Stop me....

[Rokket]

I can't get a new set of bass strings because they are very hard to come by here in Olongapo. I will have to either order them online (don't trust that I will get them) or wait until I go back to work and hope I find the time to buy a new set.

So I am thinking about boiling them. I've never done it, so I don't know how long, or if you put anything in the water with them, and I may end up doing more harm than good.

Can someone who has done this advise me? Or just tell me to wait. Of course, this means that I am not tracking anything until I get new strings. I've already had to wait almost 6 months to get home to a disassembled studio and a flooded basement.

Oh hell... it's not my year.

Tell me about boiling bass strings...?

[ocnor]

Someone should contact" Mythbusters" to debunk the "boiling strings" myth. It does nothing to the strings other than remove a little dirt. You would be better off cleaning the strings really good with an old toothbrush and some rubbing alcohol.

[BuzzHaze]

I used to use WD-40 on dead bass strings. It works. Place a towel under the strings and hit them pretty good with WD, then wipe them down with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth. Try not to get it on your fretboard. I slide the towel to different spots and keep spraying until no more black gunk comes out.

Brings em' back to life

[Chili]

I boiled guitar strings once. It was not good. Can't remember what happened to them. I just know I'll never try it again.

If you want, I can buy you a set of strings and mail them to you.... PM me if you're interested.

Cheers,

[COOLCAT]

I think the brush or steel wool works best...

the boiling is probably just for heat, which will breakdown the "gunk" thats hardened like an old plate with dried Ketchup on it.
Heat softens the dried "gunk" up, but a good brush job is probably more productive.

I've boiled them before, never tried WD40 but that shouldn't hurt and might prevent rust? It can keep the strings going a bit longer...imo

[Rokket]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll just see what I can do about getting them cleaned up. I do have some WD40 sitting around, but no alcohol (other than beer ).

Chili -- where I am at, I doubt that they would arrive in the mail, that's why I won't order them online. I love where I am at, but just like anywhere else in the world, there is some corruption. Unfortunately, the mail system is a part of it...

[Corndog]

All it does is remove gunk and oil...on NICKEL strings. Stainless I used to soak in acetone. Don't boil them...they end up worse.
Depends on the brand too...some stretch and wear differently.

Stainless steel pot [no aluminum] bring to a boil [just water] drop strings in fer...oh, say 15 min un-wrap,draw through paper towel to dry/remove gunk,re string,realize it didn't work so well,go to music store,buy new strings,never repeat.

Help???

[Riffmaster]

Originally Posted by Rokket

but no alcohol (other than beer ).

There ya go...boil em in beer..beer battered bass strings
I just try and get new ones every 6 months ( don't play bass a lot). Otherwise I think either the alcohol or WD will at least degunk then OK.

[rayc]

Olongapo City is once again recognized by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) as a “Most Competitive Medium-Sized City”. The award was received by City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. in awarding ceremonies held at the InterContinental Manila Hotel.
The award is given based on the city’s competitiveness in different areas or ‘six drivers of competitiveness’ which are vital to a city’s progress. These drivers measure the strengths and weaknesses of the city and gauge the performance of the city if the environment is conducive for progress and development of the different sectors of the community.
The drivers are: (1) cost of doing business, (2) dynamism of local economy, (3) human resources and training, (4) infrastructure, (5) responsiveness of LGUs to business needs and (6) quality of life. The scores are compared to the scores of different cities in the same category where Olongapo City prevailed in the mid-sized cities category along with General Santos City, Cabanatuan, San Pablo, Tagum, Tarlac City and Lucena.
In the small sized cities category, recognized were Bayawan; Calapan; Calbayog; Dagupan; Dipolog; Laoag; Malabalay; Naga; San Fernando, La Union; Surigao; Tagbilaran and Tugegarao.
Meanwhile, the most competitive Metropolitan Cities are Davao, Lapu-Lapu, Makati, Marikina, Manila and Quezon City, according to the Asian Institute of Management.
The scores that Olongapo received are high particularly in human resources and training and responsiveness to business needs. This is due to Mayor Gordon’s unwavering effort to boost the city’s livelihood and welfare.
The rankings also serve as an assessment tool for the leaders to recognize the areas that need more improvement to make the city ready for the challenge of global competitiveness
It can be recalled that Olongapo City was also awarded as one of the ‘Most Competitive Small Sized Cities’ in 2005. The city was elevated to a medium-sized level because of the increase in the population.
“Ang pag-angat ng Olongapo bilang isang ‘Medium Sized City’ at nanatili pa rin bilang pinaka-competitve na syudad ay nagpapakita na kayang-kaya ng Olongapo na magbigay ng kalidad na pamumuhay sa mga mamamayan. Ang parangal na ito ay napakalaking patunay na ang Olongapo City ay handang-handa na patungo sa ‘global competency.’ Kaya dapat ipagpatuloy natin ito, we’re definitely fighting for excellence!” said Mayor. Gordon.
Hey, Rokket, this says nothing about the postal service!
But with all the bong stuff it's no wonder the mail doesn't get through. - Sorry bad pun. I know heaps of Phillipinos - lots came to Australia to teach - and we do keep up on Asia pacific affairs so I know about the names etc.
I've boiled - not good.
a little wire brush & a solvent for the hand grease will help but EQing will too.

[Anfontan]

I would go with WD-40. I still use it regularly on my instruments to get the gunk off and revive older strings.
As a matter of fact, I used to carry a small spray can of WD-40 to gigs and would spray it on a napkin and wipe the strings down between the 2nd and 3rd sets for 4 hr gigs. It would give the neck a smooth feel and it was amazing how much black gunk it would take off of the strings!

[Chili]

Cool Rokket. Good luck with it.

So, how often should bass strings be changed? I just bought my first this past winter.

Cheers,

[Corndog]

...or you could leave 'em on,dead, and get the "James Jamerson" thump.
Someone once said "Good bass should be felt,not "heard"."





....or did I just make that up???

[legionserial]

Originally Posted by Rokket

Chili -- where I am at, I doubt that they would arrive in the mail, that's why I won't order them online. I love where I am at, but just like anywhere else in the world, there is some corruption. Unfortunately, the mail system is a part of it...

If you like, I could send you a letter bomb that will explode in their faces, with the message "the next package will be my bass strings, if they don't reach their intended recipient, the package after that will be a dirtier version of this bomb".

[dogonjon]

I thought that after boiling you beat them with a hammer.

[jonnyc]

Michael Wagener was telling a story about recording the latest Kings X album and mentioned that the bassist(his name slips my mind)had something like 8 year old strings on his bass yet they still recorded it. Does it sound that bad?

[Fusioninspace]

If they are still staying in tune, then I would say don't mess with them (other than maybe the WD-40 trick). Many bass players don't change their strings but once a year (or less) anyway.

If you want them to sound fresh all the time, they you're probably talking about changing them every 2-3 months at most. Otherwise, they'll sound about the same at 6 months or 6 years.