I put them in a mason jar and soak them in denatured alcohol for a day or two. Works wonders. It only works a time or two. Don't use isopropyl because it contains water.
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Do dirty strings cause drag? What's the solution outside of new strings?
- Thread starter BusyFingers
- Start date
Although this thread is really old dating back 3 months (sic) I'd like to offer this link to you
Bass Strings | Bass Gear | StudyBass
It has advice on how to clean strings and why not to boil them.
Boiling strings has always seemed like a lot more trouble than dropping 20 bucks on a set of new ones (which you are ultimately going to do anyway).
Strings are perishables. They don't - and aren't designed to - last forever.
Boiling or soaking in alcohol will 'renew' them for a short time, but it can't turn back time. Metal corrodes, wears and fatigues. Strings need to be replaced. Keeping them clean while you use them will certainly help to prolong their life, but there are other variables - humidity where you live, how hard you play, how acidic your sweat is - that can't be controlled. Most experienced players will agree that boiling or soaking is a last-resort sort of solution.
I'm glad boiling those strings allowed you to get a little more life out of those strings, but the others here aren't trying to beat you up with their advice - it's just that a new set of strings is still going to sound and intonate better and your time is worth something, too. In other words, it was meant as helpful advice.
Boiling or soaking in alcohol will 'renew' them for a short time, but it can't turn back time. Metal corrodes, wears and fatigues. Strings need to be replaced. Keeping them clean while you use them will certainly help to prolong their life, but there are other variables - humidity where you live, how hard you play, how acidic your sweat is - that can't be controlled. Most experienced players will agree that boiling or soaking is a last-resort sort of solution.
I'm glad boiling those strings allowed you to get a little more life out of those strings, but the others here aren't trying to beat you up with their advice - it's just that a new set of strings is still going to sound and intonate better and your time is worth something, too. In other words, it was meant as helpful advice.
Soak in denatured alcohol for 24-48 hours, it works way better than boiling, and does not damage strings the way extreme heat and water do. It also is easier on the silks.
Or try elixer or cleartone strings, the coating prevents the crud from getting in. Elixirs are the longest lasting strings I have ever tried.
The freezing thing doesn't sit well with me, making metal go from 0f-212f instantly just sounds like a recipe for disaster. Your strings will be dead again in days. Alcohol soak is a much better method.
Or try elixer or cleartone strings, the coating prevents the crud from getting in. Elixirs are the longest lasting strings I have ever tried.
The freezing thing doesn't sit well with me, making metal go from 0f-212f instantly just sounds like a recipe for disaster. Your strings will be dead again in days. Alcohol soak is a much better method.
You can do all kinds of things to try to keep strings clean and free of oils and dead skin that comes off of your hands. Personally I just prefer buying new strings. I've tried pretty much everything. The time wasted isn't worth the money saved IMO. You can buy strings super cheap online these days. Many sites sell them in bulk now. Also if I'm super broke for some reason (xmas, had to buy new tires or whatever) I'll just put a set on a credit card.
where do you get good strings for $20?
I have ten basses that range from 35" to 30". 2 are fretless, 2 are 5 string, 3 are A/E and one is an 8 string.
GC is a total waste of time to drive to buy strings most of the time so I tend to order from the places listed below. The lower priced strings on all of these sites, unless they are on sale, are mostly strings I would not buy. I am all for saving money so if you can recommend a good set of strings for $20 I'd appreciate it if you could hook me up.
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Welcome to Bass Strings Online - A Bass Store for Bass Players!
Bass Guitar Strings | Strings and Beyond
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new ( to you ) bass = new strings always
i won't play someone else's gunk ... ever .. !
when i get my new strings on ... i use Music Nomad ' String Fuel ' to help protect them ..
i won't play someone else's gunk ... ever .. !
when i get my new strings on ... i use Music Nomad ' String Fuel ' to help protect them ..
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I'd also like to add that OP did not mention anything about "good" strings. On my basses that use rounds, I use Super Brights. On my basses that use flats, I use Chromes (granted, they are 4.99 over my 20 dollar comment):
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The owner of Welcome to Bass Strings Online - A Bass Store for Bass Players! is a TB member. He gives VIP access to TB members, but I cannot recall his TB user name. Someone will undoubtedly chime in shortly.
If you can't afford new strings then clean 'em up with 99% isopropanol, available at any drug store. All the others have far too much water in them.
At the very least it'll get the last owner's lipids/DNA off the strings.
At the very least it'll get the last owner's lipids/DNA off the strings.
fwiw, whenever i buy a used bass, i perform a making-it-mine ritual.
1. wipe it down with gerlitz smudge-off--neck and body.
2. oil a rosewood board with planet waves hydrate.
3. restring.
hey, it just feels better to me after i do that.
1. wipe it down with gerlitz smudge-off--neck and body.
2. oil a rosewood board with planet waves hydrate.
3. restring.
hey, it just feels better to me after i do that.
For the most part, yes. If you play punk or modern rock, they are freakin' perfect. (And they are on sale!)
Depends on your definition of "good." I've used Webstrings for well over a decade, happy as anything with them, 100+ gigs a year. A pile less than going to GC or the like and I've noticed no difference between them and what I used to buy. Your mileage may vary, but for 14 bucks, it's worth a try.
Boiling strings does not replace the metal worn off or the indentations from the frets into the outer windings with hex core strings. That said a good long soak in Denatured alcohol has worked well for me in the past. Followed by whipping them against a towel on the floor/counter to shake loose the rest of the gunk.
No offense here op, but why did you even bother to post the thread when by the second response you were already cooking?
If they are round wound and you never clean them, they eventually evolve into flats. 
