What's the BEST way to boil your strings?

[cliff2104]

Which way is best?
What is the right method?
And what do you add to the water?
And for how long does it boil?

PEACE

[FunkMetalBass]

Do you have access to a hardware store? If so, I highly recommend the denatured alcohol soak instead. It's about $20 for a gallon, but it lasts for a very long time. I've had much better results soaking my strings in it for 24 hours than I ever had with boiling.

[Shoewreck]

The best is to soak them in alcohol (most common) or acetone (my preferred).
The right method is not to boil strings.
Water is good as is, but you may add whatever you like.
Soaking strings overnight would be enough.

[FunkMetalBass]

If you absolutely insist on boiling, a touch of soap and vinegar is good to help clear away the grime, as well help keep the water away from the core during dry time. 20 minutes boiling, and then you have to towel-dry them. Once they cool, they can go back on the bass.

[SteveC]

The best way to get new strings is to buy new strings.

[stratovani]

Save yourself some coin - use 91% alcohol instead of denatured alcohol. Works just as good and is a lot cheaper.

[GZ2]

NEW STRINGS DOC, Can't go wrong with new strings. I used to boil. Sought of a hassle for not much gain. I buy strings by the box now(5 sets). Cost about $100. Last me about 6 months or so. Just my 2 cents

[lug]

I've posted this before but will repeat for the newer members of the forum. One of the biggest problems with boiling strings is that the oils and dead skin get on the strings while under they are under tension. When these same strings are removed and boiled the rings of roundwound strings are snug and essentially "grip" the debris so that no amount of boiling will loosen it. There is, however a solution. If you boil the strings while under tension, the rings are somewhat separated allowing access to the built up junk. The easiest way to achieve this is to boil your entire bass. This has many advantages over just boiling the strings. Any scratchy pots are thoroughly cleaned, the electrical contact point for your cable is cleaned, the junk built up next to your frets on a fretted bass is removed, and the rest of the hardware comes out shiny and new looking. The problem facing the average bassist is that he or she does not possess the proper equipment to do this. Usually a luthier's bass boiling cauldron is used. So take you bass down to your local luthier and request this service. He will know that you are a savvy bassist that knows all the tricks of the trade and will not try to overcharge you like he does all those non-string boiling bassists. Next weeks topic: The Poor Quality of Bass Finishes and Why They Keep Peeling Off.

[BiigM]

LOLOLOLOL

[kreider204]

Originally Posted by lug

I've posted this before but will repeat for the newer members of the forum. One of the biggest problems with boiling strings is that the oils and dead skin get on the strings while under they are under tension. When these same strings are removed and boiled the rings of roundwound strings are snug and essentially "grip" the debris so that no amount of boiling will loosen it. There is, however a solution. If you boil the strings while under tension, the rings are somewhat separated allowing access to the built up junk. The easiest way to achieve this is to boil your entire bass. This has many advantages over just boiling the strings. Any scratchy pots are thoroughly cleaned, the electrical contact point for your cable is cleaned, the junk built up next to your frets on a fretted bass is removed, and the rest of the hardware comes out shiny and new looking. The problem facing the average bassist is that he or she does not possess the proper equipment to do this. Usually a luthier's bass boiling cauldron is used. So take you bass down to your local luthier and request this service. He will know that you are a savvy bassist that knows all the tricks of the trade and will not try to overcharge you like he does all those non-string boiling bassists. Next weeks topic: The Poor Quality of Bass Finishes and Why They Keep Peeling Off.

And if you can't afford this service, just bathe with your bass. It's almost as good.

[Edit: This is a joke. Don't bathe with your bass and then try to sue me. Thank you.]

[Shoewreck]

If you insist on boiling you can soak your strings in buthane for an hour, then decompress.

[T. Alan Smith]

bubbling water

[markanini]

Hilarious post, lug!

I've gotten pretty good mileage out of an ultrasonic washing machine.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by SteveC

The best way to get new strings is to buy new strings.

I wish I could afford a $100 worth of strings every month. The biggest downside to an ERB is string costs.

[anonymous02282011]

Well, take them off the bass first.

Then I'd suggest using hydrofluoric acid instead of just plain tap water.

[logicman69]

Originally Posted by lug

I've posted this before but will repeat for the newer members of the forum. One of the biggest problems with boiling strings is that the oils and dead skin get on the strings while under they are under tension. When these same strings are removed and boiled the rings of roundwound strings are snug and essentially "grip" the debris so that no amount of boiling will loosen it. There is, however a solution. If you boil the strings while under tension, the rings are somewhat separated allowing access to the built up junk. The easiest way to achieve this is to boil your entire bass. This has many advantages over just boiling the strings. Any scratchy pots are thoroughly cleaned, the electrical contact point for your cable is cleaned, the junk built up next to your frets on a fretted bass is removed, and the rest of the hardware comes out shiny and new looking. The problem facing the average bassist is that he or she does not possess the proper equipment to do this. Usually a luthier's bass boiling cauldron is used. So take you bass down to your local luthier and request this service. He will know that you are a savvy bassist that knows all the tricks of the trade and will not try to overcharge you like he does all those non-string boiling bassists. Next weeks topic: The Poor Quality of Bass Finishes and Why They Keep Peeling Off.

LOL!!! Of course you KNOW some kid is going to try this.

OP: I highly recomend NOT boiling your strings. It will brighten your tone up in the short-term (the next day), but it will kill them even quicker. If you are having problems with longengevity of your strings, try different brands. I perfer GHS Flea Boomers. I get about 4-5 months off a set and they are only $25.

[SchizoBassist]

I've used animal fat with great success. Purists will tell you that boiling and deep frying aren't the same but i find animal fat lubricates the strings as well as reducing string noise (and the strings smell great too).

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by adbass

Well, take them off the bass first.

Then I'd suggest using hydrofluoric acid instead of just plain tap water.

I'm sure that's a joke, but for the record you do NOT want to putz around with HF (hydrofluoric acid). It's extremely toxic and corrosive, and even low concentrations can hurt you badly.

[IronLung1986]

Originally Posted by cliff2104

Which way is best?
What is the right method?
And what do you add to the water?
And for how long does it boil?

PEACE

so you're basically asking...what is the best water for metal?

literally haha.

[Rockmusician]

Why bother boiling them when you can just replace them?