Just got back from a two day seminar about guitar upkeep and maintenance. This was put on by a local group of Lutheries here in San Antonio.

One thing they taught us was the old way of stretching new guitar strings was a really bad idea.

I was taught that you pull up on the string. This they say is really bad for the bridge. What they suggest is to gently push down on the string that is above the sound hole but no more than half an inch max.

They suggest you do this with a gentle touch.

As I go through my notes I will post other things they taught. It may be a while since I cannot read my own writing!