How do you clean your strings?

I've never tried to clean a set of string in my 11 years playing. I just leave them on until I don't like the way they sound of one of them breaks (must be on the bass for at least a month or I'll just replace the one string).

 

GHS Fast Fret before and after playing. Helps
prolong string tone considerably, plus you don't
have to remove the strings from your bass, which
means you won't be stretching your strings.
Detuning a string and then bringing it back
up to pitch is the worst thing that can be
done to a string.

 

GHS Fast Fret works for me too.

 

I dont really clean them/ Occasionally ill just wipe em down with a wet rag.

 

I voted other. I usually wipe them with a good polish cloth before and after playing, does the job well.

 

I do the same and I also purchase strings by the case, so I always have a new set when they lose their tone!

Treena

 

Why is that? Does it affect the sound?

 

I think doing that loses the brightness of the strings. I've never actually done that before but stretching a string, detuning it again and then stretching it back again, the strings are bound to lose its tone. I'm just speculating though.

 

Except I do it just over night.

 

Can I put the strings in ethanol? and If I do it overnight , what should I do to the neck? its not good to a neck being without strings...

 

ok , tkx m8

 

Hi,

I boil my strings. Put them in water, add dish washing liquid and let boil for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Drawback: Some strings tend to break.

My schedule is about 4 month on a fresh string, cleaning with Fast Frest occasionally.

After boiling I have another month.

Wolfram

 

Thanks slugworth! Scientist or not, you obviously know more about than me. I'll keep it in mind as long as my wallet allows it

 

I'll second that!

 

I never have strings around long enough to need to clean em . They always break.

 

I had done it becuase there had to be a truss rod adjustment. I turned it slowly up making sure winds were going down, and i hear a crack and i twist it a bit more and it snaped all of the way off. Ah well, it was on my 20 year old bass with 20 year old strings- i think it was in need of some TLC