Boiled my strings – what a difference!

[RGerhart]

Playing with clean hands can also help prolong string life. Only takes a half a minute and a sink. Just sayin’

I'm glad I'm not the only one that does this. It's amazing how dirty your hands get, and I always make a point to wash them before playing. Especially if you are like most bands that have to haul in equipment and setup.

 

[Grinderman]

I find that adding some fresh garlic and ginger makes everything slightly more piquant...

 

[MrLenny1]

Not for long.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

^ This. It works for the short term, but you'll be back to dead in a few days. I've done it before in college.

 

[TLBass]

^ This. It works for the short term, but you'll be back to dead in a few days. I've done it before in college.

But my question is what would cause it to relapse in a few days? If gunk build up over months is the main culprit, with the degunked string sounding almost new and not more rusty in any observable way, I won't expect it to sound that bad again until it has accumulated the same amount of gunk all over again.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Tony's on EVERYTHING!

BBB

 

[gln1955]

They taste better fried IMO.

An air fryer will keep the grease away for better tone. Healthier, too.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

But my question is what would cause it to relapse in a few days? If gunk build up over months is the main culprit, with the degunked string sounding almost new and not more rusty in any observable way, I won't expect it to sound that bad again until it has accumulated the same amount of gunk all over again.

No idea, maybe it's really not cleaning anything but the surface and anything below is just moved around. Play them for a couple days and the gunk settles in again. Have you seen this?

 

[Topkat13]

You ought’ah try cabbage!

 

[TLBass]

No idea, maybe it's really not cleaning anything but the surface and anything below is just moved around. Play them for a couple days and the gunk settles in again. Have you seen this?

Yeah, I actually mentioned this video earlier, although I only saw it after making stringhittini. I assume that would remove much less oily dirt than boiling and then soaping.

 

[bass12]

If I replaced my strings every time mine went dead I’d be going through a set per week. I boil mine with equal parts water and vinegar for two minutes. That’ll get me through another gig or two and then I boil them again. I’ll do this around ten times per set before replacing.

 

[Marc A Valero]

But my question is what would cause it to relapse in a few days? If gunk build up over months is the main culprit, with the degunked string sounding almost new and not more rusty in any observable way, I won't expect it to sound that bad again until it has accumulated the same amount of gunk all over again.

I believe after playing strings for awhile they develop minute/tiny pitting from fretts that the oils and gunk quickly get into. I find, after a boil, after a couple of sets of performing they aren't as zingy.

 

[TLBass]

If I replaced my strings every time mine went dead I’d be going through a set per week. I boil mine with equal parts water and vinegar for two minutes. That’ll get me through another gig or two and then I boil them again. I’ll do this around ten times per set before replacing.

I'm pretty certain that entitles you to an instant Italian citizenship.

 

[NobodyImportant]

Just use saccharin for that sweet tone with a note of metal.

Or some xanthan gum for a thicker tone.

 

[TLBass]

I believe after playing strings for awhile they develop minute/tiny pitting from fretts that the oils and gunk quickly get into. I find, after a boil, after a couple of sets of performing they aren't as zingy.

Assuming that is the case, then it is still about keeping the strings (so basically your hands) as clean as possible while still being able to reclean them if you don't mind the slight hassle (assuming you actually manage to keep them decently clean for more than a few days a time).

 

[TLBass]

Or some xanthan gum for a thicker tone.

Like this?

 

[NobodyImportant]

Like this?
View attachment 5458058

 

[Grinderman]

Not for long.

^ This. It works for the short term, but you'll be back to dead in a few days. I've done it before in college.

Same but I'm like, screw it... leave 'em to give it a try to learn what happens.

 

[MARVIN MECKLER]

I have a 1990 Rickenbacker that has had the same strings on it for 34 years.

They sound and perform as new.

I take them off and rub them with a rag soaked in 91% rubbing alcohol. Back and forth, the entire length of the string. One direction down, one direction back up. Dozens upon dozens of times, keeping the rag soaking wet as 91% evaporates quickly.

Then, and this is the important part, I polish the string to get all the residue off with a fresh clean cloth...I do it the same way, full length up and down, dozens of times.

These were generic strings with small chrome ball ends that came on a cheap chinese bass. But, they sounded UNBELIEVABLE with an aggressive LOUD midrange biting clang without being scooped or sizzly. They felt great, and SOUND great. I have found nothing comparable in over three decades.

And since I have no clue what they actually ARE, it is imperative that I keep them performing as new.

Thirty-four years later, they do. Using the method above.

 

[ElectricBass72]

What was the stretch of time between each boiling? Because people would usually consider tone to have become too dull after at least a couple of months, so if it regained a similar usable tone period after the first boiling I'd say it's worth it.

I assume drying the strings quickly (perhaps using a hot air blower as was suggested somewhere) should minimize any microscopic amount of rust that could otherwise develop from leftover water over the following hours, so I think that boiling shouldn't make the strings die again quicker from a chemical standpoint, regardless of re-dulling of tone with new gunk through playing.

The 90's were so long ago... it's hard to remember. I think it was 2 weeks of crisp strings before they were dead again. Depends on how much you play... if you're playing just about every day... it will be less than 2 weeks. If only 2-3 times a week... maybe longer. Also depends on the quality of strings. Back in the day... Dean Markleys had a longer life than most other brands, even after 2-3 boiling sessions.

I boiled them for 2 minutes, using tongs to submerse them and take them out... and then quickly dried them off with a dish towel.