String Stretching

selowitch · #1 03-04-2009, 11:17 AM

Fender's setup guide reads in part:

Quote:

After the whole set is changed and tuned, stretch your strings properly by holding them at the first fret and hooking your fingers under each string (one at a time) and then tugging lightly, moving your hand from the bridge to the neck. Re-tune and repeat several times.

By "holding [the string] at the first fret," do they mean "fretting the string at fret #1" with the fretting hand while tugging the string with the plucking hand?

I'm confused.

()smoke() · #2 03-04-2009, 11:25 AM

yes, that's what they mean

but if you install the strings correctly, there's no reason to do this, imo...plently of people do it, but to me it isn't necessary

msiner · #3 03-04-2009, 11:34 AM

This has always seemed like one of those things you only need to do if you need to use those strings immediately and need them to stay in tune. Your strings will stretch to a comfortable position over time and this is just a way to speed the process up so they don't go out of tune one minute into playing. It's probably something you would see a touring guitar tech do if they change the strings every few days because the strings never really have the time to settle before performances.

selowitch · #4 03-04-2009, 11:48 AM

Well, necessary or not, I would like to at least understand Fender's rather poorly written recommendations before I decide whether to ignore them or not. Overall, I think the guide is unnecessarily complicated and would benefit from better editing and some illustrations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msiner

This has always seemed like one of those things you only need to do if you need to use those strings immediately and need them to stay in tune.

When would one not need the strings to stay in tune?

MRuss · #5 03-04-2009, 03:01 PM

yeah, i stretching is pretty key. On the last set of strings i put on, i didnt bother to stretch them and i'm still paying for it.

Johnny Mack · #6 03-04-2009, 03:38 PM

i usually tune up and play some simple aggressive slapping lines on each string. tune up again, and maybe play again and thats it.

selowitch · #7 03-04-2009, 03:51 PM

We're getting off-topic a bit here. I'm primarily interested in understanding Fender's instructions, and only secondarily figuring out if they are worth following or modifying. Not to criticize the responses so far, but that's mainly what I'd like to discuss.

Are there other parts of the Setup Guide with which people have trouble?

HogieWan · #8 03-04-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

We're getting off-topic a bit here. I'm primarily interested in understanding Fender's instructions, and only secondarily figuring out if they are worth following or modifying. Not to criticize the responses so far, but that's mainly what I'd like to discuss.

Are there other parts of the Setup Guide with which people have trouble?

seems like your first post and the thread title talked about stretching strings and barely mentioned the guide. don't get upset if that's what people talk about.

even though you started the thread, you don't own it

selowitch · #9 03-04-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HogieWan

seems like your first post and the thread title talked about stretching strings and barely mentioned the guide. don't get upset if that's what people talk about.

Who's upset?

Quote:

even though you started the thread, you don't own it

No, but like anyone I can say where I'd like it to go. That and $2.00 will get you on the subway!

73jbass · #10 03-04-2009, 04:02 PM

Why not contact Fender and ask them? Just a thought.

lunker · #11 03-04-2009, 04:03 PM

I've never done it. Never had any problems either.

selowitch · #12 03-04-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

Why not contact Fender and ask them? Just a thought.

Not a bad idea. But I did get a good answer here, too. I guess I could send Fender a whole annotated version of their Setup Guide, but that might come across as kind of anal. Guilty as charged. I edit books for my day job!

scottbass · #13 03-04-2009, 04:18 PM

Fender's instructions mean fret each string at the first fret with one hand, hook a finger from your other hand under each string near the bridge (finger between string and bass) and pull upward (away from bass/fretboard) as you move your finger along the length of the string (from bridge towards nut). Of course it won't be possible to get a big ol' fat finger between the string and the fretboard at the first fret, but go as far as you can with it.

By the way, some string manufacturers (DR, maybe?, and others, too) recommend AGAINST artificially stretching the string. I never do it. It seems like it could indeed damage the string if you're not careful. You've just got to plan ahead and change the strings a couple of days before your next gig to give them time to naturally stretch to where they want to be.

curbowman · #14 03-04-2009, 04:22 PM

Steinberger double-ball strings were designed to avoid this problem.

Ned Steinberger says the reason strings need to be retuned repeatedly when new is not because they need to stretch, but the way they are winded around tuner's posts, instead. When we grab the strings and stretch them from top to bottom, we are making the windings around the tuner's posts tighter.

According to Ned, the Direct-pull system just stretches the string in a linear movement, thus eliminating the need of hand-stretching it.

Now, that's what he says. Can a headless player (no pun intended) confirm this?

selowitch · #15 03-04-2009, 04:24 PM

That's interesting about Steinberger. As far as needing to change strings before a gig, switching to flatwounds means you face that situation less often. And for the style of music I play (and the way I play it) really lends itself to that sound. I like to say flats make me sound more like ... me!

JustDavid · #16 03-04-2009, 04:30 PM

How far do new strings tend to go out of tune when played for a 4 minute song?

selowitch · #17 03-04-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

How far do new strings tend to go out of tune when played for a 4 minute song?

Depends. But "in tune" is pretty much an all-or-nothing proposition -- the extent to which an instrument is out-of-tune is largely beside the point.

JustDavid · #18 03-04-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Depends. But "in tune" is pretty much an all-or-nothing proposition -- the extent to which an instrument is out-of-tune is largely beside the point.

Then, with equal temperment, every fretted instrument is out of tune.

Resisting further side-barring, what had me ask was wondering if tuning up every song if the first set would be often enough for an average user. I don't know; I never change strings.

ErebusBass · #19 03-04-2009, 05:20 PM

Any strings will stretch after you put them on. All this does is stretch them a little more initially so they hold tune better sooner.

I do it every time.

selowitch · #20 03-04-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Then, with equal temperment, every fretted instrument is out of tune.

Resisting further side-barring, what had me ask was wondering if tuning up every song if the first set would be often enough for an average user. I don't know; I never change strings.

Can you clarify this? I don't really understand.