Methylated Spirits (Cleaning strings)

ThumbFreak · #1 04-08-2008, 05:16 PM

Has anyone tried it?

I've heard of boiling strings and that it doesn't really helped. I researched and found this site that told me another way which is basically making a container out of PVC pipe, filling it with Methylated spirits and letting the strings soak for 12-24 hours.

I just made the little case and I have my DR Marcus Miller signatures soaking right now.

Apparently they are supposed to come out just like new.

Hopefully so! I don't have the money to buy new strings now.

I'll get them out in the morning after about 14 hours of them soaking. Put them on and see how it sounds.

UbuntuMatt · #2 04-08-2008, 05:20 PM

Hi,

I was directed to this website when asking how to adjust my truss rod without busting my neck, it has a blurb on proper string care, specifically to boiling and what to use:

http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/ba...rings_faq.html

I'm new to the bass, just ordered my first set of new strings today off Axe Music, check them out if you're Canadian like myself.

ThumbFreak · #3 04-08-2008, 05:21 PM

I got my info. from the same site on the Methylated Spirits tip.

http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/ba...ning_tube.html

doktorfeelgood · #4 04-08-2008, 06:17 PM

This is an excellent idea especilly these days with the cost of everything continuing to go up in this economy. I'll be checking this post to see how it worked out. But from what the site said it should work fine. )-(

62bass · #5 04-08-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThumbFreak

Has anyone tried it?

I've heard of boiling strings and that it doesn't really helped. I researched and found this site that told me another way which is basically making a container out of PVC pipe, filling it with Methylated spirits and letting the strings soak for 12-24 hours.

I just made the little case and I have my DR Marcus Miller signatures soaking right now.

Apparently they are supposed to come out just like new.

Hopefully so! I don't have the money to buy new strings now.

I'll get them out in the morning after about 14 hours of them soaking. Put them on and see how it sounds.

Where have you been? This was all rehashed a little while back.

They'll sound better for a while. Don't expect a miracle.

ThumbFreak · #6 04-10-2008, 07:50 AM

Well I let the string soak for about 16 hours, let them dry, then put them on my bass.

It sounded wonderful. Almost like new strings, I'm very pleased with the results.

One Drop · #7 04-11-2008, 12:32 PM

I just tried it for the first time, in a mason jar. Worked great, the Rotosounds came out sounding nearly new but not quite all the way.

CapnSev · #8 04-11-2008, 12:38 PM

Put that stuff on your fingers for a while and they'll harden like rocks on the tips. It's a foolproof way to keep your fingers from hurting or blistering. It's pretty hardcore stuff though, you can't feel anything with your fingertips.

lowendgenerator · #9 04-11-2008, 12:53 PM

It helps to wipe the strings down real well as they come out of the bath, it gets the residual gunk off. I've tried rinsing them in hot water afterwards, with decent results. Just make sure to get the moisture off as fast as possible. I used a towel and a blow dryer lol.

rufus mangler · #10 04-11-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

It helps to wipe the strings down real well as they come out of the bath, it gets the residual gunk off. I've tried rinsing them in hot water afterwards, with decent results. Just make sure to get the moisture off as fast as possible. I used a towel and a blow dryer lol.

+1
A lot of gunk comes off if you wipe them down on the way out.

lowendgenerator · #11 04-11-2008, 11:39 PM

I should start making and selling my little PVC tubes. I've built a couple for friends, they all love 'em. I have a big 1.5 incher that can soak 3 or 4 sets at once.

ljazz · #12 04-12-2008, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

I have a big 1.5 incher

hmmm..... nahhhhh..... I don't think I'll touch that one!

Yapser · #13 04-12-2008, 09:17 AM

Throwing your strings in an alcohol bath for a night really works. I tried it several times and everytime they come out sounding broken-in fresh. The only thing is those coloured string-ends will come off a bit.

lowendgenerator · #14 04-12-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljazz

hmmm..... nahhhhh..... I don't think I'll touch that one!

HAHA that's in diameter, not length. And I wouldn't let you touch it anyway, perv!

lowendgenerator · #15 04-12-2008, 10:24 AM

On a side note, I've actually bathed my strings so much that it's time to change the bathwater lol. that alcohol has to come out, its turning colors and starting to taste funny.

(just kidding)

eastcoasteddie · #16 04-13-2008, 11:57 AM

I boil my strings. Works for me.
Bring water to a boil, drop in strings, let boil for 20 minutes. Good like new.

manicbassman · #17 04-14-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yapser

Throwing your strings in an alcohol bath for a night really works. I tried it several times and everytime they come out sounding broken-in fresh. The only thing is those coloured string-ends will come off a bit.

that's the downer for me... that and the fact that the strings will get weaker where they get wound round the tuners...

I have a large piece of plastic card that I use to shield my fretboard and bass with, and use methylated spirits on a cotton makeup removal pad to get most of the gunk off with, then wipe it off and finish off with Fast Fret...

the JT · #18 04-14-2008, 01:58 AM

I found soaking my strings was a great alternative to replacing them all the time. Mine go dead in about a week, so i have a couple of sets in rotation (on my bass, in the tube or spare) at any time. To me, it gets my fatbeams basically new.
Be careful to avoid putting the strings under unnecessary stress however. I found that after constantly loading and taking them off, they were very succeptible to breakage. Even the D and G strings.

ZenBass · #19 04-15-2008, 04:32 PM

hey,

Ive done this before and it really removed lots of grim and build up however they are never going to be packet fresh new...

I tried it with my elites just as a bit of fun...the brightness was back but strings felt more tighers and the coating they put on them was gone cause they didnt feel as smooth when compared to a new set.

I would always recommend replacing strings rather than cleaning but if budgets are tight then its great tho i would only do one set of strings once.!!

centralharbor · #20 04-16-2008, 02:13 AM

I have a pvc pipe cleaner too. Hardware stores sell precut pvc pipes, so it makes it that much easier. Just make sure to seal the end so the alcohol doesn't get out.

What I do is I rotate my strings. I have 2 basses that use the same type of strings so I have a third set (well, actually more, but for this purpose, 3). The third set is always soaking, then when one of the basses needs a change, there's a fresh set waiting in the tube. Just swap it and by the time the other bass needs a change, it'll be all clean. Total, the whole string cleaner setup cost less than a set of strings, so why not.