Deep Frying Strings?

[4-string]

so i heard someone say this in jest about a good way to kill a set of flatwounds.

You can't kill something that is dead already.

 

[bongomania]

I'm not sure about strings, but it works great for deadening effect pedals!

 

[Parabolic Box]

You may be right about the acidity... but I always thought that the dead sound comes from skins oils and normal oxidation. I was told at one point that keeping your instruments in a dry environment keeps the strings brighter because the damp air makes the strings oxidize more quickly. Of course keeping an instrument dry is a good idea for other reasons ... I thought that skin oils would get into the nooks and crannys and rob them of brighness...

Futher... my boss plays guitar and I am sure he doesn't mind kicking in a few dollars in HCL for little experiment. He was the one who suggested the liquid nitrogen!

We have an oven that bakes stuff at 900 Degrees Fahrenheit (approx 480 degrees Celsius for my European friends)...

Well, water and acids both have oxidizing effects on substances. And oils are not necessarily pH neutral (hence terms like 'fatty acids').

I also said it was one of the culprits, not the only one. Dragging your bass through the dirt will also kill the strings.

 

[GreggBummer]

I'm not sure about strings, but it works great for deadening effect pedals!

FUNNY!

 

[GreggBummer]

Well, water and acids both have oxidizing effects on substances. And oils are not necessarily pH neutral (hence terms like 'fatty acids').

Absolutely. However, certain acids are great metal cleaners. You just have to remove the acid completely after your done.

As far as skin oils go... I would imagine your pH would differ according to diet. enviroment, genetics, and so on. However, I doubt it would make a difference in how long your strings would last.

DISCLAIMER: I am not too cheap to buy new strings! I just like this science stuff....

 

[Parabolic Box]

DISCLAIMER: I am not too cheap to buy new strings! I just like this science stuff....

As do I. I enjoy looking at musical instruments on a more empirical level.

Music itself, however, I will leave to the mysteries of hokey voodoo.

To continue on with the acid discussion, I believe acid is used to clean metals which are, otherwise, very chemically stable. What they dissolve are built-up compounds and initial layers of oxides. Of course, it all depends on the nature of the acid, the metal, and what is desired to be removed. You can use acid to clean copper, and you can use it to dissolve it.

 

[walruswaspaul]

+1 on the oils being what breaks down the strings... hence why i'm thinking that boiling them in it would kill new strings and get rid of that unpleasant break-in period

I really don't think it would be neccessary to boil them in the oil , if you submerge the strings in oil that should be enough to deaden them

 

[Solarmist]

I can't wait for dinner with all these fabulous recipes!

 

[Dogbertday]

I really don't think it would be neccessary to boil them in the oil , if you submerge the strings in oil that should be enough to deaden them

see but boiling is so much more comical...

 

[bongomania]

...Just remember when you pour the boiling oil down over the heads of your enemies, as they climb the walls of your stronghold, to take the strings out first! Otherwise you've just given the enemy a free set of perfectly deadened strings.

 

[Lesfunk]

Stretch the crap outta them, then wipe the fingerboard with Pepperoni Pizza!

 

[Lord Black]

Subscribed!

 

[Blues Cat]

Cost of a barrel of Hydrochloric Acid: $100 (?)
Cost of deep fryer: $60
Cost of new Rotosound Strings: $20

Oh so you wanna take the cheap and easy route.

 

[colorblindbass]

i rub warm butter on my strings daily until i get my desired level of deadness.

(btw this thread is almost as good at the bee one haha )