To pre-stretch or not?

[wuboydonut]

Some says pre-stretching is better for tension lost, so the string bed maintains tension longer
but some says pre-stretching causes the string to lose its elasticity, hence play worst.

Whats everyones opinion on this?

[maxout]

Pre-stretch is a HASSLE ... but if you don't mind, then DO IT ALWAYS ... best to retain tension ...

[Fidget]

To some it matters, to others it matters not. Why not try a comparison and decide for yourself?

I always prestretch. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a crisp new string only have it to sag and underperform a few sessions later.

[visor]

I've learnt to just avoid strings that lose tension too easily eg. vs850, bg65, bg66um. Be careful not to over do the pre stretch, otherwise you would cause the string to irreversibly go past its elastic limit.

Instead I've switched to Zymax strings which have the best tension retention around in the market.

[maxout]

I've learnt to just avoid strings that lose tension too easily eg. vs850, bg65, bg66um. Be careful not to over do the pre stretch, otherwise you would cause the string to irreversibly go past its elastic limit.

Instead I've switched to Zymax strings which have the best tension retention around in the market.

Likewise ... I am into GOSEN esp R4x100 instead ...

[Mark A]

Some says pre-stretching is better for tension lost, so the string bed maintains tension longer
but some says pre-stretching causes the string to lose its elasticity, hence play worst.

Whats everyones opinion on this?

All strings have a "creep limit" - a tension beyond which they start to lose power. However, a hand-prestretch will never take a string anywhere near it in most cases.

Prestretching, IME, really extends the tension holding, is I always do it.

[Ouchee]

I have been doing 10% pre-stretch on my WISE tension head, so far so good.

[ant01]

What about stringing to 1 or 2 lbs higher than usual to negate the usual tension loss?