Boiling Strings

bezbass · #1 02-01-2012, 04:43 PM

Often get asked about my strings being a teacher and also performer. Many people these days know you can boil strings to clean and rejuvenate them but wanted to make sure those who don't know might see this post.

The key to it is To add half a lemons juice into the pan you are boiling.

Put the strings in and you can get a fair amount of
The dirt out in 20 mins to half an hour but I find that if you boil them for about 1 hr 30 or wven longer and change the water once at about an hour then the strings don't just sound good, they sound nearly new.

I've had the same strings since 2006
I have no signs of rust on my player elite strings and gig on average twice a week plus three days teaching. I do slap and give the stings some battering at times.

Conclusion for me is that boiling the strings is both safe and cost effective.

I boil mine

mmbongo · #2 02-01-2012, 06:00 PM

Is it really worth all that to save $12 on a new set of strings a couple of times a year?

Flyingfrets · #3 02-01-2012, 06:14 PM

I dunno where you're finding decent strings for $12 a set.

I'm dropping $42 - $60 (and I only play 4 string - no custom sets) on a change (Rotosound & La Bella) depending on where I buy.

Yes, I have boiled strings, but it's been a long time. Yes, it does work. If you like that particular set & don't mind investing the time, why not?

tylerwylie · #4 02-01-2012, 06:49 PM

Boiling's not nearly as effective as good ole denatured alcohol.

Duckwater · #5 02-01-2012, 06:54 PM

I prefer to use methylated spirits as well

chaosMK · #6 02-01-2012, 06:58 PM

Are you trying to make a soup?

Denatured here.

One thing that string rejeuvenation techniques don't bring back is a tiny bit of tension. I notice it on my B... just looses some part of the bounce that it had when new. I usually just denature once. I probably prefer more zing than most and would never touch flats in my life.

ksandvik · #7 02-01-2012, 07:03 PM

IMHO I don't think boiling is worth it as you need to do it maybe very frequently after a while... And especially as you get good bass string deals from Amazon prime and similar places.

mmbongo · #8 02-01-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

I dunno where you're finding decent strings for $12 a set.

https://bassstringsonline.3dcartstor...Set_p_455.html

I'd call GHS pretty darn decent. You'll get an even better price if you register as a TB user on his site.

mmbongo · #9 02-01-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

I dunno where you're finding decent strings for $12 a set.

I'm dropping $42 - $60 (and I only play 4 string - no custom sets) on a change (Rotosound & La Bella) depending on where I buy.

Yes, I have boiled strings, but it's been a long time. Yes, it does work. If you like that particular set & don't mind investing the time, why not?

I hope you're getting a few sets for those prices. That's not for a SINGLE set, surely?

You should shop around, a set of Rotosounds are $14. Even cheaper if you register as a TB user to get VIP pricing from Jason.
https://bassstringsonline.3dcartstor...eel_c_116.html

Spaldo · #10 02-01-2012, 07:21 PM

I don't boil anymore. I find it too hit-and-miss in terms of tone.

I usually buy 6 new sets (4 rounds, 2 flats) of DR's per year now and work my way through those. I prefer them dead...esp on my MM Jazz which is really bright.

Interestingly, I have 3 fretless basses which I've never changed strings on. They always seem to stay at that 'sweet spot', as i call it, which is halfway between bright and dead.

Buxtehude · #11 02-02-2012, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckwater

I prefer to use methylated spirits as well

I boil my metho. I'm a daredevil. Actually this works fantastically well but it's also fantastically dangerous. Electric heat only. No naked flame. Heat slowly to near boiling then simmer until cooled.

Simorchid · #12 02-02-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buxtehude

I boil my metho. I'm a daredevil. Actually this works fantastically well but it's also fantastically dangerous. Electric heat only. No naked flame. Heat slowly to near boiling then simmer until cooled.

To the extreme!

Rockman · #13 02-02-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buxtehude

I boil my metho. I'm a daredevil. Actually this works fantastically well but it's also fantastically dangerous. Electric heat only. No naked flame. Heat slowly to near boiling then simmer until cooled.

