How do you stretch strings?

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

I bring all of my strings up to pitch, and then one by one, stretch the entire length of the strings. Check tuning, and repeat until they stay in tune. It usually only takes a couple of good tugs. And yes, away form the fretboard. No, you won't hurt anything. Just hold the string with your other hand, so it doesn't pop out of the nut. A capo will work, too.

You can manhandle the strings when you pull on them, they can take it. Give them a good yank. Then, I lube her up, and I'm good to go.

As for stretching the strings being too stressful on the neck? You have got to be kidding. No offense to anyone, but that's one of the dumbest things I've read on here. Do you have any idea how much pressure is being put on a neck, just by being tuned to pitch? Not to mention the fact that just by playing, you tend to do a lot of big bends, which is essentially the same damn thing.

If you know how to properly wind the strings at the tuners, stretch the strings well enough, and have a properly cut nut, you should be good to go.

 

[Grandturk]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Lot's of good ideas here. But the most important - on double locking setups like Floyds - I don't.

 

[JeffB]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

I read somewhere where some string guru really suggest minimal stretching (by hand) will improve the life of your strings. The recco was to put them on (one at a time) tune to pitch, and then re-tune without playing and set the guitar on stand overnight. Then the next day tune up and play in. They "naturally" settle this way.

I used to yank the crap out of strings when I first put them on (and did for many many years), but because I seem to kill strings (tonally) faster than anyone I know, I stopped doing that-and basically just tune up initially and play them in. It HAS made a difference in string life by not stretching the crap out of them- it's not something miraculous, but they do stay fresher feeling and sounding for longer, and stay in tune just as well as they did before after an hour or three of play time.

 

[FretFire]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

I use locking tuners, so there's no windings around the tuning machine and thus no need to "stretch" the strings. Personally I think the notion that we're actually "stretching" a strand of metal by tugging on it is a little ridiculous.

 

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

I use locking tuners, so there's no windings around the tuning machine and thus no need to "stretch" the strings. Personally I think the notion that we're actually "stretching" a strand of metal by tugging on it is a little ridiculous.

Stretching has little, to nothing, to do with your peghead windings. Try stringing up a guitar with a double locking trem, and see how well it stays in tune without stretching the strings. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[Bludave]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Once I lock the string in place then I hold the string down at the first fret and pull it up. I hold it for about 15 to 20 seconds, sliding mu hand from the bottom of the neck to the top. I do this every time. Then I retune it to pitch & do it again. Depending on how light or heavy the strings are.... usually after doing this twice, the guitar will stay in tune.

 

[Grandturk]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Stretching has little, to nothing, to do with your peghead windings. Try stringing up a guitar with a double locking trem, and see how well it stays in tune without stretching the strings. Ain't gonna happen.

This is a falsehood. Stretching strings is actually tightening the the windings around the peghead and the ball end of the string. With a double locking setup, you do not need to "stretch" your strings at all.

If you really stretch the string, you're actually deforming it.

I've been playing Floyds for 20 years and have not "stretched" my strings for at least the last 5 - once I saw the light, as it were. String changes are fast and easy - tune up and lock 'em down and you're done.

If you experience any tuning issues after that - it's not the strings.

 

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

This is a falsehood. Stretching strings is actually tightening the the windings around the peghead and the ball end of the string. With a double locking setup, you do not need to "stretch" your strings at all.

If you really stretch the string, you're actually deforming it.

I've been playing Floyds for 20 years and have not "stretched" my strings for at least the last 5 - once I saw the light, as it were. String changes are fast and easy - tune up and lock 'em down and you're done.

If you experience any tuning issues after that - it's not the strings.

I can honestly say that this is the first time that I have ever heard anyone say that you don't need to stretch your strings with a Floyd.

I don't even own a guitar with a Floyd anymore, so I can't even go and try it now.

Well, lets just say that we have clearly had different experiences. :cool2:

 

[lex666]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

If you don't stretch the strings on a floyd type double lockign trem, the first time you go to use the bar you'll stretch the strings.

Then guess what? You're out of tune.

Stretching the strings is necesary IMO.

 

[Grandturk]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

If you don't stretch the strings on a floyd type double lockign trem, the first time you go to use the bar you'll stretch the strings.

Then guess what? You're out of tune.

Stretching the strings is necesary IMO.

Not true. Not if your trem is setup correctly and you've locked the strings at the bridge and nut.

 

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Not true. Not if your trem is setup correctly and you've locked the strings at the bridge and nut.

