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Author
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Topic: Stretching out a new string
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Richard Tipple
Member From: Ohio, USA
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posted 27 October 2005 07:46 PM
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When I break a string on a gig ,after I put a new one on, I give it a couple of good vertical hand pulls & tune to pitch. Usually this works with a couple of tweaks later.Some say this stretching with the hand takes some of the tone or should I say twang ,out of the new string & one should only stretch a new string with some pedal pumps. What do you say ? ------------------
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Larry Strawn
Member From: Golden Valley, Arizona, USA
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posted 27 October 2005 09:14 PM
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Richard,,,Don't know if it's right or wrong,, but when I break a string during a gig I stretch that puppy any way I can to get it to hold pitch so I can get back in there!! LOL.. I usually don't break to many strings during gigs though, I try to get my 3rd [.011] changed after about the second night, no later than the 3rd night, that's the only one I have problems with. Larry |
Ernest Cawby
Member From: Lake City, Florida, USA
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posted 28 October 2005 05:47 AM
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I have been playing Leon's LDG, the strings are Jags, after 4 months the 3rd and 5th finally broke. When i change about every 3 weeks never a broke string. and they sound alive and good. Nothing like a new string.ernie |
Roger Rettig
Member From: NAPLES, FL
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posted 28 October 2005 06:08 AM
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I wouldn't have thought there was much difference between tugging at a string or pedalling it; both activities will stretch it a little and take the initial slack out of the windings on the tuning-head. Pedalling it might, however, be kinder to the pin on the changer.I'm careful to change my 5th and 3rd every three shows - changing the 3rd speaks for itself, 'though I can happily play the E9 neck without it, but life without the 5th string is pretty unbearable! I don't take a chance. I've always found that about three or four pumps of my 'A' pedal settles a newly-fitted .018" right in, and it's ready to play. I've never, incidentally, broken a string on C6th..... RR |
Roger Crawford
Member From: Locust Grove, GA USA
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posted 28 October 2005 07:03 AM
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SIT actually recommends the tug to get the slack out. |
Roger Francis
Member From: Indiana, USA
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posted 28 October 2005 08:29 AM
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I think you have to do whatever it takes to get you through the night, but when changing the whole set i let mine set over night, tuned a little hi and then retune the next day and pic around on it to get the rest of the stretch out them. I think it was Buddy E. who said he didn't like to pull on his strings to get the stretch out of them cause it took some of the tone out of the string. If it wasn't you Buddy I apologize in advance.
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Gary Shepherd
Member From: Fox, Oklahoma, USA
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posted 28 October 2005 01:07 PM
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When I change a string on ANY instrument, I tune it up to pitch or maybe a step higher. Then I grab the string between my thumb and 1st finger and pull it away from the fretboard about and inch or 2. I pull it back and forth for a few seconds until I have stretched it back below its normal pitch. I then retune to corret pitch and it usually holds. Some strings need to be stretched more than others. Especially the smaller ones.------------------
Gary Shepherd Carter D-10 www.16tracks.com
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Mike Wheeler
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 29 October 2005 09:10 AM
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Whenever I instal a new string, I do the old lock-twist at the peghead, then while pulling firmly on the loose string, I wind it onto the peghead. Bring it slowly up to pitch, pulling lightly on it to take out the peghead slack, and I'm done. It usually stays in tune for a couple minutes, but gradually goes a little flat, so a tweak is in order. Usually only a couple subsequent tweaks is all that's needed and it's locked in.Be careful with wound strings. If you pull them too much while installing them the windings can slip on the core wire. Then they'll sound dead or worse, won't vibrate correctly causing incorrect harmonic/intonation problems. Just a gentle, but firm pull does the trick. Just my personal method. YMMV |
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