Surgical gloves to save strings?

[markjazzbassist]

anthony jackson puts a new set on for every gig and studio session, what's the hold up?

 

[James Collins]

If anyone is seriously planning on using surgical gloves, you are going to want to get the Ortho type gloves. They will hold up longer.

 

[RickyWoo]

I would wear surgical gloves to do surgery on my bass strings, if required, but they're cheap these days.... I just toss 'em.

 

[MDBass]

For years I boiled them without drying them. Then I saw in Gary Willis' '101 Bass Tips' his recommendation to dry them in the oven on low after boiling.

The difference in how much longer they retained their brightness was dramatic.

My previous post saying that boiling without drying 'was a waste of time' was a bit of an an over statement.

I may give it a try, but I have to change strings every show when on tour anyway, regardless of if it was a brand new set or a recently boiled set to start with.

 

[RickyWoo]

I may give it a try, but I have to change strings every show when on tour anyway, regardless of if it was a brand new set or a recently boiled set to start with.

Why? (Out of curiosity)

 

[MDBass]

Why? (Out of curiosity)

Sweat + heavy right hand means they are totally dead after every show: most touring rock players do the same thing.. or rather, their techs do

 

[RickyWoo]

Sweat + heavy right hand means they are totally dead after every show: most touring rock players do the same thing.. or rather, their techs do

K. Just wondering. I don't do that so I figured I'd ask.

 

[alembicguy]

I just buy strings

 

[Member8675309]

Surgical gloves to save strings? What?

 

[XrisThaBassman]

If you wanted gloves, I'd try those ones that Scott from SBL uses. For me, I can't be bothered, I'm unhappy if my strings are too bright so I go a while between changes.

 

[Standalone]

People change their strings????

 

[ddnidd1]

I may give it a try, but I have to change strings every show when on tour anyway, regardless of if it was a brand new set or a recently boiled set to start with.

You should see a difference. However, if its at all feasible, try the denatured alcohol treatment. Its significantly better than any type of boiling.

 

[Biggbass]

wearing surgical gloves to extend string life? I must be missing something.

 

[Joma3]

Forget boiling strings to make them sound new again...how do I make my new strings sound like they're a couple months old?

 

[Acoop]

To safe them for what? ... Resale? ... Wash your hands before you play your instrument and let the rest be, is the best advice I can share.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Anyone here ever try surgical gloves to extend string life? I do suppose they'd have to be changed frequenyly because of friction & shredding

. Those black silk goves Mbappe wears look awfully loose---& don't they also shred & leave silk fibers?

Surgical gloves tend to grip as opposed to sliding. I’m sure it would take a while to get used to playing with them.

On a side bar, how many hours are you getting out of a set? If you are getting less than 100 hours, you may want look at your technique and lighten up. It might take you some time to adjust.

 

[aprod]

Here is your answer;

 

[BigBear77]

If you wanted gloves, I'd try those ones that Scott from SBL uses. For me, I can't be bothered, I'm unhappy if my strings are too bright so I go a while between changes.

Batters gloves may work. Or you can you lineman gloves (football) if you play heavy metal.

 

[diegom]

This reminds me of the VHS Rewinder:

My father (RIP) used to say: "Maybe we should use a B/W TV for daytime programming, so we save the Color for Prime Time..."


To the OP: I usually wash my hands before playing (side benefit: it warms them up!). Wipe the strings if I'm particularly sweaty. Wipe the strings again before packing up. As soon as they lose the sound I want, get a new set. Also, remember to wash the cloth you use to wipe the strings! No fabric softeners. Microfiber is the best.

Diego

 

[CatchaCuda]

Well, it's all been stated. Cleanliness is key to lasting strings.

Be carfeul with denatured alcohol, it's incredibly "spark in the other room will cause it's vapors to ignite explosively" flammable.

I'll admit to have boiled a few sets and was always amazed at how much dirt and whatnot was floating in the water afterward. They even sound better to boot.