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Boiling your Bass Strings: bringing it back for 2013

#61
Have not boiled strings in hmmm....20+ years? I used to play a much lighter - brighter string (but even then if I did notice a difference - it was very short lived) . I have been playing flats for so long and they last for so long that I just make sure to clean them regularly. I only change strings now when I want to try a different sound. Been thinking about tapes...hmmm..time to visit bass strings on line....

My opinion - cleam them regularly and you should not have to spend time with strings in the boiler...give you back some practice time!
 
#62
petrus61 said:
I read the whole thread.
I can't change your mind and don't care to. To me, it is just plain common sense that you don't do this to a string if you want it to operate as it should. What method do you use to remove the residual moisture from underneath the strings outer wrap? If you think that has no bearing on the strings eventual condition and intonation, then you are in denial, plain and simple.
Click to expand...

You do realize, that people only boiled strings because they were dead and otherwise heading for the trash can. The purpose is to squeeze just a few more days of brightness until a new set could be found or afforded.

It's not as if they are taking a freshnew set and trying to improve upon them by some kind of reverse-jerry rigged anti-cryogenic process.

Of course doing this is bad for the strings health, but it's already dead you see?
 
#64
I used to boil my old strings way back when, now I use the soak method.

I use a square water tight plastic container, soak em in DA until need them,or change the strings on a different bass, and then soak them.

Oh, and the red silks on my fender nickle rounds are now grey:D
 
#66
MrLenny1 said:
I tried it several times, helped a little bit.
Dead strings are dead strings.
Clean them well after every gig IMHO.
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Not imo,
the strings after leaving them in 95% alcohol over nite brought them back to life.Havent tried boiling water.After seeing the mess of boiling on YT the after party is dirty, i wouldnt do it.
The alcohol works & is easy.Cleaning them after jams is very good also.
 
#71
afzoomie67 said:
Or you could just..buy some TI Flats from BSO and move on with your life.
Click to expand...

rollin$tone said:
Buy some flats and be done with it! The older they are, the better they sound!
Click to expand...

When one decide to boil or clean with denatured alcohol he/she do it with intention to get old string sound more like new. (and FLATS = DEAD NEW)

ALWAYS, when there is newcomer asking for advice how to liven up his strings, how to extend live of strings etc,... there are replies like "DUD JUST GET FLATS".
 
#72
miholc said:
When one decide to boil or clean with denatured alcohol he/she do it with intention to get old string sound more like new. (and FLATS = DEAD NEW)

ALWAYS, when there is newcomer asking for advice how to liven up his strings, how to extend live of strings etc,... there are replies like "DUD JUST GET FLATS".
Click to expand...
It's freaking annoying, too. Even some of my better friends on here do that, and after hanging out with me, they should know better ;)
 
#73
someone with a tumble washing machine should try using that. loop the strings as if they were in the package, twist tie them so that they don't come apart. Use a soap with enzymes in it. wash on "hot".
 
#74
The set I usually use costs almost 45 dollars around.

I boiled my strings in the past, but I have not been doing it for quite some time. That said I am currently dead broke and had to play a gig last night so I just did that on the weekend and everything was pretty cool.

Here is my boiling/cleaning process.
I add this industrial grade cleaning agent. After I am done I would wash the strings off so I make sure there is no cleaning agent(it tends to leave a residue) and after that it is straight to the freezer for 4-8 hours.

I know there is probably a lot of factors involved in the process but in my case the bigger the amount of cleaning agent I use the more the string seems to be revitalized. Same case with the freezer thing, the longer they stay in, the brighter they get. I tried the alcohol thing as well. The method described above is just as good cleaning the strings for sure.

Somehow I think that actually the most important factor is releasing the tension from the strings and keeping them clean.
 
#75
Holy crap. How is everybody missing this?

Oh yeah, I have strings in the freezer. I pull them off the chicken and take them to the coffee table. P bass comes out, strings go on. At this point I have no expectations other than now brittle strings that are only "mostly dead". I tune them up and...

Boom. They sound brand new. The grime dampened thump has now turned to piano thunder and clarity. This is unavoidably evident unplugged. Plugged into my Genz rig it is game over.
Click to expand...

Cryo treated strings, deep cryo treated strings

I must have. Everybody must have. Just like the audiophiles, crisper high's, beefier lows, more slam and better air on top.

I am going to try this. I'll put it right next to the next batch of CD's I freeze. Wait, boil the CD's first, yes!!

Seriously, I've tried alot of crazy stuff with strings, but not this. Got to try this one.
 
#76
Um.

1. You put new strings on the bass.

2. You tune them up. That means stretching them out.

3. The wire used for the outer wrap doesn't grow in diameter, so

4. when you stretch them, you are creating gaps in the wrap.

5. You play, squeezing dead skin, sweat, and oils into those gaps.

6. You take the string off, closing the gaps with the gunk trapped in the string.

7. You boil the string or wash it or whatever.

8. You now have COOKED human wastes trapped in your string.

9. If you believe strings containing cooked human wastes are as good as new, TB protocol requires I demand you post MP3s.

Otherwise, please, if you're gonna do it, do it. Boil the bass with tension on the strings.

(PS--Tune all the strings up an octave just to be sure. Heat expands metal and you don't want the gaps closing while the bass is boiling.)

(PPS--Your savings will be reduced by the cost of a can of WD-40, however your braggin' rights will be enhanced.)

(PPPS--This works for double basses, too, the strings being horribly expensive, but your savings will be reduced by the cost of glue and clamps.)
 
#77
kurosawa said:
6. You take the string off, closing the gaps with the gunk trapped in the string.

7. You boil the string or wash it or whatever.

8. You now have COOKED human wastes trapped in your string.
Click to expand...

I actually hadn't thought of it this way. That actually makes boiling sound like a dumber idea than I initially thought! I just thought the whole process itself was asinine. I think removing the strings does the most harm in itself, how ironic. Especially when new strings can be had for less than $15.
 
#79
The cooked human wastes cook out of the strings, but they definitely don't return to brand-new status. And assuming that they didn't, is cooked human wastes any worse than raw and fermenting human wastes?
 

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