This String-Boiling Malarky...

[Hot Tub]

Mrs HT got me a new set of Rotosounds to put on my 5-string, but being a Scotsman (and, therefor, a tight git), I decided to keep the new ones for a while and have a go at boiling the old ones.

So, large pan full of boiling water on the cooker; cut open one of those laundry liquid sachets (they look like small pillows) and empty the contents into the pan; loosely coil up the strings and in they go. Left them boiling away for about 15 minutes, then a good rinse in cold running water and pop 'em over a radiator to dry.

Meanwhile, I gave the bass a good clean. Dunlop 65 guitar cleaner and lemon oil which comes in a little kit with a couple of good cloths. The body came up a treat with the cleaner, and the difference the lemon oil made to the fret board is - quite frankly - amazing! Then I decided to clean the frets which were looking decidedly grubby compared to the rest of the now gleaming instrument.

I got a new kitchen Brillo pad and rinsed all the pink soapy stuff out of it. Now the clever bit; fold a piece of cardboard (shiny printed stuff seemed to work best) and make the crease pretty "sharp". Then I cut a tiny strip off the crease. When it's opened out again there's a long thin hole in the card. I laid this over the fret I was cleaning and it's perfect for protecting the fretboard from the steel wool. The frets are now immaculate! A bit more lemon oil and job done.

Popped the dry strings back on, and WOW! It really is like a new set of strings!

In fact, it's like having a brand new instrument!

[hillbilly deluxe]

It does work,i have done it loads of times,BUT,in a week or two they will be back to the state they were in before you boiled them.
There is a thread ? or a link ? on here somewhere about how to do it more effectively by soaking them overnight in methylated spirits ? if i recall.Plus the boiling makes the string wraps go fluffy.

Edited February 11, 2010 by hillbilly deluxe

[JTUK]

always used meths and this doesn't leave any residue. If you are really careful you can keep strings going for years like this. I have only recently bought new strings for newly aquired basses. Pleased to see that the prices are what they were 15 years ago.

[MIJ-VI]

[quote name='Hot Tub' post='741810' date='Feb 11 2010, 05:49 AM']Mrs HT got me a new set of Rotosounds to put on my 5-string, but being a Scotsman (and, therefor, a tight git), I decided to keep the new ones for a while and have a go at boiling the old ones.

So, large pan full of boiling water on the cooker; cut open one of those laundry liquid sachets (they look like small pillows) and empty the contents into the pan; loosely coil up the strings and in they go. Left them boiling away for about 15 minutes, then a good rinse in cold running water and pop 'em over a radiator to dry.

Meanwhile, I gave the bass a good clean. Dunlop 65 guitar cleaner and lemon oil which comes in a little kit with a couple of good cloths. The body came up a treat with the cleaner, and the difference the lemon oil made to the fret board is - quite frankly - amazing! Then I decided to clean the frets which were looking decidedly grubby compared to the rest of the now gleaming instrument.

I got a new kitchen Brillo pad and rinsed all the pink soapy stuff out of it. Now the clever bit; fold a piece of cardboard (shiny printed stuff seemed to work best) and make the crease pretty "sharp". Then I cut a tiny strip off the crease. When it's opened out again there's a long thin hole in the card. I laid this over the fret I was cleaning and it's perfect for protecting the fretboard from the steel wool. The frets are now immaculate! A bit more lemon oil and job done.

Popped the dry strings back on, and WOW! It really is like a new set of strings!

In fact, it's like having a brand new instrument!

[/quote]

Alternate approach: [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/how_to_clean_bass_strings.html"]How to clean bass strings.[/url]

Re using steel wool:

Doing so will shed tiny bits of steel wool thus it's a good idea to cover the pickups and input jack with masking tape first.

[Hot Tub]

[quote name='MIJ-VI' post='741896' date='Feb 11 2010, 11:57 AM']Alternate approach: [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/how_to_clean_bass_strings.html"]How to clean bass strings.[/url]

Re using steel wool:

Doing so will shed tiny bits of steel wool thus it's a good idea to cover the pickups and input jack with masking tape first.[/quote]


Ooooh, that's a handy site!

[51m0n]

+1 for the meths tube, my strings are on permanent rotation between being in the tube or on a bass, I have sets that are very old (by my standards anything over a month is old, some of mine are a couple of years old and going still strong using this method).

I'd recommend DR Lo-riders as the best I've found for long life with this method, they come back really strong for a good month before needing swapping, I find Hi-Beams last a shorter time personally.

[skankdelvar]

Or you could buy Elixirs and save all the faffing around. Good for years.

Nice that the bass has come up all Alpine fresh and full of wholesome goodness. Enjoy.

[4 Strings]

Boiling was the only alternative for me years ago, to the mirth of the other band members. Still do, still is. And, yes, no substitute for new strings but saves a fortune.

There's a move to rediscover flats, with much worship of sounds used by Jamerson, McCartney which I remember trying avoid. (More of an Entwhistle sound for me) and so dull strings may be more relevant nowadays.

However, you are braver than I in taking steel wool to the frets, even in your innovative manner. I just use a bit of metal polish (very little, they are, after all, very thin!) to take the muck off without scratching them. Its only aesthetic so I rarely bother.

[Mr. Foxen]

Model railway track cleaner for the fret polish, sandwich box of meths for the strings.

Necessary when you use stupid heavy custom newtone strings.

[Pete Academy]

I used to put my strings in the dishwasher. Worked a treat.

[Marvin]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='742182' date='Feb 11 2010, 03:31 PM']I used to put my strings in the dishwasher. Worked a treat.[/quote]
We don't have a dishwasher so I tried putting mine in the washing machine. Wife would have none of it. Women they're so protective about some things

[JTUK]

If you are careful with getting the strings on and off and don't play too hard on them, I think you rotate a few sets for years.
I have only every broken about 3 strings ever and two of them were when I just started and tightened them up too much....

You can keep this rotation going for years... I honestly don't think I have bought a set in 10 years or so, until recently because of new basses.
I have a box of hi beams - probably about 6-8 sets or so- and just pull out a set that look like they could do with a rinse ( overnight soak for 24 hours-ish and let them drip dry )
I don't have the strings on the bass more than about a month..or whenever you hear them going off, whichever is the sooner.