How To Stretch Guitar Strings - Billy Penn 300guitars.com

[Nick80R]

I do it the wrong way, I will do it you're way from now on :)

[rampage222555]

any less painful methods, like some sort of tool I can use? I use this method and it works, but if I stretch all strings decently in one sitting, my fingers end up feeling battered

[MrEvilQuaker]

Thank you so much!!!

[suki29168]

thanks man :) just afraid to like do it to much XD

[glassbottleblues]

I tried this and had no problems at all, I actually think it made my guitar stay in tune quicker than my previous method of chromatically fingering the neck and pulling up at neck pup end. Thanks nice tip and great videos all around, your a great player Billy

[Mick80200]

could it work for new bass strings

for High E 105?? 

[300guitars]

@Mick80200 Yes, absolutely. I do this all the time on all types of strings. -Billy

[harrellbugg]

Thanks - I did this on my Taylor T3B and it helps a lot. I have 4 Taylor guitars and this is the only one that will not stay in tune. I used your method and some graphite on the nut and now the problem is fixed. Thanks again.

[illustrisimus]

Hi!! Hey man, and whats come on whit the guitars whit Floyd Rose? Is this method good for them? Thanx

[300guitars]

@illustrisimus You can use this method on guitars with the Floyd Rose system. Just be careful with the plain strings, especially the high E string. -Billy

[joey297102]

Thanks for the help man I was wondering wat was a good way to strech the strings

[eastsidesteve]

No way am I doing this again. I snapped my high E string.

[300guitars]

@eastsidesteve You are using too much tension. The plain strings do not need a lot of tension like the wound strings. -Billy

[D0oD0oBrain]

IS it a bad idea to do this with super light gauge strings?.

[valdivia562]

im never doing this shit again i snapped like 2 strings the same time and they still get untuned

[MrJamieLetourneau]

the finger thumb method is the way berklee teaches! it works best because it leaves the whole string with a BALANCE stretch - not just sections of the string like many guys do. Of course this is just the best way to do it fast with no more string settling issues in my opinion. but it hurts your fingers. new tool out that i love it STRETCHA google string stretcha and get one. it is amaziing for floyd rose set ups too. every tech should have one

[acefrehley813]

i have a squier strat and when i do that it pulls the whammy bar down loosening the strings is that ok or should i try to make it not move?

[abbstaaarr]

I really worried about doing this and damaging the strings :s

[Stringprodigy]

Another thing to try out is to hold down the string on the first, then stretch from the middle, retune, hold down the second fret, rinse, repeat (You don't have to do this higher frets).  This is a trick Guthrie Govan learned from a fellow player, Phil Hilbourne, I believe. He says it provides for a more even string tension, but I have yet to try it out for myself.

[dburn42]

why dont you just pull up on each open string, and then fret each one while pulling up. i do mean fret all frets. it takes a while. but you never even have to go back and tune it in the middle. once you finish stretching, just tune that thing up and go

[naisalan]

what should I do first, adjust the intonation or stretch the strings?

[IronMaiden6226]

@naisalan strings first, intonation can be done later

[RockinSockinRobot21]

thanks man.. i wanna try your method but i watched your vid after i put on my strings lol.

[RockinSockinRobot21]

i tried stretching my strings by pulling upward and the e broke... now i just sort of bend each string to stretch it. my Q is do this can be effective aswell?

[300guitars]

@RockinSockinRobot21 If the method works for you and the guitar stays in tune then stick with it. I believe that the strings need more tension while stretching as in the method I use. My way works great for me. Try it if you like but as I said if your way works stick with it..!!! -Billy

[limescout]

Hi! I use a similar method, but I stretch the strings at multiple points along the string (near the bridge, in the middle, near the nut). I believe this stretches the strings more uniformly across the length of the string, and gets it set in tune faster.

[300guitars]

@limescout That is interesting...I will apply that the next time I change strings...!!! Thanks for the tip..!!! -Billy

[warmasteryojo]

Would this method also work for a ukulele?

[insidedrivers]

@warmasteryojo I think so....you obviously have to be more gentle with the stretching tension of course. The same method should work fine however... -Billy

[tecnolover2642]

Hi, great tutorial !! I'm wondering, I usually pull upward on the string like the way you first showed and I actually broke the D string just tonight!! It snapped at the point where it is clamped by the locking tuner. So, I"m wondering if your method here is just for wrapped strings only. ?? Also, is pulling upward ok or is sideways better. I got my strings stretched but maybe it took longer than your way but i'm concerned about the tension on locking tuning pegs. 

