String boiling

stratovani · #1 12-12-2009, 12:38 PM

I don't know where this should go, but since it has to do with strings then I might as well put it here. I've got Fender 9050ML Flats on my P, and I boiled them once about a year ago. I'm thinking about boiling them again, my question is, how many times can you boil strings anyways?

The Claude · #2 12-12-2009, 12:44 PM

If you want to clean your strings I would recommend soaking them in denatured alcohol rather than boiling them. Boiling them seems far less effective and weakens the strings. You can do a search on TB for string cleaning and a bunch of threads will come up.

MysticMichael · #3 12-12-2009, 01:18 PM

It's a short-term, last-ditch solution at best. A much better solution is simply to replace your strings.

Boiling hastens separation of the wrap from the core. Just buy a new set of strings already...

MM

Meatrus · #4 12-12-2009, 03:12 PM

Boiling is worth doing once to me, I dont see the problem with MAYBE damaging a string which would be thrown without doing it,

But why would you want to boil flats? They are supposed to be dead.

stratovani · #5 12-12-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

Boiling is worth doing once to me, I dont see the problem with MAYBE damaging a string which would be thrown without doing it,

But why would you want to boil flats? They are supposed to be dead.

Hmmm...you've got a point there...

Solarmist · #6 12-13-2009, 02:08 PM

Once or twice max. I get new ones after the 1st.

Diogenes · #7 12-13-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

... why would you want to boil flats? They are supposed to be dead.

Not necessarily. The reason I like flats (at least D'Addario Chromes) is because they're mellower and less twangy than roundwounds but are lively enough to play harmonics and sound good for slap... nothing like the filthy, grungy old GHS flats on my P bass that I use for old school R&B. They also are great when recording mellow songs because there's less finger noise.

But I don't boil my strings to clean them, I soak them in denatured alcohol or acetone.

archer121 · #8 12-13-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diogenes

...I don't boil my strings to clean them, I soak them in denatured alcohol or acetone.

I read about that on studybass.com a while back but haven't tried it yet. What do think of the results? Have you tried it with coated strings? With something like Elixirs or tapewound strings, it seems either boiling or soaking the string would be pointless but with something like DRs that have coated wires I can see where it may help so long as the treatment doesn't eat away at the coating.

WILL WAHL · #9 12-13-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

I don't know where this should go, but since it has to do with strings then I might as well put it here. I've got Fender 9050ML Flats on my P, and I boiled them once about a year ago. I'm thinking about boiling them again, my question is, how many times can you boil strings anyways?

I have boiled bass strings for years! The trick is to use some white distilled vinegar about a cup! I'll boil a set three times!

Rocky · #10 12-13-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

MysticMichael It's a short-term, last-ditch solution at best. A much better solution is simply to replace your strings.

I agree with MysticMichael a new set is maybe 30 bucks.

Meatrus · #11 12-13-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diogenes

Not necessarily. The reason I like flats (at least D'Addario Chromes) is because they're mellower and less twangy than roundwounds but are lively enough to play harmonics and sound good for slap... nothing like the filthy, grungy old GHS flats on my P bass that I use for old school R&B. They also are great when recording mellow songs because there's less finger noise.

But I don't boil my strings to clean them, I soak them in denatured alcohol or acetone.

I know, its of course down to the player, who is free to do what they prefer, some people like bright flats...I personally dont see the point. As they just sound like rounds or flats lacking something. Chromes brightness is in my opinion why they have become so popular. People like the idea/feel of flats but not the sound, so Chromes seem like they are the middle ground. If I want a bright sound I would buy rounds, and a flat sound a "real" (sorry that probably upset a few people) flat.

The comment you quoted was based on why a lot of people use flats, I'm sorry if it seemed a bit blanket. But I find flats get better the older (within reason) they are, and it seems quite a few people do. And based on the fact Fenders flats arent all that bright in the first place, boiling seems like a waste of good dirt which helps them sound their best IMO

.

Most of the above is just my opinion, so I'm not meaning to get into anything.

Diogenes · #12 12-13-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archer121

... Have you tried it with coated strings? With something like Elixirs or tapewound strings, it seems either boiling or soaking the string would be pointless but with something like DRs that have coated wires I can see where it may help so long as the treatment doesn't eat away at the coating.

Although I don't use coated strings and have never tried cleaning them I've used acetone for numerous other things and can tell you that it's not very poly-plastic-whatever friendly. It'll clean off all kinds of contaminates from metal (used it for cleaning brake discs when I was racing... nothing's better for removing residue road/brake grime/residue) and wood (glue joints are sound once cleaned with acetone). And despite how 'nasty' it is to some kinds of plastics and synthetics, it's actually one of the safer 'cleaners' to handle. It's 'safer' than say laquer thinner, mineral spirits or of course MEK. The point of boiling is to remove body oils and skin along with other filth that can deaden the string's sound. I think denatured alcohol or acetone is far more effective than boiling and both evaporate far quicker than water (acetone even more so than d.a.) which, along with the heat, can actually promote or accelerate corrosion (hey now, hey now now

).

But beware. I'm not a chemist, chemical engineer or anyone with vast amounts of knowledge in the field of chemistry. I'm just some dude who happened to survive this long after a life full of "Hey, I wonder if...?".

Diogenes · #13 12-13-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatrus

... And based on the fact Fenders flats arent all that bright in the first place, boiling seems like a waste of good dirt...

Fair enough then.

Arvin · #14 12-13-2009, 06:16 PM

When my Rotosound 66's get dull sounding, I soak them in denatured alcohol overnight. It brightens them right up, and they're good for another few weeks. They don't quite get to the brightness of brand new, but I wouldn't want that anyway.

I've got one set that I've soaked and re-used 4-5 times now.

mongo2 · #15 12-15-2009, 06:06 AM

"Waste of good dirt."... I like that one.

Rocky · #16 12-15-2009, 12:53 PM

I like Fender 9050ML's and they sound great for blues and jazz but boiling flats seems like a waist of time in my opinion. I wipe my strings down after I play and that seems to keep the dirt and sweat to a minimum. The only reason I even change them is not due to a loss of brightness, but rather the way they fell "hard" after a certain amount of play or time. I like to feel a little bounce or life in the actual string that all the boiling in the world won't replace. Also, I have been very lucky to own and play very nice basses. I currently play a 64 jazz reissue, and it seems silly to skimp on a 25.00 set of strings on a 3500.00 bass, but thats just my opinion.