How many stretch their strings?

[The Lemon]

No, I tune it once, play a while and tune again. Works fine for me.

 

[rtslinger]

I too used to but found no difference if I did or I didn't so I longer do.

 

[Solarmist]

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

I get a laugh out of that everytime

 

[dannoman]

I absolutely stretch them out.

Tune each string above desired pitch and stretch till its in desired pitch... never have a tuning issue and it takes all of 30 seconds per string. . do i stretch it like the guy in the clip posted? no... i have my way of doing it and have had no tuning issues or have had to re-tune after playing in to many years to count...

 

[BritPicker]

What the guy does in the vid is way too severe.

I think that rather than "stretching" them one should be thinking in terms of "getting the slack out of the system", that is that the strings are tight around the tuners, so that they don't loosen off as you play.

What I do is:
(1) lube the nut, check for sharp edges
(2) put strings on.
(3) tune to pitch with tuner
(4) stretch string until i feel the increase in resistance on each
(5) retune (pitch will have dropped)
repeat 4, 5 until pitch is stable.

at no point am I violent with it, or tune strings to above their desired pitch.

Then I check the intonation if I feel the urge.

 

[James Judson]

No stretching required.

1. I take off one string. Replace with new and tune.

2. Repeat,

3. then repeat,

4.then repeat.

5. I then retune the whole bass

6. Play instrument for 1 or 2 songs.

7. Retune (maybe one string)

I'm good to go.

I have done this between sets. I have done this at rehearsal (break). I would do it right before a gig (minutes).

YMMV

 

[SBassman]

... at no point am I violent with it ...