I have used the neon green strings on my basses I used for my 80s cover band. They are perfect for that!
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Have you ever boiled your bass strings?
- Thread starter Rod Barchetta
- Start date
Hi Rodney.
Sure, you can boil your bass strings and I do it all the time and it works great. Actually I prefer newly boiled strings before brand new strings cause I find new strings to be too crispy and harsh. Boiled strings gets less of that so the sound often gets a little warmer than new strings. The result, of course, depends on how worn out your strings are, but most of the times boiling them bring them back to close to new.
I've done this for years now and it works great. Boil the strings in water for about 15 minutes, then take them out of the water and wipe them a little with toilet paper or something, Then, REMEMBER to dry them in your oven for 15 minutes on 100 degrees Celsius. Then, when theyre not warm, wipe them properly again. The oven method make them not to rust.
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if you want more details.
Regards Jamil, Denmark
Someone should do a legit analysis of how much power it takes to boil/bake strings, as well as time. Whatever people think the economic savings are of boiling strings, it's actually less. How much less? I don't know, but it would be interesting to see someone crunch the numbers.
I did this back in high school when i first started playing. I would do it to GHS Boomers to make them sound like they just came out of the package, but it would usually only last a number of days before they go dead again. I was really into slap bass at the time so was addicted to new string brightness. IMO it was not worth the effort. Nowadays i just wipe my strings down with a clean cloth every time i play and i buy strings sets that last a long time where i like the tone when settled in, like flatwounds or some of the DR's. Like others have said, a more effective way to clean is to just wipe them down with alcohol being careful not to spill on the bass finish or neck wood.
Well in Detroit area on a Saturday ...
Electricity is 4.8 cents kWH on my electric rate plan ( I rounded up to 5 cents/kWH)
sooooo
3000 watt large element top burner @ 30 minutes is 7.5 cents.
6000 watt Stove element @ 45 minutes is 22.5 cents
That is 30 cents in electricity on a Saturday afternoon. And you could throw a frozen pizza in there also --- so theoretically it is free and you don't go hungry.
Reading through this thread, I've seen alcohol mentioned, vinegar, and I don't remember what all else. Plus, you're pretending your time is worth nothing. Anyone who habitually boils their strings should also habitually babysit the process. I imagine there have been at least a few people who have managed to boil away all the water and ruin both the strings and the pan they used.
But you do you.
In the past 55 years I've never boiled or cleaned any set of strings. My strings (flats) usually last and sound the same for 4 - 5 years. Rounds last me and sound the same for 2 to 3 years. The bright zingy sound I think a lot of people want only lasts (for me) about two weeks when they are new. After that they sound pretty much the same. Here's a thought. I do setups for friends when I hear them complaining about how bad their bass sounds. Just finished one. The owner said he hadn't played it (Fender P-Bass) in several years because of how bad the strings sounded. I spent two weeks mostly getting the neck back where it should be. After resetting the intonation the strings sounded much nicer. The owner asked if I had put new strings on it and was surprised when I said no.
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I have no experience in flats....but my round all, no one excepted, after 4.-5 months start becaming bell sounding and after two months more like spaghetti....long lasting depends on how much one play, his chemical factor on pH of skin and of course the quality of the strings.
I reckon we are each 1 for 1! 
And, I actually have the turkey carcass boiling to make turkey soup.
And, I actually have the turkey carcass boiling to make turkey soup.
I never had trouble with dying strings! I have boiled my roundwound strings many many times. For the last 10 years I put them in the dishwasher, that is the most practical way to clean the strings!
I boil strings for about 10 minutes in a 2 quart pot of water. Were talking pennies in cost and no more time than it takes to order and unwrap a new set. Plus I don't have to cut them to size.
I have 8 basses. Buying new strings 2x/year is in the $400 range, never mind the admin time to purchase. Boiling is easier and far less costly in all aspects. No contest.
I have 8 basses. Buying new strings 2x/year is in the $400 range, never mind the admin time to purchase. Boiling is easier and far less costly in all aspects. No contest.
Forgot to suggest using Optima Gold Bass strings, they are almost forever. Check all string contact points/surfaces to be not sharp (to not break strings) - bridge plate holes (if strings through the body), saddles, nut, tuner shafts (use 2-3 turns around), string tree etc. All it must be right rounded and graphite oiled. Phenomenal materials and technology - no corrosion at all (even when relatively soft 24-carat gold is worn out), very slow mechanical wear, super precise calibrated/tuning. Being the best, dividing price on time - Optima Golds are the less expensive strings. The only to do with Optima strings is ultrasound cleaning time per time.
Some of my friends changed strings after 3 years, I asked why? They said: we do not know ! Looks like for pleasure 
