DR Neons and de-natured alcohol

[schecter5string]

I would like to buy some neon's for my bass, I soak my stings in de-natuted alcohol so they last longer, so has anyone soaked DR Neon's, does the soaking affect the coating on the strings?

[gunlak]

recenlty, i did it on my 7 month old DR Neon Greens.



sorry i just snapped a pic with my laptop.


the results were good tonewise, brightness lasted for about a week then back to the 'broken in' sound.

but the feeling became sticky and the some color faded, mostly on the g string where almost all the coating worn off.

notice the alcohol turned green? yeah that's the coating.

i don't recommend doing this to ANY coated string.

[Waffles and Scotch]

Thanks for posting this! I used to wipe my DR Hi-Beams down using a cloth with alcohol on it, but was hesitant to try it on my coated DR's. I'm glad I didn't.

[schecter5string]

just what I was afraid of. That sucks!!!!

[chadhargis]

Isn't the point of coated strings to keep the gunk out of the windings in the first place?

Seems like you could just wipe them down and play on.

[schecter5string]

that is what I don't know? I go through a set of strings in 6-8 weeks, that is why I soak them, if the Neons last longer than that they are worth the money to me, if not I will stay with my Hi-beams and soak them.

[Waffles and Scotch]

Yes, the coating is made to "keep gunk out" and protect the strings, but I always like to give things a little cleaning as opposed to just wiping them off, which is why I'd thought about wiping them down with alcohol. I doubt it'd have any impact on their lifespan, just a personal preference...

[gunlak]

the coatings doesn't last forever unlike Elixirs does.

i just missed the 'bright' first couple of weeks sound, and i don't have money to buy a new set.

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by gunlak

the coatings doesn't last forever unlike Elixirs does.

.

I wore the coating off my Elixers in 2 weeks.

[Waffles and Scotch]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I wore the coating off my Elixers in 2 weeks.

I used Elixir Nanoweb's for about a year and was pleasantly surprised when I switched to DR Black Beauties. The coating on the DR's lasted significantly longer.

[gunlak]

sorry, i forgot to say that i based my statement on electric guitars.

[theorcolus]

I just picked up a set of these strings for my fretless. I am sure they will last a little longer without fretware but I am a firm believer in, when the strings are done, their done. Time to put on a new set
Just my opinion