I don't mean to come off as argumentative, but I'm just baffled.
You're saying that you don't go out of tune, even if it's floating, and you pull up? :scratchch

 

[lex666]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Not true. Not if your trem is setup correctly and you've locked the strings at the bridge and nut.

Yeah, exactly my point. Even with a correct set up (floating) you'll stretch the string between the bridge and nut - throwing off your tuning. If it hasn't been stretched first, you'll have all kinds of slack.

 

[FretFire]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

This is a falsehood. Stretching strings is actually tightening the the windings around the peghead and the ball end of the string. With a double locking setup, you do not need to "stretch" your strings at all.

If you really stretch the string, you're actually deforming it.

This. I haven't had a guitar with a Floyd in several years, but once I got the trem set up properly I had no tuning issues after a re-string once I got the guitar tuned up and locked down. No "stretching" needed.

 

[FretFire]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

I don't mean to come off as argumentative, but I'm just baffled.
You're saying that you don't go out of tune, even if it's floating, and you pull up? :scratchch

The pitch will change when you pull up because you're increasing the tension on the strings... but it's comical to me to think that you'll actually physically stretch and permanently lengthen the string. If your trem is set up correctly, the strings should return to pitch when you let go of the bar.

EDIT: Think of it this way. Imagine holding a guitar string in your hands, one end in each hand. You start with your hands right next to each other with the string hanging down. Another person starts plucking the string as you move your hands apart. At first there's no audible noise, then eventually (in theory) you'd apply enough tension so that the vibration of the string made an audible pitch. As the tension increases, the pitch will get higher. Yes you are moving your hands farther apart but the physical length of the string itself is not changing, it's not "stretching".

/soapbox

 

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

The pitch will change when you pull up because you're increasing the tension on the strings... but it's comical to me to think that you'll actually physically stretch and lengthen the string and thus ruin the tuning. If your trem is set up correctly, the strings should return to pitch when you let go of the bar.

Oh come on. You're saying that what has been known as common knowledge for many years, is comical?

Of course the pitch will change when you pull up. :banghead: But, yes, the string WILL STRETCH, and will NOT return to pitch.

I guess that all of my guitars, and all of my friends guitars, and for that matter, every other person I've ever known had their guitars set up incorrectly. Damn, what are the odds?

 

[lex666]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

http://guitar.about.com/od/beginners/ss/change_strings_10.htm

"Initially, this new string may have trouble staying in tune. You can help correct this problem by stretching out the new string. Grab the string, and pull it approximately one inch away from the surface of the guitar. The pitch of the string will probably have dropped. Re-tune the string, then repeat the process, until the string no longer falls out of tune.
Once you've completed changing the sixth string, repeat the process for each additional string on your electric guitar. Changing strings is a process that is challenging and time consuming at first, but after you've done it a few times, becomes a simple bit of regular necessary maintenance."

here's a screen shot of Dan Erlewine's book. he also recommends stretchign the strings.

http://books.google.com/books?id=o5...&resnum=1&ved=0CAYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Think of it this way. Imagine holding a guitar string in your hands, one end in each hand. You start with your hands right next to each other with the string hanging down. Another person starts plucking the string as you move your hands apart. At first there's no audible noise, then eventually (in theory) you'd apply enough tension so that the vibration of the string made an audible pitch. As the tension increases, the pitch will get higher. Yes you are moving your hands farther apart but the physical length of the string is not changing, it's not "stretching"

/soapbox

Can you put as much stress on a string by hand, as you can by tuning to pitch?

I'm pretty sure I understand the idea that changing the length of the string changes pitch. I'm not THAT freaking stupid.

 

[FretFire]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Of course the pitch will change when you pull up. :banghead: But, yes, the string WILL STRETCH, and will NOT return to pitch.

I guess my Floyd-equipped guitar defied physics then, because I could pull up on the bar and have it fall right back in tune. Same thing happens when I see guys like Satriani and Vai pull up mid-song and then continue playing in tune.

As far as I'm concerned, if you pull up on a trem and your guitar doesn't stay in tune afterwards then something isn't set up correctly. Why would people *ever* pull up on a trem if it was guaranteed to knock your guitar out of tune?

 

[FretFire]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

Can you put as much stress on a string by hand, as you can by tuning to pitch?.

That was just an example, obviously.

 

[whatshisname]

Re: How do you stretch strings?

I guess my Floyd-equipped guitar defied physics then, because I could pull up on the bar and have it fall right back in tune. Same thing happens when I see guys like Satriani and Vai pull up mid-song and then continue playing in tune.

I've actually seen Vai's guitars get set up. Guess what? His tech stretches his strings! And guess what else? Mine also stayed perfectly in tune. But only after the strings had been properly stretched.