<HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3020" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent"> <DIV>A technique I've used with some success when lowering pitch, based on the residual higher tension in the back scale, is to take a brass rod and angle it almost even with the string plane in the back scale and give the string a tap about 1/2 inch behind the bridge in the direction <STRONG>away</STRONG> from the bridge pin, freeing the string slightly from the lock at the bridge and easing the tension across the bridge. You can do almost the same thing with a string hook, but it's more work and lacks the finesse you can achieve with controlled tapping. You can hear the pitch change in the speaking length.You then need to re-settle the string at the bridge pin properly and re-tune. It saves a lot of time waiting for string creep or having to pitch lower again so aggressively.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>PR-J.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2>IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH, STOP HAVING OPINIONS!</FONT></STRONG></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BODY></HTML>