How many stretch their strings?

[madmatt]

When you install a new set of strings do you give them an initial stretch after you install them?
I am not saying this is a right or wrong thing to do, I just wanna know how many do it.

[kombi]

Nope. They get straight on the bass.

[fingerbun]

Stretch them on the bass so they are tight and stay in tune. But that can't be what you meant.....?

[Duckwater]

I always give new strings a couple of stretches right after I put them on and do the initial tuning. I just pull on them lightly throughout the length of the strings.

This is exactly what you DON'T want to do
How to Play Bass Guitar: Beginner Lessons : Stretching Bass Strings Before Tuning - YouTube

[FunkMetalBass]

I do stretch them. I put them on, pinch my fingers on the strings, and give them a little twist about every two inches down the length of the neck. It's not excessive and certainly helps with initial tuning stability.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

I always give new strings a couple of stretches right after I put them on and do the initial tuning. I just pull on them lightly throughout the length of the strings.

This is exactly what you DON'T want to do
How to Play Bass Guitar: Beginner Lessons : Stretching Bass Strings Before Tuning - YouTube

That kid in the video is a complete moron!

[hec86]

I stretch before tuning but I couldn't tell you for certain whether or not it makes any difference.

I've never tried a controlled experiment or anything. It's just habit.

[lowfreq33]

I'll tune each string a whole step above pitch and then back. This way the string is stretched in a linear fashion and isn't being stressed at the bridge and nut.

[maxgrant]

I used to stretch 'em but I don't anymore. Didn't seem to make any difference, as they pretty much are stable within a day or so.

[Tevatron]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

This is exactly what you DON'T want to do
How to Play Bass Guitar: Beginner Lessons : Stretching Bass Strings Before Tuning - YouTube

WOW! That is hilarious!

[cjmodulus]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

I always give new strings a couple of stretches right after I put them on and do the initial tuning. I just pull on them lightly throughout the length of the strings.

This is exactly what you DON'T want to do
How to Play Bass Guitar: Beginner Lessons : Stretching Bass Strings Before Tuning - YouTube

...wow...

[droo46]

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

I'll tune each string a whole step above pitch and then back. This way the string is stretched in a linear fashion and isn't being stressed at the bridge and nut.

This makes the most sense to me but I don't stretch my strings.

[Art Araya]

yes, i stretch them which helps them stay in tune

I fret each string at various lengths and stretch lightly while fretting the note.

[tekdiver500ft]

You aren't actually "stretching" them, but I chose that option as I know what you mean. You are actually taking the slack out of the winding around the tuning machine and settling the string into itself. This is a great thing to do, so keep at it.

[onosson]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

You aren't actually "stretching" them, but I chose that option as I know what you mean. You are actually taking the slack out of the winding around the tuning machine and settling the string into itself. This is a great thing to do, so keep at it.

Exactly. I try to wind my strings slowly and methodically, but even then there can be a bit of slack left.

As to that video posted, I'm beginning to think that "Expert Village" is some kind of hoax - I haven't seen one of their videos on any subject that wasn't ridiculous!

[SBassman]

That guy in the video might have a hack way to stretch them, but, he's better off than everyone in this thread saying it's not necessary.

This is a non question. Of Course you should be stretching your new set of strings.

If you are not, and you don't think it is necessary, then one of these two have to be true for you:

1. You can't hear when your bass is out of tune.

2. You don't actually play your bass after changing your strings.

[MissionTbird]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

This is exactly what you DON'T want to do
How to Play Bass Guitar: Beginner Lessons : Stretching Bass Strings Before Tuning - YouTube

Ouch....He really seems to take a professional standpoint there, nice stretching technique

I've been stretching my new strings since I was old enough to change my own strings. However, not as fiercely as the guy in the video.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

You aren't actually "stretching" them,

You're getting them to settle around the post, but, yes, you Are stretching them, too.

[AmadeusXeno]

I get me bass in tune then stretch, retune, play some aggressive slap, then retune again. After all that my new strings stay in tune better. I've tried not stretching before, but whenever I didn't stretch them my bass wouldn't stay in tune for a whole song for about 3 days of regular playing.

[makkE]

There is NO need to do this before each tune-up. You can do it after you put up new strings, like ONCE, but you should not "yank 'em as hard as you can" - this can't be good.
It can help to make the winding tighter at first. I tend to do it, but I make sure I pull horizontally, rather than vertically. Similar effect. Lowfreq's method is valid too - tune them a little higher at first does the job too - something I like to do on nylon guitar strings, since those take a while to settle.

You should just tune your bass a lot when strings are fresh - just tune them every half hour for a day or so - after that, they should stay in tune nicely, unless you have done a real messy winding.

Also, adding some lube to the nut and saddles works wonders for tuning stability and should be done with each string change. You can also simply use a pencil on your nut and saddles, the graphite is a great lubricant.

I bet this guy's strings go dead 3 months before their time, the way he treats them.
I wonder how much injury his stupid advice has already caused.

By the way, I have never dared to do this on flats, because they tend to be sensitive to twisting and being in a shape other than straight. Never had any tuning problems. I bet you could kill flats instantly with this "yanking 'em as hard as you can" :P .