Changing Strings

Hi,
I've got a dumb question on changing guitar strings. I usually remove all the old strings, clean up the fretboard & then restring. I am hearing lately that I should change 1 string at a time so the neck doesn't bow since it was relieved of all the tension.

Is this correct?
Spconn3

I do the same as you. Cleaning the fretboard with the strings on, or some of them, would just be too much of a pain in the neck.

I've never had a problem with my neck warping or anything doing it this way.

I wouldn't leave the guitar sitting around with no strings on it, but having none on it for long enough to start putting the new ones on once the old ones are removed I think is fine.

I'm sure there will be a variety of opinions on this, but that's my take on it.

I'm for the one string at a time method myself, if you're taking all the strings off the guitar you will release a lot of tension that is on the neck, normally when you have your guitar set up or serviced by a guitar tech they will remove all the strings to file and dress the frets and also clean the neck but when they re-string the guitar they will do bridge and truss rod adjustments to make sure everything plays nice with the neck under tension. But even after these adjustments it can take a few days to settle in properly and further tweaks may be needed, remember the guitar is mainly wood and has a certain amount of movement to it.
It's only my opinion but I would personally minimise the amount of times you take all the strings off your guitar unless you are planning to make truss rod and bridge adjustments too

Thanks for the responses so far. 2 distinct views on changing strings. Both appreciated. I just got my first set neck guitar. My strats are bolt on as you know. Since I am really not comfortable fooling around with the Truss Rod, I think I'll do one string at a time until I learn more.
Thanks

I'm with fuzz and for the very seem reason; your truss rod is set up to counter balance your string tension. With out that tension, your guitar will take much longer to settle in to that balance if it does at all without an adjustment to the truss.

Leave on.

When I clean the build up from the fretboard, I just move the string aside. It's not all that hard and honestly, I don't bother thinking about that there is an easier way. Why bother thinking that way when there is really only the most recommended way which is to maintain tension on your neck and leave the strings on.

Well I heard good luthiers say it dosnt matter and others say it does matter. So I'm gessing you can just go ahead and do what you like best :)
But if you leave your neck without strings for a long period of time, you will most probably have to adjust the truss rod when you put strings back on.
I for one have always taking all my strings off at the same time on many different guitars since I started to play and I never had a problem.

I change the strings the Taylor way which is one at a time. I can clean the fret board with the strings on (takes alot of time) and that is what I do. However, when I did take all the strings off my Yamaha A1M and cleaned and oiled the fretboard I made sure when I put new strings on the setup was to my liking. It was so there was no need for me to do it (I do my own setups).

I usually change strings about once a month. When I do that, I just change 1 string at a time. But, about once a year or so, I like to do a major P.M.
(preventative maintenance) and remove all strings, polish frets,clean and condition fretboard, clean and polish hardware and body of guitar. After restringing, then I will go through the entire setup which I have become comfortable with after watching many instructional (YouTube, etc.) videos.
The secret is to only make very minor adjustments when tweaking the truss rod. If you are not comfortable with that, you could do all of the other tasks and then let a local luthier do the final intonation adjustments...but it's really not that difficult. I think my method will prolong the life of the guitar and improve playability in the long run.

For what it's worth, I bought a 2012 Gibson Les Paul Standard new and in the case was information on the Guitar from Gibson and it states to change the strings one at a time, not all at once.

I also bring my guitar in once a year for a full set up and cleaning. That is when they take all the strings off at once and make the adjustments after.

The general point to be made is that uneven pressure on the guitar neck is bad. If you choose to remove all the strings at once, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it... Loosen the strings completely two at a time. Start on the outside and work your way in or inside out - doesn't matter but keep the tension on the neck equal.

That's the basic hitch in the argument. Personally, I change string size sets so many time that almost every time I change strings on a guitar I give it a full set up. Very rarely do I change strings on a guitar and not take all of them off at once.