String Stretchin' with EBMM Axis

[Daddy-o]

What would be a good technique for getting your strings properly stretched out before locking down the nut on the EBMM Axis?

With my non-axis (floating floyd rose) I would put on a new set of strings and go through a process of stretching. I would leave the nut unlocked, and over a period of several days tune-and-stretch-and-tune-and-stretch. Naturally, I could stretch the sh*t out of them because I could raise the bar.

With my Axis, I can't really force a stretch except to maybe tune above A440 and then let the strings settle in. I'm thinking that's probably not good for the neck/truss rod.

Any thoughts besides, tune-lock-unlock-tune-lock-unlock-tune-lock.

 

[SteveB]

Daddy-O,

A few ideas:

1) Dive the whammy down as far as it will go and let it return rather quickly. Those strings will stretch.

2) This is the main way I stretch new strings. I bend a note, trying to bend 2 whole steps in pitch, on every string at every fret. Nothing stretches the strings better or more evenly, IMHO. Do it once, then re-tune and do it again.

 

[tommyindelaware]

What would be a good technique for getting your strings properly stretched out before locking down the nut on the EBMM Axis?

With my non-axis (floating floyd rose) I would put on a new set of strings and go through a process of stretching. I would leave the nut unlocked, and over a period of several days tune-and-stretch-and-tune-and-stretch. Naturally, I could stretch the sh*t out of them because I could raise the bar.

With my Axis, I can't really force a stretch except to maybe tune above A440 and then let the strings settle in. I'm thinking that's probably not good for the neck/truss rod.

Any thoughts besides, tune-lock-unlock-tune-lock-unlock-tune-lock.

your not gonna hurt your truss rod or neck at ALL .......
i stretch my new strings alot when i put them on. & some before each gig. i change strings once a month weather they need it or not ..even though i gig alot. lava hand soap before each set gets me ALOT of extra miles. i use morse hardtails so i don't break strings much.
i use three fingers of my right hand so i dont put as much of a bend in the string as i would if i used one finger. a kink in your string will reek havick on your intonation.
i pull about 3/4 the power it would take to break the string. after 40 years......i know when to stop. ( usually)


i only pull up in the middle...between the 10th & 14th fret.

 

[nobozos]

My method:

I re-string the guitar and tune all the strings to 440. Then, I stretch each string individually and re-tune to 440. I will try to explian my method the best I can as follows:

At about the 18th fret, place your index finger on the underside of the string. At about the 15th fret, place your thumb on the top of the string. Push your thumb down and pull your index finger up at the same time. I usually rock my had back and forth about 4 or 5 times like this to stretch the string. After I do this, the strings are usually all pretty flat, so I re-tune to 440 and repeat the process one more time. That usually does the trick. I tune and lock down my nut. I would recommend playing in the strings for about a half hour after that, and re-check the tuning.

 

[Daddy-o]

Thanks for all the advice!

All of your techniques make good sense. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to just use my fingers for some big bends.