How to Change Ibanez SA Series Guitar Strings: A Comprehensive Guide
Changing the strings on your Ibanez SA series guitar might seem daunting at first, but with the right steps, it's a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your playing experience. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can change your strings with ease and bring new life to your instrument.
Tools and Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials:
Replacement guitar strings (Ibanez SA series specific) String winder or utility knife (for cutting string wraps) Pinch nose pliers (optional, for unwinding thicker strings) Tuner key or guitar pick holder (for adjusting string tension)Step 1: Removing the Old Strings
Start by taking off the old strings. This should be your first step to ensure you have a clear surface to work with. Pay attention to the following:
Loosen the tension by turning the tuning keys slightly until the string is free but still in place. Use the tuner key or guitar pick holder to pull out each string. Make sure you do this one by one to avoid any accidental further loosening of other strings. Once the string is pulled, unwind the wrap if it’s a wound string, being careful not to let it slip off the tuning post completely.Step 2: Preparing the New Strings
Preparation is key to a smooth string-changing process. Here’s what to do:
Thread the new string through the bridge. For Ibanez SA series guitars, feed the new string through the back of the guitar up through the holes in the tremolo system to the tuners. Once the string is through, loop it around the tuning post from the bottom, up the post, and over the top. Tighten the string by turning the tuning key and checking the tension with your pinched nose pliers if needed (for thicker strings).Step 3: Handling the Tremolo Bridge
Working with the tremolo bridge can be tricky. If you find it particularly challenging, you may need to unscrew the backplate to get better access to the tremolo components. Here are the steps for that:
Locate the screws on the back of the tremolo bridge. You might need a small, Phillips-head screwdriver for this task. Use the screwdriver to gently loosen and remove the screw, exposing the underside of the tremolo bridge. With better access, now you can reposition or secure the strings directly under the vibrato arm. Reattach the backplate by screwing it back in place.Step 4: Fine-Tuning and Tuning Up
Once all strings are installed, take the following steps to ensure they’re properly tuned and adjusted:
Use a digital tuner to check the pitch of each string. Start with the lowest string and work your way up. Adjust the tension by turning the tuning keys until the strings are at the desired pitch. Pay attention to ensure that all strings are in tune simultaneously. Consider fine-tuning using a string winder to make adjustments more precise.Conclusion and Helpful Videos
Changing Ibanez SA series guitar strings can be a rewarding and relatively simple task. By following these steps, you can ensure your guitar is set up for optimal performance. If you need visual guidance, check out Fender's instructional video on string replacement, which, although it features a different guitar model, employs the same method for changing strings. Happy string changing!