Wire stretching

[A440A@aol.com]

Jon writes: 
>Even after a single wire is replaced and the natural curves reduced and
>the  wire 'rubbed' the tension will go down in the following weeks. Not as 
much as had not
>the  aforementioned procedures been executed, they are just aspects of the 
event.

   Yes, and I think there are a lot of aspects.  If you use pliars to wiggle 
the tighest wound portion at the hitch pin loop on bass strings,even if they 
have been installed for a year, that string will usually drop a noticible 
amount.  It doesn't take much, just a little side to side rotation.  If this 
does cause movement of the strings, then ALL the bends will have moved toward 
the tuning pin and their radii will need to be relieved again.  
   I was trying to make a point that after movement of the wire has stopped, 
and all the radii have been relieved, the string stops stretching,  it will 
have reached a point of equalibrium.  The coils also contain a theoretically 
endless supply of slack, so they can contribute to the dropping of pitch as 
they gradually reach for their static point between tension and friction as 
they slowly wind themselves more tightly to the pin.  
 
>And if wire does not stretch, then why would some tuners pre-stretch wire
> for replacement?

     Gee, why do some tuners do a lot of unique things?   I tried that and 
didn't find stability any quicker than just spooling it off the roll and 
being careful with the installation.   I do put 15 cents sharpness in the 
plain wire and keep it that high as I relieve all the bends.  Then dropping 
it to pitch, if needed, leaves me with a string that will need pulling up in 
a week and that is about it.  
Regards, 
Ed Foote