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Cleaning Flatwounds

#41
I found that Cobalts in particular got some sort of buildup on the strings, likely due to the metal used. So i moved away from them pretty quickly. With flats like Chromes and TI, i find just using a dry cloth after each playing session is enough to keep them clean generally, and that they are less likely to get "dirty" compared to Cobalts. Food for thought.
 
#43
+1 for the fast fret stuff. I currently have the Music Nomad String Fuel. I use it before every gig. Wipe the strings with the applicator side, then clean the excess with the little polishing cloth. Makes the strings feel real nice under the fingers, and haven't noticed any funky smells on any of my basses. And then I always wipe down my strings and neck with a different cloth after each gig. If I'm playing an outdoor gig or get really sweaty, I might use the string fuel again because I've had some times on tour where the string got sticky and nasty from doing outdoor shows in the sun every day.
 
#44
Bruce Babbit used to boil his strings in lemon juice. I like the idea of using a garbage bag to cover the fretboard, start with Dawn in hot water on a sponge, loosen the strings enough to get the sponge under the strings. This will get rid of oils and gunk. Follow it up with a couple of similar passes of cheap vodka on a rag. I would use Absolut, because it tastes just like rubbing alcohol. I wouldnt use isopropyl because it is toxic, and you shouldn’t drink it, and there is no reason to have alcohol that you cant drink.
 
#46
ThomasTronics said:
This has probably been brought up many times but i couldn't find anything recent.
My Pbass has cobalt flats for a few years and i love them but they are stinky. Like i have to wash my hands after.
What can i do to clean them? I don't want to buy new strings. Just want to clean the smell off.

Yes i know, wipe the strings after play and play with clean hands but I'm passed that right now.

Help me remove the stench.
Click to expand...

Stinky strings??? Are you sure it's the strings? What else could it be? :cigar::poop:
 
#49
bigdaddybass12 said:
It doesn’t dry out more like oxidize.
Like all iron-containing metallic objects, guitar strings corrode when exposed to moisture. Even in small amounts, moisture triggers a chemical reaction, known as oxidation, which converts iron into a new, weaker metal: rust. Because of this reaction, the once-strong strings become easier to break.
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I know what oxidation is. That has absolutely no relationship to "drying out". That comment makes no sense whatsoever
 
#51
I'm not sure if American humour, I'm Australian, and having visited your fair country, a few times, I have been struck (& pleasantly amused) at cultural differences/ dry Humour / & differing use of English language.
Ozzie 's have our own idiosyncrasies, in behaviour/language/humour, & so do U guys , Americans ( in Oz-speak Yanks or Septic Tanks , both terms on endearment)
I really enjoy "d banter" that goes back & forth on TB.. Cracks me up !
 
#53
Ostie said:
I tried boiling back when I was a starving student and musician. It wasn’t worth the effort. I’m not starving now. If I’m gonna go to the effort of taking them off, I’m just gonna replace with new ones.
Click to expand...
BUT, ,, isn't it written on stone tablets in Hardrock Cafe
" Thou shalt NOT change flats on thou bass" a bit like hardcore bikers that WON'T ever wash , let alone remove, their oily, old 501's?
 

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