Conditioning new strings

[babsobass]

Update: Thanks everyone for the advice. Used isopropyl alcohol on the strings, carefully. Couldn't believe the gray crap that came off. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised because I could feel it there before I cleaned them. Anyway, the strings are now silky smoove and slippery. I'll be using the new strings and new bass for a gig tonight.

On a side note, I have another P that has the same 9050ML strings that are about 3 years or so old now. This bass has been my number one so they have a lot of play time. I forgot how bright the Fender flats are when new. A couple of our songs actually benefit from the brighter sound, but I'll be glad when the new ones break in. And that begins tonight.

 

[fhm555]

Do yourself a favor and bite the bullet for a pint of denatured alcohol. The stuff you get at your local drug store chains and big box places contain water, and even a little water can reduce string life. Denatured alcohol contains no water so it evaporates quickly and completely if you don’t get it all wiped off. For best results, wipe your strings down before installation to allow for a flood of liquid without risking your finish. You have to loosen the residue and wash it away. A little loosens it but does not flush it, a saturated rag made from an old T shirt will loosen and carry the junk away, a lightly dampened rag will simply relocate the gunk to a different place on the string.
Some would say denatured is overkill. I’m not one of them. The devil is in the details and zero water on new strings cannot be a bad thing. I’ll be putting enough crud and caustic moisture on them when I play, so no need to give potential rust a point of entry before you pluck them the first time.

 

[skycruiser]

Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats will give those 2 a run for their money. Not only sticky but will turn your hand Black and leave goop all over Bass.

Never seen this. Great strings in my experience, no mess.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Don't forget to send a bill to Fender for finishing up the manufacturing process. Expect a 1099.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Um, no. You need to watch a few tutorials by luthiers. None I've watched says to use rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) on fingerboards. At least one stresses not to use it on fingerboards. Alcohol on strings, lemon oil on bare fingerboards. And no, guitar lemon oil is not made from lemons.

Oh, and lemon oil is just over priced mineral oil with additives to make it smell good. But, they also dry out your board. Just like shampoo with your hair.

Just use oil. It's cheaper, comes in larger containers, and works better/longer.