Cleaning Strings

[EddieN]

Would naphtha work as well as alcohol?

[ProfGumby]

Lot's of good info here....

I have been wiping my strings down with an alcohol based wipe after playing...

I play a minimum of 1/2 hour almost daily, most times more like an hour...

If I were gigging 180 nights a year, other methods would be employed as I can see how the cost of strings adds up.....especially if 2 basses are used...

[bikeplate]

Hi

Hey Prof. What wipes and where do you get them? Thanx

Rob

[manicbassman]

Originally Posted by bikeplate

Hi

Hey Prof. What wipes and where do you get them? Thanx

Rob

alcohol wipes for medical use?

http://www.redcross.org.uk/shop/prod...category=58507

that's what I'd use...

[Sundogue]

Stanley Clark used to use Aqua Velva.

He said not only were his strings good as new, they smelled good too.

[sammcl1608]

I boil mine with soap, then just towel dry them, seems to work.

[fearceol]

Having read through this thread can I assume that the majority of you dont use flats ? My point being, as they last a long time there's no need to change them so often.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by fearceol

Having read through this thread can I assume that the majority of you dont use flats ? My point being, as they last a long time there's no need to change them so often.

I use flats on my P-Bass and yes they last a long time. But roundwounds lose their appeal when dirty because then they start sounding more like flats.

You can get roundwounds to sound more like flats, but you can't ever get flats to sound like roundwounds. So when roundwounds get dirty you either have to accept that sound, clean them, or buy new ones.

[PilbaraBass]

only prob with wiping down your strings with alcohol wipes...is that while you're definitely keeping your strings fresh, you're also drying out your fingerboard.

And if you get any alchohol on a nitro finish, it's instant meltdown....so be careful, and keep a regular lemon oil regime on your board.

[ProfGumby]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

only prob with wiping down your strings with alcohol wipes...is that while you're definitely keeping your strings fresh, you're also drying out your fingerboard.

And if you get any alchohol on a nitro finish, it's instant meltdown....so be careful, and keep a regular lemon oil regime on your board.

I dont wipe the fretboard. The wipes I use are available at most pharmacies, I get mine from Wallgreen's. They are listed as "large", but are about 1x2 inches or so. I just pinch the top of the string with the wipe in my fingertips and don't touch the fretboard.

I also have used the really el cheapo baby/hand sanitizer wipes that are alcohol based. Lot's of alcohol, little other stuff, harsh on hands, good on strings.

I still prefer to soak strings in alcohol, I used an old metal paint can and coiled em up...

I don't gig, and am still rel-earning what I used to know and blazing new ground, but will soak strings again.....