Stretch or no?

[J Posega]

As I put each string on, I tune them a little sharp. As neck relief comes back into the neck as tension is put back on by the strings, they tend to settle a bit flat. I then set my witness points, pushing down to create a bend where the string crosses the bridge saddle, and pressing down on the string just behind the nut. From there, I tune and intonate and by the time that process is done tuning is pretty stable. No stretching.

 

[mdogs]

DR user for at least 30 years and I have never stretched a string and FWIW, have never had any negative consequences for not stretching. I seriously doubt this has anything to do with their use of round core wire as I seem to remember they don’t recommend it for their hex core string either. Having said this, I do still make a 90 degree bend in the strings about 1/4”before the spot where I cut them.

 

[timmus]

This guy seems to know what he's talking about.

Me thinks he's stoned dude...

 

[lark_z]

I've done it for decades, gently. But a lot of that was guitar, where the strings need changing more than once a decade. I always thought all I was doing was snugging up the windings on the pegs.

 

[Tom Bomb]

It's a bit of a stretch but I'm with DR.​

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I do stretch the strings when I 1st put them on and it helps, BUT:

A) you want to pull them with just a little more force than you use when you actually play,

and

B) you want to hold the strings touching the frets at the last fret with your fretting hand so that you do not put stress onto the neck.

 

[crucislancer]

I used to stretch my strings but haven't in many years. However, while I am winding the string, I will hold it just behind the tuning peg and pull back a bit to get the windings tight until there's enough tension on the string. After that, tune up and set witness points.

 

[Phormlyss]

I've stretched strings (not DRs) but it never seemed to make a meaningful difference, never broke anything. I've never bothered with setting witness points either. Letting the strings settle through normal play hasn't produced any ill effects that my ear or tuner are picking up on so I tend to gravitate towards just doing that.

 

[dreamadream99]

Long time stretcher here. I believe the danger in stretching strings, is the tendency to pull harder, in order to conserve time. Rather than a few hard tugs, try many soft tugs. Many = about 100 per string, and soft means only the torque required to lift the neck.

 

[GreyBeard]

I apologize in advance if this is a topic that’s already been beaten to death.

I’ve always stretched new strings when I install them. Recently I saw a video, from DR I think, that said to never stretch your new strings, and that only poor quality strings need stretching to keep their pitch. They seemed to feel strongly enough about it to repeat the statement several times. So, of course, I’m now conflicted and seeking the wisdom for those who know. You folks. thanks!

It sounds like BS to me

 

[bmusic]

I stretch.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I know the is sort of different type of string stretching but I broke a G strings when I was tuning it up to pitch using a muted tuner. I didn't realize I was beyond the proper pitch and kept going to the next octave until... SNAP! Lesson learned.

LOL Put on some fresh strings and tune them up, with no stretching, ....and then play some slap and see how fast they go out of tune.

I bought the Louis Johnson tutorial video tape in 1986. I still have it and a VCR. Now I'm inspired to pull take it out of the closet and watch it.

 

[lermgalieu]

I tie them to the bumper of my car on one end and to a tree on the other end and drive about 15 feet. Is that bad?

 

[Honkey tonk]

A guess...

If they said stretch-em , some would break they would be sorta responsible


no thanks ...

 

[6-3-2]

I think it's one of many outdated "tips" about set-ups. I haven't heard any seasoned tech, including on Talkbass, say that it's necessary.

 

[bikeplate]

I did when I was younger but never do now

 

[Watchootognbout]

Never stretched.

 

[micguy]

I only stretch strings that I want to play on a gig within the next month or so, which is all of them. Never caused a problem in 46 years of playing bass, and it certainly brings them into stable tuning faster. Given how often I change strings on my basses, that's somewhere in the vicinity of 500 sets of strings without an issue.

 

[Five or Six]

I don't know how some of you that don't stretch strings stay in tune during an upcoming gig? I've changed strings a day or two before a gig and always have stretched them prior. After several songs they are flat, retune. Example, Even if I don't stretch them and no gig, they will be flat within 2 songs during a practice. To each there own!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

I don’t stretch them. Like others have mentioned, after bringing them to pitch, they eventually settle. I will bend them a few times. Seems to help.