Stretching guitar strings using finger and thumb can be a very fiddly pain in the behind. String Stretcha makes the process a lot less random and a whole lot easier. Made from a crush-resistant epoxy material, the ergonomically-shaped tool features a grooved hook and heel which grip the string between them and allow the player/tech to give the strings a proper and consistent stretch in about five minutes.
String Stretcha was designed and developed as a result of studio discussions about the frustration and time wasted waiting for strings to settle down and stay in tune, and is the combined effort of veteran Rock Producer/Engineer Duane Baron, Canadian singer/songwriter Jamie Van Scott and their machinist friend Bud McNair. Several prototypes were tested before the final design was road-tested on tour and in the studio.
The device has been designed to feel comfortable in the hand and uses a pivot action similar to the familiar finger/thumb method but should be quicker, easier and result in a more consistent stretch. A string is fed through the hook and heel, and then a little weight added to the back while sliding Stretcha up towards the nut, parallel to the other strings. It's then moved back down towards the bridge and the process repeated on the other strings. The guitar is then tuned and the stretching repeated once more, which should result in the strings staying in tune.
String Stretcha is available now direct from the company or via national and international retailers, at a cost of US$14.50.