Isopropeyl (Alcohol) on strings - fred board question..

SamJ · #1 05-21-2006, 01:12 PM

I was torn as to whether to post this on the strings or bass forum, but it's not about the strings.. so I'll give it a shot here..

I use Rubbing alcohol to wipe down my strings after I play a bass, this I found keeps the strings bright longer, and obviously wipes off my sweat and grime.. even though I wash my hands before I play, they still sweat sometimes more than most.. Anyway..

I dampen a quality micro-fiber rag with the alcohol and wipe the strings only, but it's inevitable that I get some alcohol on parts of my fret board at times.. not gobs, but occasional frets will catch a bit..

Do I need to be worried about this small amount?? My intuition tells me that over the long run, rubbing alcohol on the fret board will dry out the wood, but I'm not wiping down the fret board.. just the strings, and so very little gets on there... it works wonders on the strings..

I'd like to hear from Luthiers, and others with experience in this area..

Thanks

ddnidd1 · #2 05-21-2006, 04:39 PM

I've been using isopropyl alcohol on my strings on multiple basses for many years. It's never been a problem.

Diego · #3 05-21-2006, 04:58 PM

Not a problem. If your board gets to dry just oil it a bit with ONE OR TWO drops on boiled lineseed oil. That should restore it. Do not overdo this, you'll need to do it about once a year at most.

SamJ · #4 05-21-2006, 06:17 PM

thanks guys, I feel much better now that I know I'm not abusing my fretboards.. I will keep the advise in mind on the Lineseed..

Those strings will last me a lot longer with the whip downs..

Ostinato · #5 05-21-2006, 06:39 PM

Get a plastic bag and cut it at the seams then put it under the strings. Acohol is ok but if you really want to clean the grunge from your strings use WD-40.
I usually loosen the tension a bit, spray on a light coat, wait ten minutes, then wipe the strings in a twisting fashion, going with the wind of the string. Works great.

bongomania · #6 05-21-2006, 07:24 PM

Ostinato, that had to be a joke, right? I mean, I could see doing that if the bass had been left on the floor of a barn for a year or two, and you really didn't want to buy new strings, but...

SamJ · #7 05-21-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ostinato

Get a plastic bag and cut it at the seams then put it under the strings. Acohol is ok but if you really want to clean the grunge from your strings use WD-40.
I usually loosen the tension a bit, spray on a light coat, wait ten minutes, then wipe the strings in a twisting fashion, going with the wind of the string. Works great.

I doubt I'll let mine get that bad frankly.. and I'll usually replace them at least once a month.. I just want them to keep that new sound.

but I like the plastic bag idea.. never thought of that!

ddnidd1 · #8 05-22-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ostinato

Get a plastic bag and cut it at the seams then put it under the strings. Acohol is ok but if you really want to clean the grunge from your strings use WD-40.
I usually loosen the tension a bit, spray on a light coat, wait ten minutes, then wipe the strings in a twisting fashion, going with the wind of the string. Works great.

Using WD-40 will dramatically deaden the sound of your strings. If you put on a new set and apply WD-40 they'll immediately sound like they're six months old - no highs whatsoever. Alcohol removes oils, etc. - WD40 just coats the strings with oil.

fiveightandten · #9 05-23-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddnidd1

Using WD-40 will dramatically deaden the sound of your strings. If you put on a new set and apply WD-40 they'll immediately sound like they're six months old - no highs whatsoever. Alcohol removes oils, etc. - WD40 just coats the strings with oil.

I like the sound of that. I hate the brightness and clankyness of new strings. I'm actually always looking for ways to deaden them up quickly. The most effective way i've found is to rub a glazed donut up and down them a few times. I kid you not, works great.

-Nick

SamJ · #10 05-23-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

I like the sound of that. I hate the brightness and clankyness of new strings. I'm actually always looking for ways to deaden them up quickly. The most effective way i've found is to rub a glazed donut up and down them a few times. I kid you not, works great.

-Nick

I'll make an arrangement with you... You and I will split the cost of a 12 pack of bass strings... I'll then proceed to play them for a week or two, and then give them to you.. this way we both get what we want, and at 1/2 price! What do you say?

Ostinato · #11 06-11-2006, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddnidd1

Using WD-40 will dramatically deaden the sound of your strings. If you put on a new set and apply WD-40 they'll immediately sound like they're six months old - no highs whatsoever. Alcohol removes oils, etc. - WD40 just coats the strings with oil.

It works. It does contain a very light oil compound but it also contains some type of petrolium which cleans the string better than anything I've ever come across, including alcohol. If you do what I said in my last post, and you wipe them properly after applying you'll end up with your strings sounding brand new and they will be mildly lubricated.

SamJ · #12 06-11-2006, 09:27 AM

Oddly, I trued reverse osmosis water and the same effect happened as with the Isopropl alcohol.. the strings came to life for about 2-3 minutes, then back to flat sounding.. and as with the Iso, the E string was the worse..

I'm going to get some of this denatured alcohol and see if it does better.