How do you stretch?

Iritan · #1 09-10-2006, 01:22 PM

I searched, but just found people talking about strecthing, but no one explaining how to. I hear a lot about stretching your strings before using them, but don't know how to do so or why, can anyone helpses?

labgnat · #2 09-10-2006, 01:27 PM

put the new strings on and at the twelth fret grab the string and pull up on it, it gets the slack out of the string, pull it pretty hard a few times, retune it and do it again. if you don't do this ur strings will go out of tune often

FunkSlap89 · #3 09-10-2006, 01:59 PM

DR strings have a precaution on their packages specifically saying not to stretch them out. I usually do, but some people think it shortens the life of the string.

bkief1 · #4 09-10-2006, 02:10 PM

DO NOT stretch strings as described above as this has a negative effect on the metal wire. Tune up 1 whole step from your desired key for that string and leave it there for about 30 - 60 minutes. Retune and you'll be fine.

Blapto · #5 09-10-2006, 02:37 PM

Or tune it normally, and live with it going out of tune for the first few days. It will be normal after that, and you won't have stretched the strings.

Fuzzbass · #6 09-10-2006, 06:45 PM

I never stretch my strings. I just install them carefully: 2 or 3 wraps around the tuning post. I tune up as normal, riff around for a minute or two, then retune. That's usually enough to get 'em settled in.

Ampeg SVT · #7 09-10-2006, 09:22 PM

I noticed that when I stretch the strings the E sounds deader than it was when I put the strings on. I think ill do what fuzzbass does.

The Craw · #8 09-10-2006, 09:49 PM

I never stretch, and I've never had a problem with my strings staying in tune aside from an occasional problem with the tuner itself.

Stanley Design · #9 09-10-2006, 09:51 PM

I also do the tune up about a full step while changing strings. By the time I get the last string on and tuned up high, I can go back, tune the first three normally, get used to the strings for a few minutes, then tune the G correctly.

ihixulu · #10 09-11-2006, 01:51 PM

psst. hey buddy. wanna know a secret? come over here....

You don't need to strech your strings. Check it out, your strings are made out of metal, and the amount of force you would need to apply to strech them out would more than likely damage the neck of your bass. I mean, if you were actually stretching them out by hand, what was making them suddenly stop stretching when brought up to pitch with the tuning mechanism?

What is really happening when you strech your strings is that the slack is getting taken out of the wraps around the tuner. When you install your strings, take a look at how loose they are around your tuner, and particulary how much room there is between the crimp near the end and the first winding. As you raise the pitch there is a certain amount of slippage that occurs until the crimp and the windings butt up against each other, and countering tension/pressure becomes enough to hold the string firmly.

To prevent slippage what I do is make sure the wraps are laying neatly on the tuner's shaft, and then before I bring the string up to pitch, I use the rubberized end of my wire cutters to push the crimp and the windings down towards the headstock as I tune up. Voila, my strings stay in tune, and do not require streching.

tZer · #11 09-11-2006, 02:52 PM

I have never 'stretched' my strings. I always load 'em on, tune 'em up and play on 'em for a bit. Check the intonation, retune. But more often then not, they seem to hold their tuning pretty well.

ebe9 · #12 09-12-2006, 12:02 AM

I don't stretch strings anymore. I just put them on, tune up, play for a while, then retune.

Just repeat that procedure until the strings have "settled" in.

BaldBass · #13 09-12-2006, 01:33 PM

ditto tune to pitch.....retune a couple of times as things settle within a few hours everything will be great. Assuming the bass was properly strung in the first place (proper length, smooth tight wraps etc.)

ergodynebass · #14 09-12-2006, 01:48 PM

I didn't know you were even supposed to stretch strings, I always have put them on normally and play them.

Steve · #15 09-12-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ergodynebass

I didn't know you were even supposed to stretch strings.

You're not.

IMHO YMMV

FaithNoMan · #16 09-12-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihixulu

psst. hey buddy. wanna know a secret? come over here....

You don't need to strech your strings. Check it out, your strings are made out of metal, and the amount of force you would need to apply to strech them out would more than likely damage the neck of your bass. I mean, if you were actually stretching them out by hand, what was making them suddenly stop stretching when brought up to pitch with the tuning mechanism?

What is really happening when you strech your strings is that the slack is getting taken out of the wraps around the tuner. When you install your strings, take a look at how loose they are around your tuner, and particulary how much room there is between the crimp near the end and the first winding. As you raise the pitch there is a certain amount of slippage that occurs until the crimp and the windings butt up against each other, and countering tension/pressure becomes enough to hold the string firmly.

To prevent slippage what I do is make sure the wraps are laying neatly on the tuner's shaft, and then before I bring the string up to pitch, I use the rubberized end of my wire cutters to push the crimp and the windings down towards the headstock as I tune up. Voila, my strings stay in tune, and do not require streching.

+ 15

JimmyM · #17 09-13-2006, 03:20 AM

I stretch my strings because the slight little bit of dulling of the strings that happens is desirable to me. I don't like the sound of totally brand new strings right out of the box. I like them when they've been played in after a couple gigs. And stretching them helps make that process go a little quicker. Plus they definitely stay in tune better after they've been stretched.

mobax · #18 09-15-2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihixulu

psst. hey buddy. wanna know a secret? come over here....

You don't need to strech your strings. Check it out, your strings are made out of metal, and the amount of force you would need to apply to strech them out would more than likely damage the neck of your bass. I mean, if you were actually stretching them out by hand, what was making them suddenly stop stretching when brought up to pitch with the tuning mechanism?

What is really happening when you strech your strings is that the slack is getting taken out of the wraps around the tuner. When you install your strings, take a look at how loose they are around your tuner, and particulary how much room there is between the crimp near the end and the first winding. As you raise the pitch there is a certain amount of slippage that occurs until the crimp and the windings butt up against each other, and countering tension/pressure becomes enough to hold the string firmly.

To prevent slippage what I do is make sure the wraps are laying neatly on the tuner's shaft, and then before I bring the string up to pitch, I use the rubberized end of my wire cutters to push the crimp and the windings down towards the headstock as I tune up. Voila, my strings stay in tune, and do not require streching.

Good post.

EADG mx · #19 09-15-2006, 05:21 PM

^^^ Agreed.

I do not stretch strings, never have. New strings can have some tuning problems right after installation, but as stated that's because they have to settle on the peg. If you leave them alone and deal with the retuning for a day or two, the string tension will do the work for you.

PluperfectArson · #20 09-15-2006, 06:58 PM

I don't stretch the strings extensively, but I give them a quick stretch and check how in tune they are. Then I just play with them until they are settled in.