Flatwound String Maintenance

[Shanty]

I just got my first fretless, and reading this I'm glad I won't ever have to really replace them. Wasn't too sure on how long they lasted. Thanks. I am about to try the denatured alcohol thing on my roundwounds, though. Seems much better than boiling, cause y'know, dipping metal in water is a dumb idea.

 

[rodl2005]

IMO/IME etc....... It makes sense to use the 'alky-hole' method on roundwounds- IF you like the 'new-ish' tone of them & get sweaty hands etc.
I've found it saves me 3 or more sets of strings, & therefore the COST of 3 or 4 sets, simply by dropping them in a small bucket (with a decent sealable lid) of 'alky-hole' & removing 'em after 24 hrs. Easy-peasy!

Flats- sure I clean the sweat of my bass, but don't worry about the strings.

 

[roger winkler]

I usually wipe off the sweat from the whole instrument....especially the fretboard. Other than that I just leave them alone. The flats I have on my basses now are around 3 or 4 years old and sound great!!

 

[Floyd Eye]

Huh? Maintenance? Unnecessary.

 

[THORRR]

I guess I'm lucky that my hands aren't oily and don't sweat when I'm playing. So my strings last as long as I want to keep them.

But I know guys with salty sweaty hands that wreck strings and finishes with a salty corrosive residue. Big difference.

They need to be seriously wiping down and lubricating their strings to prevent corrosion.

I get by with just a quick wipe with a soft towel after each performance, just as a formality.

 

[P. Bass]

I have been playing P w/flats forever & I have always kept them clean so they feel slippery & silky. I pinch the string with wet spot of rubbing alcohol on a cloth & run the length a few times, maybe once a week. This is a little trick I learned from my father who is an accomplished violinist. Orchestral string players do that on the portion over the F.B. where there is no rosin.
Dirt & grease is for BBQ grills.
B.

 

[lowendfriend]

I use those handy little packets of rubbing alcohol with a little cotton pad inside. Diabetics use these for sterilizing test gear.

I think a monthly wipe makes the pluck more repeatable or consistent IME.

 

[P. Bass]

I use those handy little packets of rubbing alcohol with a little cotton pad inside. Diabetics use these for sterilizing test gear......

Perfect !
B.

 

[aus_bass]

The Chromes on my Jazz have just reached two years old. Apart from the occasional wipe down with a dry rag, they haven't been touched (apart from playing). They feel as good as new. Can't see myself ever changing them.

 

[60bass]

I use those handy little packets of rubbing alcohol with a little cotton pad inside. Diabetics use these for sterilizing test gear.

I think a monthly wipe makes the pluck more repeatable or consistent IME.

Same here except I use Roto's so I clean after each gig so I can keep that bite and growl as long as possible. I've also boiled the used sets in baking soda and water for about three minutes, rinse, wipe off and hang em up to dry. Works OK to refresh a set.

Keep Low

 

[P. Bass]

I just noticed that there are 4 of us "senior citizens" gettin' right into talkin' flats here. COOL!
B.

 

[bassbully]

Hummm..the only alcohol that has touched my strings is what I dribble out of my mouth and down on my bass and strings during a gig. Does that count?

 

[mccartneyman]

I went from 1965 to 1971 without changing or cleaning the LaBella flats that came on the used '59 P bass I bought when I was in high school. Then Rotosounds came along and suddenly I had to boil my strings every few weeks. My hands don't sweat and I play so little now that I never clean any of my strings. Last set of TI flats lasted five years on three basses.

 

[fretlessguy]

Wipe them off after playing and don't worry about it.

 

[Ron G]

Well I broke down and changed strings, I didn't like the feel of Chromes so I put a set of GHS Precision Flatwound and they feel and sound great. Now how long can I keep them on my first goal Dec 2011.