Stretching out new strings?

Poor Tom · #1 01-26-2009, 08:26 PM

I might have looked too much into it, but I have often heard others around here tell people to make sure they stretch their new strings. What does this mean? Is it a literal thing that is supposed to be good for the strings, or just a fancy way of telling them to start playing and having fun?

thanks!

Iv@N · #2 01-26-2009, 08:32 PM

I don't think it's fancy way of start playing lol.
Most people say it's good to stretch them to help them stay in tune faster (because they're now) . i think, do not quote me.

Nevertheless, DR string packages say it's bad for the life of the string and you should try no to do it as you can break the inner core of the string

IrishBassLad · #3 01-26-2009, 08:34 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHTM...eature=channel

Don't get mad at your bass, but thats the general idea.

Fred19137 · #4 01-26-2009, 08:36 PM

I have never heard of actually physically stretching strings. However, once I got new strings the day before a show so I let then sit over night so that they would not still be stretching durring the gig. I am not stopping between each song to retune! Normal regular size string take a full week before they really are completely done stretching. If the stretching is a big factor to you get light strings(like me) and it takes half the time to stop stretching!

Fred19137 · #5 01-26-2009, 08:38 PM

when i said i let them sit over night i meant, I left them sharp all night.

Iv@N · #6 01-26-2009, 08:45 PM

I left them stretch over night too.
Even though it's hard not to play with a set of new strings

pbd · #7 01-26-2009, 08:54 PM

I stretch the strings on my guitars a bit but I've never done it on a bass. The bass strings seem to hold their tune better sooner than the guitar strings do so I've thought about doing it on a bass. Longevity isn't a problem on guitar strings though because they are so inexpensive so you do what you got to go to get them up and running fast.

my 2 cents on the subject
Todd

Pilgrim · #8 01-26-2009, 11:08 PM

Once I put them on I don't change them unless one breaks - so letting them stretch in and settle is a one-time thing. They're playable right away, but the sound doesn't settle in for a few months.

markdavid · #9 01-27-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishBassLad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHTM...eature=channel

Don't get mad at your bass, but thats the general idea.

The person on that video should not be allowed near a bass , I wouldn't let him near my bass ,
Stretch my strings , feel my fist

Godbody · #10 01-27-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishBassLad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHTM...eature=channel

Don't get mad at your bass, but thats the general idea.

Yikes... I'm not gentle on any equipment, but that was a bit much.

For the record, when I put a new set on (usually 6-9 months between when my E grenades on me), I put a finger under the string at the bridge and gently lift up and slide my finger all the way up to the nut. If I forget to do this, I'm constantly retuning for the first week.

Also, to be fair, my Jag is the most temperamental bass I have ever seen as far as anything involving setup. Might not be so bad for others.

jsingles · #11 01-27-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishBassLad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIHTM...eature=channel

Don't get mad at your bass, but thats the general idea.

ROFL another piece of PRO advice from expert village....

just pick it up like THIS! and SHAKE IT!!
your bass WONT go out of tune of you do this! even if you have cheap tuning pegs and its FREEZING cold out!

i wonder how many times he has snapped brand new strings right off.