• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Do you guys stretch your strings?

#21
I don't think the core itself actually stretches unless you put ridiculously high tension on it - and then, you are just hurting both the bass and the string. You want that core to be even - not stressed in several areas ; }

What actually happens when you lightly jerk on strings when they are on the bass is that it pulls the radius of the string that's around the tuner shaft tighter if the string was just put on and hasn't been under playing tension for long yet, and seats it a little. Pull a little harder yet and you are stressing at witness points, tuner, and bridge.

I just put 'em on, tune up about a whole step to tighten that radius around the tuner shaft, and take 'em back to tune. That does the same thing where its needed without putting undue stress where it's not needed ; }
 
#23
wow...............just wow........

I stretch new strings by tuning each string to sharp then tuning back...ie: Tune to E# then back down to E and same with A# to A, D# to D, G# to G...then a day later I re-check the truss rod and and intonation.

Then if they go out of tune I re tune....

But I am no expert like captain expert village, what do I know? Well I do know I am not taking tuning advice from a guy with what looks like his underwear on his head.
 
#24
Thanks, all, I thought this guy must have been full of it but he does seem to be able to play, looking at his other videos (at least better than me).

My over stretching story happened when I started as a young teen and as I was tuning a string, I did not realize I was a full octave over. That was one over stretched string after that (and yes, I had to replace it, and since they don't sell individual bass strings, at least never seen anyone doing it ...).
 
#27
The guy in the video won't be happy until someone loses an eye...


I don't stretch or overtune when changing strings. I never change them just before a gig so I don't mind waiting for the string to seat itself firmly on the post. I might have to retune once before it stays stable but it's no big deal.

I think it's not worth possibly shortening the life of a string, and I've never broken one yet or had any tuning problems in general on any bass, so I'll stick with my non-method.
 
#30
It's not only about the string seating on the post. If you don't overlap the winding on the post, there's really no seating to be done. Guitars with locking trems also need the strings stretched, so that shows it's not just the wraps around the tuning post.

The new string just stretches a bit, and after it settles in, it continues to stretch as the metal fatigues. If it didn't stretch, you would never have to retune!
 
#32
OK.. I finally watched that video.

Is that guy nuts? Just one of his first pulls is all you need... and that's not the one where he picks the bass up and shakes it! And one or two minutes per string? His strings must sound pretty dead after that!

That's funny he says; "I've been playing bass a whie..." I have strings older than him! :D

That's crazy. :rollno:
 
#33
ProfGumby said:
I stretch new strings by tuning each string to sharp then tuning back...ie: Tune to E# then back down to E and same with A# to A, D# to D, G# to G...then a day later I re-check the truss rod and and intonation.
Click to expand...

Same as what I do. Tune it up, play a few bars. Retune up a step (I go a whole step up, to F#, B, E, A) and play a few bars. It often stretches down to where I want, and then stays there. If not, I tune it down again.
 
#34
I've never stretched bass strings, and never felt the need to -- never had any problems staying in tune as long as I installed the strings correctly and had decent tuners on my bass.
Guitar strings, on the other hand, I stretch a tad, just by playing some regular bends. Helps get rid of any slight slack around the tuners or bridge.
 
#37
Duh...That guy is a real expert. Why is he wearing his underware on his head? I would rather use my bass to shoot Archery with. I always take advise very seriously from a kindergarden drop-out.
 
#39
T-MOST said:
All you are doing (no actual stretching of string) is reducing any gap or slack around the tuning pegs. A little tug on the string after tuning is all thats required... and yes I do it after changing strings.
Click to expand...

Except when you are using a locking nut on a Floyd equipped guitar for example, and you still have to stretch the strings. So slippage around the tuning shaft is not the issue. Plus there is no gap or slack when the string is at pitch.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back