How to stretch the strings on your guitar to help it stay in tune, and why!

Stretching your strings is really important for correct tuning stability. Let me explain how it works, why you want it, and how to do it. 

Okay, what is it?

Stretching your strings is the act of pulling on your strings to even out any imbalances of tension on new strings so that once tuned to pitch, it stays in pitch for longer and provides much better tuning stability. 

When you install new strings, you have to stretch them.

If you don't get your new strings stabilised by stretching them, they will constantly go flat for the first few hours you play. You don't want to wait this long for tuning stability, so you should definitely be stretching your strings as soon as you restring any guitar. 

Well, how does it work?

Well, if you look at some forums and do some research, you might find some people claiming that strings don't stretch, but they do settle better. “Settling” is pulling any gaps out of the string, like if your new strings have a gap at the machine heads. If you're having issues with this you should check out our guide on how to change your strings. 

Whether the strings really stretch or not is a hotly debated topic; but no matter what, it is important to get any issues worked out, which you can only do by giving them a good stretch.

So how do I stretch the strings?

1. Install your new strings correctly, as per our guide above, including tuning to pitch.
2. If you have an electric with a locking nut don't clamp it down yet.
3. Put the guitar in a playing stance. Put your strap on and keep the guitar pointed away from you. Although rare, strings can snap, so you must stretch the string with the strings facing away from you. If you want to ensure safety, wear eye protection.
4. Choose a string to start. I recommend the Low E string on a standard six-string.
5. With your playing hand, press the string into the nut at the headstock side of the neck.
6. With your strumming hand, curl your pointer finger around the string, and lightly pull it up.
7. Pull up all along the neck, lightly grabbing it to work the pressure through the string.
8. Tune the string back up to pitch.
9. Repeat steps 3 -8 for the remaining strings.

And that's it! if you follow those tips your strings will hold tune much longer and give you a better experience overall

Check out our videos to help you keep your guitar in tune!

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