I take all the slack out every time I restring. If all is well, the bass stays in tune forever after that.
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How many stretch their strings?
- Thread starter madmatt
- Start date
I usually put a new set on,then stretch'em with my thumb/index finger from side-to-side a couple of times at the 12th fret. Tune it up, and they're good to go.
The guy looks like he's jerking off, LOL.
Anyways, I just got some new Slinky strings on my two basses today, and I just yanked them once or twice all along the string (not as savagely as the guy in the vid, though), once they were tuned already. Did another tuning to get them to the correct pitch. They seem to be allright, played with both basses one hour each, and they stayed in tune fine. I'll try tomorrow and see if it worked (if they're still in tune).
Stretch - yes. Grab a string and yank the bass up and down holding only the string? No.
I just grab the string with my fingers and push my thumb against the body of the bass (gently) and then along the fretboard as well, having already tuned the fresh strings. Even stretching them never puts them more than a step out of tune, and I don't repeat the stretching. Once is enough, and the whole thing is over in less than a minute. Then the only time I ever need to tune is for temperature changes or if the pegs get moved during transport in the gig bag.
I just grab the string with my fingers and push my thumb against the body of the bass (gently) and then along the fretboard as well, having already tuned the fresh strings. Even stretching them never puts them more than a step out of tune, and I don't repeat the stretching. Once is enough, and the whole thing is over in less than a minute. Then the only time I ever need to tune is for temperature changes or if the pegs get moved during transport in the gig bag.
- Dec 12, 2007
- 2,268
- 43
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Zon Guitars, Tsunami Cables, DR Strings, GK
I was told to stretch them when I first started playing way back when. The guy said it would help with the bass staying in tune. All it seemed to do was kill my strings. Since then when setting up my bass w new strings, I tune it and retune it, then let it sit over night. Never had a problem since. I also don't have old tuners that slip like I started out on, or a wooden neck that is less stable than the ones I have now.
Generally, no matter how hard I play, my strings will stay in tune unless I bump a tuner.
Generally, no matter how hard I play, my strings will stay in tune unless I bump a tuner.
Sorry, I put them on very tightly to the tuner, and many times came back over a week later and the bass is still in tune.
I take it your hearing is more intact than a Boss TU-2?
My Ric almost NEVER goes out of tune. It's always the 6 string sitting next to it that does. I've checked the tuning months apart and the bass never moves.
I stretch the crap out of my new strings for two reasons:
1. They're not settled in around the post until you do it
2. I've been surprised by a new an unstretched set of strings coming loose and detuning
3. For the miniscule amount that it makes brand new strings sound less new, I'd rather not have to worry about going out of tune (besides, I don't like new strings fresh out of the pack...I like flats as dead as possible, rounds a little bit broken in)
1. They're not settled in around the post until you do it
2. I've been surprised by a new an unstretched set of strings coming loose and detuning
3. For the miniscule amount that it makes brand new strings sound less new, I'd rather not have to worry about going out of tune (besides, I don't like new strings fresh out of the pack...I like flats as dead as possible, rounds a little bit broken in)
I think the guy in the video is going a bit far, but really, what is he doing that is so horrible? I'd much rather see someone pull the strings that way, than see some of you pulling them side to side (parallel to the fretboard). Busted nuts are not cool. Sig that. Is it that you don't think your bass can handle force being applied in the direction it was designed to have force applied?
To be fair, I don't stretch my strings to that extent... I tune all strings to pitch, and give a helping push with two fingers, at both the bridge and the nut, to help create the bends at each witness point. But, while I am winding the string on the tuning post, I keep a substantial and steady pull on the string until it is getting close. So, the string is wound nicely on the post, and the witness points at the nut and the bridge are 100% before I even plug it in. They are about as settled as they are gonna be after this.
To be fair, I don't stretch my strings to that extent... I tune all strings to pitch, and give a helping push with two fingers, at both the bridge and the nut, to help create the bends at each witness point. But, while I am winding the string on the tuning post, I keep a substantial and steady pull on the string until it is getting close. So, the string is wound nicely on the post, and the witness points at the nut and the bridge are 100% before I even plug it in. They are about as settled as they are gonna be after this.
I tune them a half step high and let them settle by playing them for a while after putting them on then i let them sit overnight and then i tune them to pitch
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".
I wouldn't do what video guy does, but count me among those who think the vitriol against him is misplaced.
If your perspective is that strings can go dead three months before their time, you need to take into account that some players (me at some points) would change strings far more frequently. After maybe ten hours of playing time in my case when I really want the fresh roundwound sound.
When changing that frequently, it maybe is a bigger deal to stretch them so they will stay in tune, since I can't play them in.
LMAO!! Shaking his bass while holding on the a string. Who in the blue he!! ever showed this kid to do that?
Just stretch 'em out before you tune and you should be able to play oh, say a good 10 or 12 songs before you have to retune.
LOL, what an idiot.When you restring give 'em a tug or two after you bring them up to pitch, retune and you should be set. All that kid is doing is turning the tension of his strings to mush if he does that after every 10-12 songs he plays. It's ridiculous.
Sorry, I put them on very tightly to the tuner, and many times came back over a week later and the bass is still in tune.
I take it your hearing is more intact than a Boss TU-2?
My Ric almost NEVER goes out of tune. It's always the 6 string sitting next to it that does. I've checked the tuning months apart and the bass never moves.
Well my hearing is at least as intact as a Boss TU-2
And I'm right there with ya!
The only reason I would stretch (and by stretch I mean over tune and play as much as possible) is if I where stringing right before a gig.
Also FWIW, I seem to remember reading on a package of DR's not to stretch.
I think if string makers say not to, maybe, just maybe I should listen to them.
1. I can, and so can my Polytone tuner
2. I do, but not on stage directly after restringing. I'll usually make sure they hava an hour or so on them before using on a gig
String makers don't even recommend it, I've never found it useful, and I don't bother. New flats benefit from being pushed down on both sides of the saddles and nut to create a witness point, with rounds I don't bother.
Whether string manufacturers recommend it or not, it has never hurt my strings, bridge, or tuners, and I've been stretching them for over 40 years. Does it help with tuning stability? Easy enough to find out. I say yes.
