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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 12:41 pm
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The bass player in an old band used to do this with his bass strings.

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:36 pm
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I know Bass players that used to boil strings, but mostly because they were expensive. Personally for me, it's not worth the hassle. Strings are pretty cheap and I just consider it one of the prices to pay for playing guitar.

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:37 pm
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Tochai wrote:
This may sounds obvious, but there's a lot to be said for washing your hands before playing.



+1,000

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 6:15 pm
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This may sound obvious but I just throw them away and replace them.

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:53 pm
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I've heard about that technique before, I never tried it and probably never will. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:30 pm
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Boiling strings is a temporary solution and is not suitable for all types of strings. Certain strings, TI Jazz Flats for instance, have a silk wrap layer between the core and the outer winding. Boiling water and silk is a recipe for disaster. Water in general is bad for strings anyway and boiling might get you through tomorrow night's gig but not one next week.

Instead, as someone previously mentioned, alcohol is the best way to clean them. Particularly DENATURED alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is diluted with water, so don't use that stuff either.

If you want to extend the life of strings using a process that doesn't ruin them check out this link. I've done this and it works well.

http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_string_cleaning_tube.html

NOTE: Denatured alcohol is as flammable as raw moonshine and contains no water. Store the cleaning tube outdoors if you can and avoid any sort of flame or sparks when you have the cap off the tube.

This method seems especially effective on stainless steel strings. Using this method they are like new.

Wiping down the strings after every use is a great idea and easily doubles string life in my experience. Another great idea is washing up before playing.

There are other reasons to wash up before playing, including the carcinogenic materials used in some instrument and electrical cables. I set up, wash up, play, wipe down strings and instrument hardware, pack up and finally wash up again. This routine is easy and a very good habit to get into.


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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 6:19 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Another great idea is washing up before playing. There are other reasons to wash up before playing, including the carcinogenic materials used in some instrument and electrical cables. I set up, wash up, play, wipe down strings and instrument hardware, pack up and finally wash up again. This routine is easy and a very good habit to get into.

Wow! That's a new one. In my life, scrubbing for surgery was preparation for performance. But that was to protect the patient from me. Now it's both ways. Gloving protected me from the patient as well.[HIV, Hepatitis B]. Never tried to play guitar wearing surgical gloves. But there's always a first time. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 8:16 am
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Your dad has the funds for strings. We've seen your personal studio and gear in the basement.


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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:56 am
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I've never boiled strings, but my understanding of the concept in the early 80's was that boiling "new" strings was supposed to temper the strings by expanding the metal. This was supposed to reduce or eliminate the strings from stretching and going out of tune.

I imagine that this would only make a new pair of strings sound like an old pair of strings.

If you are looking for strings that will sound good for an extended period of time, use Elixir Nanoweb strings.
They cost a little more, but are well worth it.


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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:54 pm
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MickJagger wrote:
I've never boiled strings, but my understanding of the concept in the early 80's was that boiling "new" strings was supposed to temper the strings by expanding the metal. This was supposed to reduce or eliminate the strings from stretching and going out of tune.


Same people that said that think that amps that go to 11 are louder. Very bad info. The worst.


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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 4:34 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Same people that said that think that amps that go to 11 are louder. Very bad info. The worst.

Wasn't that mod first introduced by 'Spinal Tap'??

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:31 am
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Considering that 1 is actually zero volume, that means that 11 is, umm.....yeah. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:40 am
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MickJagger wrote:
I've never boiled strings, but my understanding of the concept in the early 80's was that boiling "new" strings was supposed to temper the strings by expanding the metal. This was supposed to reduce or eliminate the strings from stretching and going out of tune.


As opposed to the even hotter temperature when they're extruded and wound?
In my opinion, this has as much validity to it as using green markers on the edge of CDs, or chewing cloves against tinnitus.

The string treaters don't even agree whether heat is good or bad - you can even buy strings that are cryogenically treated.

As for old strings, I'm sure you can wash off a lot of crud, and get them better. But strings being so cheap anyhow, is it worth your time and effort and electricity/gas costs? And is it worth risking a re-used string snapping when you need it the most?
If a fellow player is that hard down, I'll let him bum a set of strings from me.


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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:27 am
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You can't temper steel with boiling water. You need much higher temperatures. It's all just BS. Strings are cheap enough. When I was gigging full tilt, I changed them every week. Also, taking the strings off will weaken the string at the top. I know a guy that was in prison that used baby powder. I've only known bass players that boiled strings and most of them said it wasn't worth the effort. Just wash you hands before you play. That was the best advise that was given here. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: boiling strings
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:27 am
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63supro wrote:
Just wash you hands before you play. That was the best advise that was given here. :wink:

Apropos: Sometimes I use liquid band aid if a callus hurts too much. It works great for the fingers, but not for strings. It appears to react with the iron, and I quickly get black fingers and black powder on the fretboard. Still, strings are cheap, so I prefer that over fingers hurting!


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