How do I string a (bass) guitar?

Question

Initally how much extra string do I put through the part I don't know the name of attached to the tuning peg. How much "slack" should there be on the string at this point. Anything you can tell me would be great.

Answer 1

Basically new bass strings come with a small part of threaded area at the head part of the string (the part which goes into the tuning nuts at the bass head). That area should have passed completely through the hole in the tuning peg, and from there, wind up the rest of the string.

Answer 2

If you're using pre-cut strings then feed the whole lot through the tuning peg hole. Leave enough slack to comfortably get all your fingers on one hand between the string and the fretboard. Wind the excess string around the tuning peg once by hand, hold it in place and start winding until the string is standard tension. Give it a light stretch by hand, then tune.

Answer 3

Enough string so you can wrap around the tuning key a couple of times. 3" off the neck for slack.