How many stretch their strings?

[FaithNoMan]

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.

It's cool. Maybe I was grouchy last night, but I really hate seeing that guy do that with that bass.(in the expert village vid)

 

[dvh]

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.

Really? I should change my strings first thing after I wake up on Saturday morning, then stay put all weekend? Do people even read what they are posting here?

 

[BassinCT]

After I put on a set of DR sunbeams: tune, play & retune when done.
The next day, the pitch is still where I left it and it is very stable after I play it again. They also last quite a long time for me.

If you yank on the strings or excessively stretch them, I would be concerned about the core wire stretching unevenly along the vibrating length of the string. paranoia? yeah. Gentle stretching is probably fine, but I would ask an expert from a string manufacturer what they recommend.

 

[f.c.geil]

You're getting them to settle around the post, but, yes, you Are stretching them, too.

Then you're doing it wrong. I may not have worded it clearly enough, but what I'm saying is that you should pull them away from the neck firmly enough to settle them onto the post and into the nut, but not so much that you are stretching the string.

 

[fingerbun]

It's cool. Maybe I was grouchy last night, but I really hate seeing that guy do that with that bass.(in the expert village vid)

Expert Village is named in irony.

 

[Sterrance]

That kid in the video is a complete moron!

+1

 

[JimmyM]

If I did what manufacturers told me to do, I'd be broke!

 

[Porkbun]

I bought sets of DR Neons. I tuned them up, left them for a bit, tuned them up again, waited another bit and tuned them up again, waited a bit and then fine adjustments. Thats it. Good for a few months after that.

 

[One Drop]

It takes a village to make an idiot.

 

[darkstorm]

I'll initially briefly bring them up a half to whole step above tuning then down to pitch.

 

[Josh Pelican]

I put them on, then pinch them at the 12th fret and tug on them a few times, then tune them.

I'll play for a bit then do it again.

 

[Pilgrim]

I mount 'em, I tune 'em, and I play 'em. For the first month or so, they'll stretch themselves and settle in.

 

[Ron G]

This is how I stretch my strings:

STRINGS

New strings can breathe new life into your bass. Much of the thump and pop you expect from your bass starts right there. For strings to stay in tune, they should be changed regularly. Strings that have lost their integrity (worn where pressed against the fret) or have become oxidised, rusty and dirty will not return to pitch properly. To check if your strings need changing, run a finger underneath the string and feel for dirt, rust or flat spots. If you find any of these, you should change your strings.

Fender offers a variety of bass strings—smooth, vintage-sounding pure-nickel Original Bass 7150s; Super Bass 7250s; bright, snappy Stainless Steel 7350s and others. They are available in long, medium and short scales; taper-wound; and top-loading or string-through-body types

Because of the amount of tension on the neck, it's advisable to replace and tune each new string before removing the next string. 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.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Liam Wald]

I always give new strings a couple of stretches right after I put them on and do the initial tuning. I just pull on them lightly throughout the length of the strings.

This is exactly what you DON'T want to do
How to Play Bass Guitar: Beginner Lessons : Stretching Bass Strings Before Tuning - YouTube

I just watched the video. That was pretty funny.
The kid is an idiot, but then I probably wasn't much smarter at that age. But then again I never played yoyo with my bass.
Is it a good idea to take advice from a 16 year old who has been playing bass "for a little while"?

 

[Jay2U]

I always give new strings the full treatment: Inspection and thorough cleaning with alcohol, before installing them. The cleaning removes a lot of grey/black greasy substance. Then they are cut to length, in order to only wind two turns around the pegs. Less windings = less length to settle. Before full tension is applied, the windings are pushed down the pegs. Each string is then tuned to slightly above its nominal pitch (so E becomes E-sharp) and immediately released to the normal pitch. After some playing I retune it, if required. The next day tuning, trussrod and action are checked. It's worthwile, as it gives me a rock stable bass.

 

[Mugre]

Stretching is just a way to hurry up a little a process that happens anyway over hours or days. I use to flip people out by standing on my drums to seat and stretch the heads before the initial tuning. I actually used to bounce lightly up and down. Never broke one.

Mugre

 

[mellowinman]

When I re-string my guitar, I tune it 1/2 step above pitch, and leave it overnight.

I have never had to do this with a bass.

 

[skychief]

As to that video posted, I'm beginning to think that "Expert Village" is some kind of hoax - I haven't seen one of their videos on any subject that wasn't ridiculous!

Agreed. Ive spent many fun-filled hours ROTFL watching these clips.

Hilarious.

 

[soulman969]

This is how I stretch my strings:

STRINGS

New strings can breathe new life into your bass. Much of the thump and pop you expect from your bass starts right there. For strings to stay in tune, they should be changed regularly. Strings that have lost their integrity (worn where pressed against the fret) or have become oxidised, rusty and dirty will not return to pitch properly. To check if your strings need changing, run a finger underneath the string and feel for dirt, rust or flat spots. If you find any of these, you should change your strings.

Fender offers a variety of bass strings—smooth, vintage-sounding pure-nickel Original Bass 7150s; Super Bass 7250s; bright, snappy Stainless Steel 7350s and others. They are available in long, medium and short scales; taper-wound; and top-loading or string-through-body types

Because of the amount of tension on the neck, it's advisable to replace and tune each new string before removing the next string. 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.

Invalid Link Removed

That would seem to fall in line with what most techs would advise. Streeeeettttttttcccchhhhhhiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggg out a string in the method shown in that vid is just plain riduculous. I hope it is a joke.

 

[mongo2]

I tune, stretch the strings, tune again (they're usually at least a whole step flat after stretching), set the witnesspoints, tune again (they're up to a half step flat or maybe more after setting the points).

If I don't stretch new strings they go out of tune very easily compared to when I do stretch them.