Bringing strings back from the dead!

[superfunk47]

Hey guys!

I've recently fallen in love with DR strings...but I can't help but dread the day when I have to admit to myself that they're dead.

I've heard of guys boiling their dead strings in water/soaking them in some solution. I read the FAQ thread on this and searched, but I wasn't getting any conclusive answers. What I gathered, however, was that a) You don't want to boil stainless steel strings (I use HiBeams, btw), and b) Everybody has their own recipe for bringing strings back to life.

So what do you all use to bring your strings back to life? And how many times can you do this before your strings really just can't take it anymore?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by superfunk47

Hey guys!

I've recently fallen in love with DR strings...but I can't help but dread the day when I have to admit to myself that they're dead.

I've heard of guys boiling their dead strings in water/soaking them in some solution. I read the FAQ thread on this and searched, but I wasn't getting any conclusive answers. What I gathered, however, was that a) You don't want to boil stainless steel strings (I use HiBeams, btw), and b) Everybody has their own recipe for bringing strings back to life.

So what do you all use to bring your strings back to life? And how many times can you do this before your strings really just can't take it anymore?

There's been numerous threads about this. It works to a point. From the enthusiastic reports from some who've tried it, you'd think it was something new. It isn't. Guys have boiled guitar strings for as long as I remember. Bass strings too.

In my experience, the alcohol soak method works best.

There's a limit to how many times you'll get any improvement. Strings eventually get worn out and develop hard spots on them and worn spots, or just break. But if you prize the zingy roundwound sound and don't want to pay for new strings, you can extend their life quite a bit.

[Basstovsky]

soaking them overnight in denatured alcohol works wonderfully, i would advise against boiling them because it tends to lead to rusting. the only point where it stops working is as 62bass said, from the physical wear (stretching of windings, indentations from the frets). Denatured alcohol helped me revive a set of 20 year old flats on an instrument that hadn't been played for years.

[MysticMichael]

IME, it's not worth the time and effort for the amount of zing you get back. Don't be such a cheap SOB. Just go buy some new strings...

MM

[Psychicpet]

the best way i have found to 'bring 'em back to life' is .....
























to buy a new set!




sorry, but once they're dead, they're dead. you can never get them back to like new sounding so I put up with them for as long as I can and then suck it up and buy a new set.

[smakbass]

Must be a bit of a drag getting them back on too....

I just buy new ones as well.

[Gordon of Eden]

Boil Boil Boil. I actually get 3 boils out of every set of strings on average. Coil them up in the pan, cover with water, throw in 1 cap full of vinegar and bring to a boil for 3-5 minutes. Turn off the burner, empty the water and rinse with fresh hot water to get rid of the vinegar and return to the still hot buner. Let them sit there for a while, this will help evaporate the water. Use a pot holder when you first take the strings out (they are sooo hot) once the cool you can use a little rubbing alchohol (90%) to help evaporate any remaining moisture. I actually don't find this to be needed but if it gives you peace of mind then go for it. I actually prefer the sound after the 1st and 2nd boils. I go for the 3rd if I am particularly broke but it usually works out. People always remark about my tone and ask me how I can afford to change strings so often. Give it a try. It's easy, you can do it while watching TV, you get to spend some quality time with a loved-one, and the bass is really easy to clean and polish when the strings are off. And most importantly, I have never experienced a problen with the necks from doing this.

[Luke73]

Originally Posted by Gordon of Eden

once the cool you can use a little rubbing alchohol (90%) to help evaporate any remaining moisture.

Most Rubbing alcohol contains oils and will leave a residue on your strings.

You need pure Isopropyl alcohol if you want to do this, not rubbing alcohol.

[superfunk47]

I'd buy new strings every time the ones I have go dead, save for two reasons.

1. I'm a poor high school student, no job, pretty much the money I have comes from gigs, and the occasional odd job. Not a whole lot of money to throw around, least of all on strings. Oh, did I mention I have a GF to spend money on too?

2. Even if/when I can afford to buy new strings every time a set goes dead, I see it as a waste of money/ strings if I can bring some back to life to the point where the sound is acceptable to me. I mean, why not save a little bit of money for other things if it's possible? I don't see that as cheap, I see that as a smart fiscal habit.

That said, where might I be able to buy isopropyl alcohol? Any kind of local store that might carry it?

[Luke73]

Originally Posted by superfunk47

IOh, did I mention I have a GF to spend money on too?

.....any girlfriend worth her salt would realise that bass gear is far more important than her!

[Psychicpet]

wasn't meaning to insinuate you're cheap

I remember all too well having to tie on the bit of a D string I had just snipped 'cause i had cut it too short and these "Blue Steels" were the new thing and I had saved a wholllllllllle lotta money (and drove 2 1/2hrs to the nearest city that had a shop that carried them) to throw the new set away. And the fact that I had cut my old set off.

So there I was with a D string with a nice old knot in it between the nut and the tuner for oh, a few months until I had enough money for a cheap set of Boomers again


so yes, I hear your plight.

other things to do that will help, Always wash your hands before playing (may seem like a simple no-brainer but...) And give your strings a wipe down with a cloth after you play to make sure if there's any sweat on there you can try to mop it off. Little preventative measures.

[Solarmist]

There's been a lot of threads on this subject. Different people do it different ways - its all about one's personal preference of method. I boil them with dishsoap on MED for 20 minutes coiled up in a pan - then rinse in water, and let dry. I makes them smell sooooo good too! I have never seen rust on nickel or stainless strings ... ever. I will do this a max of three times - then discard.

Here's another [ ] method:
Deep Frying Strings?

[One Drop]

The denatured alcohol method is so much simpler and more effective, I would recommend it over boiling any day. I coil my Rotos and put them in a mason jar over night. Nothing could be simpler and you get most of the brightness back. I'll do it once or twice to each set and then chuck them or leave them on a bass that I want duller rounds on.

[JEDI BASS]

I use DR Longnecks on my Lakland 55-94, and I don't sweat a lot and always play with clean hands. When I first put them on, they are very abrasive and squeaky feeling/sounding. I can't wait 'til they get broke in and a little dirty. And, honestly they've never went dead before I notice that they're worn out: grooved from the frets. I dunno what alien technology has went into the Lakland fretwire, but they're stainless eaters! So, my point is that for me, Longnecks wear out before they go dead.... one reason that I love them so much.