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Alternatives to denatured alcohol for string cleaning (not boiling)
- Thread starter kesslari
- Start date
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,233
- 45,120
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
I just saw a bottle at my local grocery store. I was surprised but there it was.
IIRC there are two versions of Everclear. The higher proof one may not be available here but I'm going by an old memory of being in Tahoe with some friends who decided they just had to have the serious version, so they went into Nevada to see if they could track some down. I might be remembering this incorrectly. I don't think they ever found it, so the Everclear itself is not to blame for my faulty remembering.
Honestly the whole boiling the strings in a pan thing is too much stress on the strings to be useful for repeat use.
The way I clean my strings is I put the strings in a container, tiniest bit of washing up liquid (like literally a small dot of it, you really dont need much) pour boiling water on them and give them 10 mins to soak, after that pour the water out and rinse them in the container with water till there is no sign of the washing up liquid left, dry the strings thoroughly and then once dried they will be ready to use, they wont sound completely like new but they will be 90% of the way there and unlike the boiling in a pan method this method can be used multiple times before the strings need replacing
Cave Puppy
"Humph Bo, he's wond!" - John Lennon
It's the wear under the strings where it meets the fret is when I change strings after "slapping the shite" out of them. Intonation changes when there's fret wear on the strings plus ... buzz.
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on your behalf
, i just read all about everclear vs. moonshine here:Everclear vs Moonshine: What is the Difference?
if i understood correctly: you can make moonshine with the same alcohol % as the strong everclear (190 proof)!
and so, here is an affordable stovetop still to make your own string-cleaning solvent:
Copper Appalachian - Easiest to Use Complete Stove Top Moonshine Still Kit
whaddya think?
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91% Isopropyl alcohol.
Acetone is a much more aggressive solvent. wouldn’t use it with strings on the bass. It’s also more of an ignition hazard.
27 years in process chemistry.
(50 years playing bass)
Acetone is a much more aggressive solvent. wouldn’t use it with strings on the bass. It’s also more of an ignition hazard.
27 years in process chemistry.
(50 years playing bass)
A long time time ago I read an article with Stanley Clarke and he said he used Mennen Skin Bracer after shave because it worked and the strings smelled nice
View attachment 4739504
a friend of mine (pro, full-time) just told me on saturday that he's started using this stuff and that he's very pleased with the improved "string life." he'd also been a denatured alcohol guy, but said: "i went from treatment to prevention."
i've used the stuff before --- years ago, but didn't get the same results (user error?), and stopped using it. just throwing it out there because he (and others: the stuff is ubiquitous) finds it useful.
good luck finding the right stuff!
I just got some of this and while I can't speak to the cleaning capabilities (I use flatwounds) it's kind of uncanny how it freshens up the tone of the strings.
It may be 151 proof, which is available in many states. The 180 proof version is only available in very few states.
91% isopropyl sold in drug stores has about the same alcohol/water ratio as high-proof Everclear.
That's a good idea...but you'd need to be careful about the laundry detergent you use, as your strings would get coated with "fresh scent", chemical brighteners, and softener additives.
You've given me a great idea that I need to try, which is:
Run your strings through the dishwasher.
Dishwasher detergent is made to cut grease, and the water is already boiling or very close to it.
Just don't use "rinse aid".
I'm going to try this next time my strings die!
(You might need to tie them in a big coil with a couple zip ties/twist ties, or otherwise prevent them from falling out and getting caught in the spinners. They probably won't coil up tight enough to fit in the silverware basket.)
Wow...you're right. Nevada has very liberal liquor laws, but apparently 190 proof Everclear is still illegal there. That has to be the single case where something is legal in Utah but not Nevada or California!
In Which States Is It Legal to Sell Everclear?
That's a good idea...but you'd need to be careful about the laundry detergent you use, as your strings would get coated with "fresh scent", chemical brighteners, and softener additives.
You've given me a great idea that I need to try, which is:
Run your strings through the dishwasher.
Dishwasher detergent is made to cut grease, and the water is already boiling or very close to it.
Just don't use "rinse aid".
I'm going to try this next time my strings die!
(You might need to tie them in a big coil with a couple zip ties/twist ties, or otherwise prevent them from falling out and getting caught in the spinners. They probably won't coil up tight enough to fit in the silverware basket.)
Wow...you're right. Nevada has very liberal liquor laws, but apparently 190 proof Everclear is still illegal there. That has to be the single case where something is legal in Utah but not Nevada or California!
In Which States Is It Legal to Sell Everclear?
I've used all sorts of detergents and never noticed any problem, but I suppose you could use one with no scent if you were concerned.
Vinegar with a drop of Dawn, and some agitation is a great idea. Then, drop into a pot of boiling water to rinse and dry them.
Yes, good point. One should take precautions when using any chemical, including reading the warnings on the label.