[300guitars]

@tecnolover2642 I have a Gretsch with locking tuners and I use this same method. I never had a problem with breaking strings. You may be locking them too tight which is clamping down too hard on the string. Take your time and try to do it like I show in the video. Let me know how it goes and if you have more questions..!! -Billy

[mturquie]

Ohhhh... I'll try to do this with the Jimmy Wess strings... cause they are a piece of shit!!! I always use Zakk Wylde's Dunlop strings (that are AMAZING btw), but sometimes the first string breaks and the only brand that I can buy just one string is Jimmy Wess and I reeeeeaaaaly hate them... -.- I'll try this and see if this works or confirm that Jimmy Wess strings are like elephant shit

[300guitars]

@mturquie Ha..!! Please let me know how it goes. I use the DR strings and have had great luck with them.. -Billy

[mturquie]

@300guitars Well, Dunlop strrings are AWESOME!!! they really are!!! If you haven't tried them, you should do!! I loved them since the very first time I played them! Specially Zakk Wylde signature strings!! They work perfectly with dropped tunnings! you can even play in B tunning and their sound will be nice and bright. Also sth pretty cool about them is that you dont even need to stretch them... anyways I'll check out those strings and stretch them like you do! Thanks!

[HARDCORE22REVOLUTION]

nice guitar man

totally custom :)

[ccwhiskey]

you have some cool ideas even for a experienced player thanks and keep makin these helpful videos

[300guitars]

Thank you very much! Please let me know if there is something that I have not covered and I'd be happy to cover it for you!!!! -Billy

[pspcrazed]

alright, so right now i am in love with my ernie ball strings they put a great tone, but only one problem. i keep getting a buzz from the low E string, when i pluck it and i just had my guitar set up at guitar center what i mean by set up is the fixed my Bridge polished it and all that jazz. any way the guitar i have is a Jackson JS20 so if you have any advice on what i should do i would appreciate it a lot!

[300guitars]

Thanks for the question! If you only have a buzz from the low E string I would look at 1- maybe it's a bad string...happened to me before. 2- maybe the saddle is too low. 3- maybe the neck is a little too straight. Check these things out and get back. I will try to help you! -Billy

[dewabalau88]

does the tension of the string has something to do with saddle bridge??im using strato..sometimes when i tuning the string to standard tune,the strings is quite hard..any advise??sorry my english not very good..i hope you will reply my comment.. :)

[300guitars]

Thanks for the question! If I understand you correctly it sounds like you should use a lighter gauge set of strings. What gauge are you using now on your Stratocaster? -Billy

[dewabalau88]

im usually used fender string 9mm..right now im using ernie ball 9mm..

[300guitars]

Does the bridge pull up from the body?

[dewabalau88]

yes it does..

[smarque5]

I love the pickguard from this strat. Where i buy one for me?

[300guitars]

That was a friends guitar and he does not remember where he got the guard. You can try Allparts, WD Music, Pickguardian or maybe Chandler. Let me know if this helps!! -Billy

[TheSeeker133]

Im having problems with m,y guitar that has a tremolo system, would this method work with a guitar with the tremolo, floating bridge?

[300guitars]

Hi and thanks for watching!!! Yes, this method will work but of course like you mention the bridge is floating so you may have to stretch a little more aggressively. If there is a way you could stabilize the bridge while you are stretching the strings it would be more effective. Use the method and do the motion faster like a fast tugging motion. Please let me know if you have more questions. I am happy to answer them!! -Billy

[Smoothtlknwhtboi]

awesome and insightful info, thanks so much!

[300guitars]

Cool! Glad it helped. Please feel free to contact me and ask anything you like! Thanks again for watching! -Billy

[DARU37]

I wish I knew this before ...I had played gigs with new strings and had tuning problems - thx 4 posting

[mustanglp50]

does the same thing work on acoustic guitars (dumb question i know but im not good with them)

[300guitars]

Works great on acoustic guitars as well!!!!!

[misssjlovesrichie]

can't you break the strings like that?

that is a good way by the way, and can you do it also on acoustic or classical guitars?

[300guitars]

If you use too much tension it is possible to break a string like the high E string. I have never broken one in all the years I've been using this method however. Just use a light to medium tension. You may have to go a round a few more times. This will work very well with an acoustic guitar and with a classical guitar but the classical guitars need more "love" to get them in tune because of the nylon strings. Thanks for the comment!