And in a well ventilated area I hope!

Flyingfrets · #14 02-02-2012, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I hope you're getting a few sets for those prices. That's not for a SINGLE set, surely?

You should shop around, a set of Rotosounds are $14. Even cheaper if you register as a TB user to get VIP pricing from Jason.
https://bassstringsonline.3dcartstor...eel_c_116.html

Nope. Single set. Local GC wants $39 + tax for Rotosound & the La Bellas I have to get on line. Once in awhile I find them for $46 flat rate incl. shipping.

Don't care for GHS unfortunately.

bezbass · #15 02-02-2012, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksandvik

IMHO I don't think boiling is worth it as you need to do it maybe very frequently after a while... And especially as you get good bass string deals from Amazon prime and similar places.

Ive had my strings for years and they tend to last a good month before I notice they're dying. I generally boil em every two to three months but for a good hour an a half and with a good splash of lemon.

Admittedly I'm only doing three days teaching (which doesn't require immense amounts of playing) and 4 to 8 he's a week gigging plus practice...so they don't get as much use as perhaps some of you who find they die too quickly.

On a footnote I used to use all types of string including rotosounds standards but when I changed to player elites I found that they do stay brighter for longer.

As for flatwounds on a fretless. Mine sounds as good as an electric upright . I havnt changed or boiled the flat wounds since I bought them in 2001. Just a bit of fast fret now and then to clean the neck. The thing with flatwounds is that there's no wind for the grime to hide

Darkonar · #16 02-02-2012, 05:56 AM

I'd never boil my strings again, to me it sounds cheap, newbish and for the poor, no insult intended, those are hjust the first thing that comes to my mind when i think/read/talk of boiling strings

back on topic, boiling strings is not as effective as a 12 hour bath per string in denatured alcohol, sacrifice a week of playing a certainbass/or not playing at all but you'll get a month* of nice clean bright strings

*If your hands pH is to extreme, forget it... it won't last more than 1 1/2 weeks

I'd rather waste a week to get almost new bright strings than watching that horrible string soup

mmbongo · #17 02-02-2012, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyingfrets

Nope. Single set. Local GC wants $39 + tax for Rotosound & the La Bellas I have to get on line. Once in awhile I find them for $46 flat rate incl. shipping.

Don't care for GHS unfortunately.

Good Lord! Bass Strings Online is definitely your friend. You'll be saving over $20 a set on Rotosounds, depending on which ones you get..I assume 66's since you get them at GC. He has LaBella as well.

eagle67 · #18 02-02-2012, 06:30 AM

I fill a 4 foot long PVC tube (capped at one end) with denatured alcohol, and soak the strings overnight. The denatured alcohol is water free, so no danger of rust. Pull the strings out, and save the alcohol for the next cleaning.

bezbass · #19 02-02-2012, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkonar

I'd never boil my strings again, to me it sounds cheap, newbish and for the poor, no insult intended, those are hjust the first thing that comes to my mind when i think/read/talk of boiling strings

back on topic, boiling strings is not as effective as a 12 hour bath per string in denatured alcohol, sacrifice a week of playing a certainbass/or not playing at all but you'll get a month* of nice clean bright strings

*If your hands pH is to extreme, forget it... it won't last more than 1 1/2 weeks

I'd rather waste a week to get almost new bright strings than watching that horrible string soup

No offended taken. The guy who showed me is tommy Emmanuel's sound engineer and easily as good a bassist as he is an engineer. He was the first person I've seen to nail some I the harder jeff Berlin stuff.

Money isn't the object but an awesome tip and one which I
Can only say works for me an sounds top everytime.

Kevin67 · #20 02-02-2012, 07:30 AM

RotoSound Swing Electric Bass 4 String Roundwound Long Scale, .045 - .105, RS66LD

Juststrings.com these are the people I have always bought my strings from . They have great reliable customer service , fill your order promptly and will give you a track number to follow when they ship , I have my strings delivered in two days after I place my online order . I also play Roto's and La Bella stainless . Check em out !!