Strings Help

Hi,
I'm getting around to changing the strings on my Squier Standard Stratocaster, with the tremolo bridge. I've read some articles on how to change the strings on this type of guitar, they tell you how to put in the new ones, but they never really tell you how to take out the old ones :(

I guess I'm supposed to remove the back panel, and so I did that. I loosened up the 1st string and thats where I'm stuck. I can't get the string out through the back. Am I supposed to do something with the bridge?

Help is appreciated... I'm new at this. Thanks

First you release the string from the Headstock ...

Then you push it from the bridge so that it comes out from the back of your guitar... There's a ball at the end of the string, which hold the string into the body from the back of the guitar.
i.e. if you tried to pull the strings from the bridge the ball will hold it, & probably it will never get out unless you break it . :D

If you're still stuck, go to the guitar store and let anybody there show you how to do it, changing strings on a Strat is realy an easy job ... It just may be a little annoying for the first time.

P.S.
===
After you finish your job , winding the strings till the right tension can be very painful and time wasting job too ... Get a "string winder" if you don't have one.

what are string winders for??

Yes thats the problem I can't push the string to get it out from the back. I've only tried it with the first string though, which is really thin, so when i push it, it bends to the left or right. I'll try pushing the 6th string out.
thanks

Originally posted by Devin11
what are string winders for??

A string winder is a small plastic machine that fits into the machine heads (tuners) , so it makes it easier for you to rotate.
It realy saves lots of pain & time... Their price range is from $2 to $5 , and they last forever.

Check out this link : http://www.jimdunlop.com/accessories/winders.html

I remember I've seen string winders that are rotated by screw drivers ... Haven't tried these but they should be cool.

Push gently.
Maybe the ball is stuck, it might have eaten
its way in to the wood.
Take a needle or something and try to get it out.

to get the string out of that little part, i recommend getting a thin screwdriver or something and just poking the ball-end on the side (you'll get it when you do it). but don't worry, i just do a little jab and then you just pull them out (after you unwound them from the headstock). the only hard part is taking out the ball-ends and the rest is self-explanatory.