Changing strings

[Daniel921]

I'm about to put on a new set of strings on my 5 string bass. I've read something about "stretching" the strings while putting on a new set. I was wondering is it actually necessary to stretch them and if so what is the proper way? I'm putting on a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky if that matters.

 

[bolophonic]

I have never “stretched” my strings. I just make sure that they are not twisted when I install them and then I set my witness points once I’m all set up.

 

[Daniel921]

I have never “stretched” my strings. I just make sure that they are not twisted when I install them and then I set my witness points once I’m all set up.

What do you mean by witness points?

 

[bolophonic]

What do you mean by witness points?

Here, check this out: Witness Points: The Pictorial

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

I always stretch my new strings when they are being replaced and initially tuned. Been doing it that way for many decades. That process helps the string to stay in tune better as they get broken in. If you don't, you keep tuning the string constantly.

 

[cdef]

New strings will stretch for a while until they settle and hold their tuning. What I've always done after putting on a new set is give each string a few good tugs above the 12th fret, then above the 5th fret and the (sometimes imaginary) 24th fret. Tune up again, repeat as required. I'm aware there may be magic involved, but it's worked every time before a gig.

 

[DigitalMan]

I always stretch my new strings when they are being replaced and initially tuned. Been doing it that way for many decades. That process helps the string to stay in tune better as they get broken in. If you don't, you keep tuning the string constantly.

I don't put on the strings anything like that. I'd be concerned about twists in the string.

 

[Bass]

I don't stretch new strings, I'm comfortable letting them settle in naturally.

 

[Killing Floor]

Yep. If nothing else, your newer strings will hold tune better.
I'm not sure if I am doing it properly but I overwind about a quarter turn and try to make sure the strings come off the tuner post straight as possible.

 

[Glynn Murray]

My method - over 50 years - put strings on individually, I start with G string, wind it on about one and three quarters leaving about an inch to then cut and stick into the tuner. Try and make sure that when you put the string on from the bridge that it twists in a natural way to lie on the fretboard, not poke up. Not easy to explain but you will know what I mean.
Everyone will be probably different but the one thing I recommend is when the string is on, wind it up to pitch and then PULL it upwards to do a GOOD two or three stretches at 12th fret. Then re-tune. No-more should be needed as long as you have a decent bass guitar with good tuners and strings. Personally, I use Elites Nickel 40-100 and find them good and not a silly price (£20 UK price).
Glynn

 

[underwhelmist]

I don't put on the strings anything like that. I'd be concerned about twists in the string.

Me neither, it looks like a recipe for twisting and overlapping wraps in the tuner post.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I don't know if I do it the right way, but I stretch them. I put them on properly, untwisted, wound properly on the tuners, all that deal. Upon tuning to pitch, I then lay the bass across my lap on its back and stretch each string upwards, wiggling back and forth as I do, about enough force to JUST start to pick up the weight of the bass. I do it down around the bridge pickup, up around the end of the fingerboard, and at three or four more points along the scale. I'll usually do that four or five times per string, and I find that my basses usually stay in tune pretty damn well after a string change, so I guess it works? I dunno, I just always have. Made sense to me.

 

[Element Zero]

I stretched many years ago because someone told me I needed to do it. Now, I put the strings on, tune to pitch, play for a few minutes, tune again, play again, tune etc... after about 30 minutes I’m comfortable enough that they won’t go out of tune.

 

[Seashore]

"Stretching" is mostly about taking up slack from around the tuning pegs. I play pretty hard and I bend sometimes, so getting that out as much as possible is important to me; as I change each string, I bring it to tune, and then pull up on it gently but firmly around the twelfth fret while holding it down near the nut, and I repeat that until the slack is out and it stays in tune through the process.

 

[klejst]

Never stretched my strings, just make sure they are applied correctly is all and ever I have done.

 

[hieronymous]

I did it when I changed strings before a gig. Now I just keep playing them until they settle in. I think DR had something printed on their paper envelopes the strings came in suggesting NOT stretching the strings, I think that was the thing that put me off stretching them. You need to play them for a bit though, keep checking your tuning, they should stay in tune after a little while.

Actually, I think a lot is taken for granted here. Why stretch the strings? I always thought it was to get them to stay in tune quicker. And if that's the case, then I find that it isn't necessary unless you don't have time to play them in, then stretching may help.

 

[Gorn]

Not this:

 

[BOOG]

Not this:

Dork!

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Not this:

 

[bumble yeti]

I'm about to put on a new set of strings on my 5 string bass. I've read something about "stretching" the strings while putting on a new set. I was wondering is it actually necessary to stretch them and if so what is the proper way? I'm putting on a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky if that matters.

This guy.

John has a video series on bass setup and… he's a legend so I'd start here.