• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Boiling Strings?

#61
FYI . . . I'm going to try the 24-hr denatured alcohol soak with some 'used' strings for my first time ever!

I recently got a new (fretted) bass that arrived strung with round wound strings, but I prefer flats. So I bought a new set of my favorite strings (TI Jazz Flats) that I put on to my fretless (#1 bass), and now I'm going to put the 'old' strings from the fretless onto the newest bass (becomes #2?).

Even after playing various stringed instruments for over 50+ years I had never previously boiled or tried to 'refreshen' used strings. I had heard about it a lot but it always seemed unnecessary, messy or too time consuming. The strings from the fretless (TI Jazz Flats) are about a year old and I wondered about boiling them before putting them on the new bass, so I did a "boiling strings" search on my favourite bass forum (and revived this 25 year old thread!). Well, the consensus from several commenters appears to be that alcky-soaking is better than boiling, so I'm going to give it a try.

"But B.D.", (you ask) "Why don't you just buy another new set of TI Jazz Flats for the new bass?"

Well, as much as I love playing the TI Jazz Flats (especially a new set), they are kind of expensive - especially the 5 string sets - so this new G&L is going to get a 'freshened' set of not-that-old strings AND a fresh set up too (bridge saddles may need to be raised just a bit).

I'm excited to see how it plays/sounds with flats !!! :hyper:
 
#62
Letting them soak in pure alcohol (ethanol) for 24 hours, then wiping them with a cloth, and letting the rest of the alcohol vaporize, is more effective.

All in all though neither will really bring the strings back to full live, and the refreshment of them won't last long.

I've personally found it is not really worth the trouble.

Invest in a set of stainless steel Nanoweb Elixir bass strings instead, those will stay fresh forever (not literally forever, but for many times that of normal uncoated strings, and the higher price easily earns it self home).
 
Last edited:
#65
I refresh my strings and get at least 5 rotations out of them. I've only had to throw a couple of sets away as beyond re-using.
I have 4 sets of brand new strings that I haven't needed to delve into yet.
 
#66
I used to boil strings back in the '80s when they were expensive and hard to come by (and I was a lowly dishwasher/prep cook). The method was elaborate, but easily completed in a single stoned Sunday morning.

First, I would drop them in boiling water for about 20 minutes.
I then would take them out and wipe them off as quickly as possible.
Then, I would spray them with WD-40.
The next part was the real magic: I made a jig out of a 2x4 and some 3/4 marine plywood I found in the boatyard scrap pile. I used some leftover West System and screws and bonded it together. I attached an old quick-release bridge and the tuners from a Matsomuka bass someone smashed.
After wiping and spraying the WD-40, I would put each string on it temporarily, tension it up, and snap the crap out of it (literally and figuratively) for a minute or so. Then take it off, and on to the next one.

It was shocking how much crud came out. I'd do it about once a month when I had regular gigs. Kept the same set of Ernie Ball going for a few years.
 
#68
This thread has.... 25 years !!!! A real vintage topic :smug:
I used to do it 15/20 years ago. But it was not very efficient. Never tried to get the best method. Just boiled them. Strings recovered a little bit of zing but not too long. (D'addario XL/EXL 220)
 
#69
I boiled strings a lot back in the 90's when I was poor. I could get several boiling sessions out of Dean Markley Blue Steels before they were completely dead. I could buy a new set of Blue Steels and get anywhere from 3-5 months out of them and I was gigging and practicing quite a bit in those days.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back