[CAUT] pre-stretching new string?

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

David Ilvedson wrote:
> Conrad, 
> Could expound on 
> 
>> -used needle nose to make similar adjustments to string on both sides of 
>> the bridge

My porpoise on doing most of these things is to have the string leave 
all the direction changing places as straight as possible.  The bridge 
pin places I do by GENTLY squeezing a couple of strings like so...
   \| |/
"borrowing" a string from the next unison if necessary. I emphasize 
"gently". Naturally, you don't want to loosen bridge pins...


>> -tucked German tie tail under other strings between hitchpin and 
>> aliquot, after being sure that I'd made the coil in the right direction 
>> to force the tail flat against the plate. (the other way would have had 
>> the tail climbing the strut)
>> -made tuning coil tight
>> -pushed in becket
>> -seated hitch loop
>> -pulled up to pitch
>> -spaced strings
>> -pushed down on section between hitch and aliquot to have string come 
>> off straight in both directions
>> -used needle nose to make similar adjustments to string on both sides of 
>> the bridge
>> -pushed down on counterbearing section to form that kink
>> -pulled new string up to level unison
>> -pulled back to pitch
>> -pushed string sideways as it comes off tuning pin
>> -pulled string a little sharp (nothing scientific, just what seemed right)
> 
>> Came back at 6PM and touched up what was then real close. Did not stay 
>> for Chopin.
> 
>> Went home.
> 
>> Next morning, came in and checked. Just a fuzzy unison. Touched it up. 
>> Two master classes on it yesterday.
> 
>> I just checked this morning and found a very clean unison.
> 
>> I guess I did something right... ;-}
> 
>> Or did I forget a step?
> 
>> Or have I committed a bad, bad sin?
> 
>> Conrad
>