Boiling Strings

CityofBlindingLights · #1 10-02-2008, 08:38 PM

All right, here's the skivvy:

I have a set of bass strings that sound AMAZING, but they're getting a bit old, and grime's starting to build up on them. Would boiling be a good option not to renew the fresh string sound, but to get rid of all that dirt and grime? I don't want to use denatured alcohol, mainly because I don't want to deal with alcohol, I've dealt enough with chemicals in AP Chemistry. And b/c I have no time to pick up PVC piping or denatured alcohol. Again, I ONLY want to clean them, for that sole purpose, to hold me over for maybe a week or two until I have time to snatch a new set.

I'm thinking I should boil them for maybe 5-10 minutes, then rinse them under cool water after boiling (to get the strings to contract), dry them for about half an hour, and slap them back on?

GuitarBizarre · #2 10-02-2008, 10:05 PM

Can it be done? Yes.

Should it be done? In my opinion, probably not. If the sound of the strings is fine where it is, then boiling them will only be a cosmetic thing. All boiling will do is make them shiny and more brittle. Whats worth more to you? A nice looking set of strings that break faster, or a normal looking set that sound good and will last longer?

LonePhantom · #3 10-02-2008, 10:16 PM

I've known a few bass players who have had a set of strings last years just from boiling them every now and then.

Give it a go, you don't really have anything to lose.

CosmicDebris · #4 10-02-2008, 10:28 PM

Don't forget to take them off before you boil them.

CityofBlindingLights · #5 10-02-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre

Can it be done? Yes.

Should it be done? In my opinion, probably not. If the sound of the strings is fine where it is, then boiling them will only be a cosmetic thing. All boiling will do is make them shiny and more brittle. Whats worth more to you? A nice looking set of strings that break faster, or a normal looking set that sound good and will last longer?

I don't care about increasing longevity or getting zing in my tone. I'm not big on aesthetics, but what I do care about is the fact that there's grime building up on my strings. That I'd like to get rid of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmic Debris

Don't forget to take them off before you boil them.

Thanks for reminding me (edit: I typed a smiley face here, it doesn't seem to be working...)

**Ayrton** · #6 10-03-2008, 12:51 AM

I just wipe them down with regular alcohol.

Rotti · #7 10-03-2008, 02:02 AM

The bass player in my band boils his strings every once in a while. He says it makes a big difference.

**jemaholic** · #8 10-03-2008, 07:40 AM

Eddie Van Halen was the first to boil strings I ever heard of back in the 70's. He boiled new sets prior to stringing them up and said that they stretched and played better that way.

As far a boiling for cleaning - forget it - go out and buy a new set for 15 bucks and be done with it.

Ad_Astra · #9 10-03-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CityofBlindingLights

I don't want to use denatured alcohol, mainly because I don't want to deal with alcohol, I've dealt enough with chemicals in AP Chemistry. And b/c I have no time to pick up PVC piping or denatured alcohol.

It's a sad waste of alcohol when using it to something else than getting drunk. Whether it's denatured or not

7 Dying Trees · #10 10-03-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicDebris

Don't forget to take them off before you boil them.

Best advice ever

hotwax1989 · #11 10-15-2008, 12:00 AM

Despite what Eddie Van Halen did, I always heard any moisture is bad for your strings(bass or guitar watever) thats why you should wipe down your entire fretboard after extensive playing where you sweat. Many pros do that, because not only moisture, but skin particles are constantly shedding off your skin, so that would make your strings last longer and perform better. Come to think about it, moisture is just bad for the guitar in general!

chaos731 · #12 10-15-2008, 10:42 AM

Personally, I've always found that boiling them is overkill. Now, simmering my strings, along with some carrots, potatoes, celery leaves, maybe a couple of bay leaves, and a few pounds of corned beef tends to make them sing like never before.

Jamie · #13 10-15-2008, 11:38 AM

I can confirm my bass player used to boil his strings, it just helps get the grime off. I can only presume that as hands are sweaty, the strings are pretty grime resistant anyway and the water won't harm them much.

He literally just chucked them in a pan of boiling water, let them boil for a few minutes and wiped them down firmly with a soft cloth.

Just rubbing under the strings with a soft cloth after each playing session is practically as good, but you have to do it, especially after gigs.

jb4674 · #14 10-15-2008, 11:50 AM

Just go out and buy a new set of strings and stop being so cheap.

Jimmy

Rotti · #15 10-15-2008, 02:51 PM

I can confirm that boiling bass strings does make them more lively and new sounding. I lent a old bass to a bass player friend of mine the other day. He boiled the strings and it definately has more snap now than before I lent it to him. Apparently some guys have had the same bass strings on for 20 years. They just boil them once in a while.