I disagree. Turning the machine head does not discernably lengthen the string (maybe a very little), it mainly increases the tension. If the string only stretched, the pitch would not change.
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My luthier disagrees with stretching strings...
- Thread starter NickInMesa
- Start date
Never heard of stretching bass strings, although maybe that is what I do..... When I get new strings I put them on, tune them up, then wail away on them, especially the E string 
Then I tune them again (if needed) and am good to go.
But I use a P bass with flats... the tuning is extremely stable.
Then I tune them again (if needed) and am good to go.But I use a P bass with flats... the tuning is extremely stable.
I string
then I seat the strings over the saddles (press down so the break angle is acute)
.then I tune up
I dont have any issues with new strings going flat I never understood the idea of stretching strings
I dont have any issues with new strings going flat I never understood the idea of stretching strings
- Jun 25, 2007
- 4,531
- 135
- 63
- Disclosures
- Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system (original test-pilot)
I yank the livin' S##t out of them..
I like it violent that way..
Oh...they stay in tune after...
I like it violent that way..
Oh...they stay in tune after...
Well, when I start winding my strings, I always go slow, no matter what. I have broken an E (!!!) string once just by winding it. I swear it was not even near E, as soon as it built tension... it broke. And GC refused to take the string back (since then I am a happy client of juststrings.com).
The way I stretch is gentle. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I tune the strings. Then 2 fingers under, I pull the strings from the 12th about a third of an inch from the fretboard, then slide my fingers up to the 5th, then again from 12th to 16th or 17th.
They I tune up, and redo the same operation. I usually expect the strings to settle after that and go slowly flat.
I used to do the same thing as what Sheehan apparently recommends, popping the string pretty hard, but I don't anymore. I don't slap or pop, not my style. My strings last quite a while actually and I play on average 90 minutes every day.
I also use flat wounds, these ones:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The way I stretch is gentle. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I tune the strings. Then 2 fingers under, I pull the strings from the 12th about a third of an inch from the fretboard, then slide my fingers up to the 5th, then again from 12th to 16th or 17th.
They I tune up, and redo the same operation. I usually expect the strings to settle after that and go slowly flat.
I used to do the same thing as what Sheehan apparently recommends, popping the string pretty hard, but I don't anymore. I don't slap or pop, not my style. My strings last quite a while actually and I play on average 90 minutes every day.
I also use flat wounds, these ones:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Depends on your definition of stretching. The fool in the video is just stupid.
All I do is keep the strings under a small amount of tension while winding them on to the tuning pegs then tuning up to pitch. They usually only need to be tuned then a couple of times again before they will hold their tuning.
All I do is keep the strings under a small amount of tension while winding them on to the tuning pegs then tuning up to pitch. They usually only need to be tuned then a couple of times again before they will hold their tuning.
By casual observation, I would estimate the amount of stretch at around 1/2 inch, for a D string. If the string were rigid, the tuning machine couldn't turn.
I tend to stretch them a little when I put them on and this reduces the amount of time it takes them to settle in. Not terribly important when goofing around the house, but between sets at a gig it could be important (I don't remember ever breaking a string at a gig).
Stretching string is completely unnecessary unless a string is replaced mid-gig. Even then, a light stretch is all that is needed.
I certainly would never call a tech to complain that he didn't stretch my strings.
I certainly would never call a tech to complain that he didn't stretch my strings.
Ya, that's a little odd, calling to complain about not stretching the strings. But hey...
Anyway, I stretch and I'm proud of it. Who cares? It's only strings. Not like I ever broke one because of stretching. Just don't overdo it.
Anyway, I stretch and I'm proud of it. Who cares? It's only strings. Not like I ever broke one because of stretching. Just don't overdo it.
- Jan 23, 2008
- 960
- 7
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- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
That is stupid. I'll give my new strings a couple of really good pops, but nothing like that.
- Jan 23, 2008
- 960
- 7
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
But... He's an expert.
And he has been playing for "a while"....
That was painful, I couldn't watch the entire video. He was holding the bass up just with the string. A while obviously isn't long enough to have gotten a bad string.
I'm in the "don't stretch any more" camp -- bass and guitar. I don't do any seating or bending at the bridge or nut either.
LOL, aren't you the rebel.
I'm a loner, Mongo. A rebel. There's a lotta things about me you don't know anything about. Things you wouldn't understand. Things you couldn't understand. Things you shouldn't understand.
