Step 1. Changing Your Strings Strings are the life’s blood of your guitar. When your strings aren’t in top form, neither is your guitar. In order forstrings to provide the maximum performance, they should bechanged on a regular basis. Strings that have lost theirintegrity (worn where the string is pressed against the fret) orhave oxidized, rusted or are dirty respond poorly. To see ifyou need to change your strings, run a finger underneath thestring and feel for dirt, rust or flat spots. If you find any ofthese, you should change your strings. Always make sure to stretch your strings properly. After you have installed a new set and have them tuned to pitch,hold the strings at the first fret and hook your fingers undereach string (one at a time) and tug lightly, moving your handfrom the bridge to the neck. Re-tune and repeat severaltimes.