball at the bottom of the string, from the arms or slot on the tailpiece of the violin. The string should now be completely removed.
Step 2: Inserting the New String
Hook the Ball
To insert the new string, start by placing the ball end into the arms or slot situated on the tailpiece of the violin.
Feed the String into the Peg
Next, find the corresponding peg on the pegbox, and turn it so the drilled hole is facing towards you. Feed the string into the hole entering through the front, so it just pokes out through the other side.
Wind the Peg
With the new string in place, slowley wind the peg clockwise, by turning it away from you (remember righty tighty, lefty loosey).
As you wind the peg, try to guide the string with your free hand, so it wraps around the peg from the inside to the outside. This will ensure the string winds on nice and neatly, to avoid overlapping, which can cause tension and issues when tuning.
Check the String Placement
As you slowley wind the peg, make sure the string lines up correctly. The string needs to sit in the groove on the nut, at the top of the fingerboard and line up correctly on the bridge.
If the ball end of the string has popped out of the arms or slot situated on the tailpiece of the violin, simply pop it back in.
When replacing the E string, you’ll notice a little plasctic tube that comes on the string. Slide this into position, so it sits on the string at the bridge. As the E string is the thinest and holds the most tension, it can cut into and damage the bridge. The plastic tube prevents this from happening.
Step 3: Check the Bridge Position
As mentioned, when loosening and tightening strings on the violin, it can cause the bridge to move. The bridge rests on the bottom of the violin between the little nick on the f holes. The bridge should appear to lean slightly back so that the side facing the tailpiece is about 90% to the belly, as shown in the picture.
If you’re’ replacing the strings one at a time, as recommended, the bridge should not move. However, if the bridge has moved slightly, grasp it firmly between your thumb and forefinger on either side, and gently position it back into place.
Step 4: Tune the String
Now you’ve successfully changed a string, it will need tuning. New strings take some time to settle, so will need tuning each time you play. How long differs depending on the type of strings you’re using and how often you play. I’ve found most strings tend to take a week or two, however the gut strings can take longer (my gut strings took about a month).
If you are new to tuning the strings on the violin, then read my post to help you; HOW TO TUNE A VIOLIN
Step 5: Repeat for Each String
You should now repeat these steps above for each string you are replacing. When the full set is replaced be sure to check they are all still in tune.
Summary
Hopefully you were successful in changing the strings on your violin. If you have any questions or feel there is something I have missed, please leave a comment below.
