Cameronj279 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I've never boiled a set of strings before as I generally use coated strings but I'm contemplating trying it with an old set of Payson strings I have but they have a plastic ball end (is that what that bits called?) Just wondering if this would cause an issue...I don't really want melted plastic in my pots. Cameron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 As long as there's water in the pan the plastic shouldn't melt, although I suppose it's possible the process might weaken the plastic in some way so that it becomes too brittle to anchor the string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburstjazz1967 Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Keep your balls out of the pan and they will be fine, are your balls or length particularly dirty at the balls end?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) Boiling strings, IMO, is a myth that just keeps propagating. I tried it in my younger days and it didn't work very well. Folks more experienced than I suggest that if anything it shortens the life of your strings. If you want to clean normal strings steep them in meths overnight (I coil them up as a set and put them in an old plastic haribo tub 3/4 filled with meths), dry and refit them. Not sure if this works for coated strings or not, but don't see why it wouldn't. Edited January 4, 2016 by Bigwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Chuck 'em in the dishwasher with everything else, they'll come out like new Disclaimer: Remove strings from guitar first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 My dishwasher is a sink (I'm old fashioned like that). I've never tried it previously partially cause I've heard it only revives them for a few days but my current strings are dead and I'm a bit skint really! I live a small flat and I can't say the girlfriend would be happy with the place smelling like methelated spirits. Wouldn't be great for my asthma either I imagine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 [quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1451923309' post='2944626'] My dishwasher is a sink (I'm old fashioned like that). I've never tried it previously partially cause I've heard it only revives them for a few days but my current strings are dead and I'm a bit skint really! I live a small flat and I can't say the girlfriend would be happy with the place smelling like methelated spirits. Wouldn't be great for my asthma either I imagine! [/quote] Afix a lid on the methylated spirits with strings in container. Job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Meths works much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 You could try this before taking them off and boiling them in water (which I have done, with the plastic ball ends and you do get a bit of life back, the plastic doesn't melt but it can become brittle - note I also added some white vinegar too). http://youtu.be/s8OYeN9mAL4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1451924937' post='2944641'] You could try this before taking them off and boiling them in water (which I have done, with the plastic ball ends and you do get a bit of life back, the plastic doesn't melt but it can become brittle - note I also added some white vinegar too). [/quote] Quite impressive. Gotta love a bit of MarloweDK. Nice post - thanks. Now, if slapping the sh*t out of my strings makes them brighter should i do the same to my kids... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I tried boiling once but it wasn't effective for long- I just use cheapie strings instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I wouldn't boil coated strings. Or strings with any plastic due too how much tension will be on it could make reliability a issue. Boiling strings does work it varies. I find rounds last forever with me anyhow and I hate bright strings so now only use flats. If you like fresh strings, The strings direct own brand are cheap and rumour has it made by rotosound when I used rounds I found them decent enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Strings go dead when the gunk and crud from your fingers gets into the winds and inhibits the free vibration of the string. Boiling and meths breaks down that crud and cleans the crap out giving you something approaching a new string sound. For coated strings, the only ones I found any use at all were Elixirs. They're the only one who coat the string as a whole and own that idea, as far as I'm aware. The rest coat the outer layer of wire and are essentially useless, in my experience - certainly D'Addario snd Warwick's were- as they don't stop the string absorbing crud. I don't see the logic in trying to boil a coated sring. If the coating has been compromised boiling isn't going to put it back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I used to boil strings all the time as a youngster when I was playing in slappy tappy new metal bands and wanted fresh strings for every gig / rehearsal... sadly I spent most of my money on weed at the time so had to make do with boiling my strings up instead of buying new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 This is what I did, works a treat: - http://www.studybass.com/gear/bass-strings/bass-string-cleaning-tube/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1451996354' post='2945278'] This is what I did, works a treat: - [url="http://www.studybass.com/gear/bass-strings/bass-string-cleaning-tube/"]http://www.studybass...-cleaning-tube/[/url] [/quote] Agreed. This is the best way to clean strings. I never really favoured boiling strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1451982694' post='2945122'] I wouldn't boil coated strings. Or strings with any plastic due too how much tension will be on it could make reliability a issue. Boiling strings does work it varies. I find rounds last forever with me anyhow and I hate bright strings so now only use flats. If you like fresh strings, The strings direct own brand are cheap and rumour has it made by rotosound when I used rounds I found them decent enough. [/quote] I find that Rotosounds are basically dead the moment they come out of the packet (every ones I've tried have been that way at least. Chances are they wouldn't fit on the Dingwall unfortunately. I use Elixirs on my other bass and have no issues with how long they last (ages) but find any other brand is dying within a month. [quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1451983327' post='2945134'] For coated strings, the only ones I found any use at all were Elixirs. I don't see the logic in trying to boil a coated sring. If the coating has been compromised boiling isn't going to put it back together. [/quote] I agree. I've tried a lot of different string types and eventually settled on Elixirs as they just keep on going. I wouldn't try boiling them as I imagine the coating wouldn't like it but mostly because there isn't really any need to! I've boiled the strings earlier (Payson Stainless Steels) and they actually sound good as new at the moment. I'm sceptical of how long they will be that way though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues Cat Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 [quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1451916358' post='2944527'] I've never boiled a set of strings before as I generally use coated strings but I'm contemplating trying it with an old set of Payson strings I have but they have a plastic ball end (is that what that bits called?) Just wondering if this would cause an issue...I don't really want melted plastic in my pots. Cameron [/quote] You've got the ball end nomenclature correct, but my ball ends are Stainless Steel. Payson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 if you're gonna boil your strings, either wrap the ball in ducktape or keep the ball out the pan (it's probably clean at that end of the string). Next time you have a little money for strings, try flatwounds. They don't suffer from this issue. Though they don't sound like roundwounds either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Another for using meths overnight. Boiling strings does not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1451921296' post='2944604'] Boiling strings, IMO, is a myth that just keeps propagating. I tried it in my younger days and it didn't work very well. Folks more experienced than I suggest that if anything it shortens the life of your strings. [/quote] That's what I think too. Boiling the strings may clean them, It won't fix the strings where they've got hammered and ground against the frets. Edited February 14, 2016 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1455441935' post='2979038'] Next time you have a little money for strings, try flatwounds. They don't suffer from this issue. Though they don't sound like roundwounds either. [/quote] Yeah...the reason I was boiling them was because they sounded like flats instead of rounds. The moment a string loses its zing I feel the need to replace it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colgraff Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) I used to used a mixture of boiled water and white vinegar when young. That freshened them up nicely for a while. Less flammable than meths, too! Edited February 14, 2016 by colgraff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1455467238' post='2979327'] Boiling the strings may clean them, It won't fix the strings where they've got hammered and ground against the frets. [/quote] Agreed..plus as the inner core is steel, even if you [i]think[/i] you have allowed them ample time to dry off, they are still prone to rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colgraff Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1455468487' post='2979338'] Agreed..plus as the inner core is steel, even if you [i]think[/i] you have allowed them ample time to dry off, they are still prone to rust. [/quote] Good point, I used to peg mine on the washing line for a full sunny day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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