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michael.butler
New member
Is it true that you can boil old bass strings to give them additional life? (and would you season to taste?)
michael
michael
philboyd studge
New member
I used boil guitar strings all the time, not so much now since I don't care about the enviornment all that much anymore and it's a pain in the ass. Sometimes it works and all the strings come out good, but often one turns out to be a slug and you have to change them anyway.
I just got a piece of advice from none other than Bob Taylor of Taylor guitars in their forum about this, and it makes sense. Just loosen the strings and pop them against the fretboard and the grunge will fly out of them. A little finger ease might loosen things up too beforehand.
I just got a piece of advice from none other than Bob Taylor of Taylor guitars in their forum about this, and it makes sense. Just loosen the strings and pop them against the fretboard and the grunge will fly out of them. A little finger ease might loosen things up too beforehand.
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blipndub
New member
Head on over to www.talkbass.com and do a search on "boiling" and you'll get lots and lots of opinions on the matter. As with most of this kind of stuff, it depends on what you like and what sounds/feels good.
I used to boil them years and years ago when I was a kid, but now I just never replace them!
I used to boil them years and years ago when I was a kid, but now I just never replace them!
jimistone
long standing member
don't get me wrong...im not rich...but to me its worth $7.99 to not have to fuck with something like boiling strings. i change mine once a week when im giging and once a month when im just picking guitar in the studio or at home.
i would be willing to bet that a set of brand new strings sounds alot beter than boiled worn out old ones.
i would be willing to bet that a set of brand new strings sounds alot beter than boiled worn out old ones.
philboyd studge
New member
"i would be willing to bet that a set of brand new strings sounds alot beter than boiled worn out old ones."
jimistone, no that's not the case and that's why folks boiled strings for so long. 8 out 10 times they sound just like new. Trouble is, is that there's that 20% dud factor. When you add that to the time it takes to deal with string changing twice it's just not worth it.
jimistone, no that's not the case and that's why folks boiled strings for so long. 8 out 10 times they sound just like new. Trouble is, is that there's that 20% dud factor. When you add that to the time it takes to deal with string changing twice it's just not worth it.
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christiaan
Active member
On a guitar it may not be worth the effort but on a bass...
Especially when you have a low B as well, man those strings alone are more expensive than a whole set of guitar strings.
But since a week a have a set of elixir strings on my 5-string bass. I wonder if they stay alive as long as they claim.
Especially when you have a low B as well, man those strings alone are more expensive than a whole set of guitar strings.
But since a week a have a set of elixir strings on my 5-string bass. I wonder if they stay alive as long as they claim.
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laaronx
New member
Hey Philboy, you mentioned a taylor guitars forum... can you tell me where I can find it?
thanks
thanks
cordura21
New member
I did it a lot in the past an it worked extremely well.
And now that a set of bass strings cost the same as the average argentine wage, I'm gonna do it again.
And now that a set of bass strings cost the same as the average argentine wage, I'm gonna do it again.
philboyd studge
New member
TexRoadkill
Audio Bum
Just move to Arizona. It's so freakin dry here I only have to change strings about every 3 months.
octoruss
New member
Boiling your bass strings?? Now that's the cotton pickinest strangest thing I've heard yet in these here parts. But gosh darnit, I'm going to give it a try.
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blipndub
New member
That's the spirit! Take a risk boil them strings, however I prefer mine sauteed with a bit of wine and mushrooms.
philboyd studge
New member
Or with a good chianti and fava beans.
Actually, try Bob Taylor's method first (detune and shake things loose by slapping them against the fretboard) before boiling cause it'll only take a minute or two.
Actually, try Bob Taylor's method first (detune and shake things loose by slapping them against the fretboard) before boiling cause it'll only take a minute or two.
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blipndub
New member
Even taking a polishing cloth with some rubbing alcohol and running them along the underside and top of the strings can take away a lot of grime.
cordura21
New member
nice recipes.
But on a serious note, I heard that adding a little of vinegar to the water makes a better cleaning.
But on a serious note, I heard that adding a little of vinegar to the water makes a better cleaning.
VOXVENDOR
New member
If you change strings every 2 weeks, that like $4.00/ week.....
If you can't afford that, then you can't afford extravagances like owning a musical instrument.
Go on... Git down to the pawn shop.
If you can't afford that, then you can't afford extravagances like owning a musical instrument.
Go on... Git down to the pawn shop.
cordura21
New member
what's the price of a set of bass strings in the USA?
Here in Argentina is 90 pesos, with the dollar at 3.50 that's 25 U$D.
You see, we're freaking poor but we cover it saying that we follow the James Jamerson school.
Here in Argentina is 90 pesos, with the dollar at 3.50 that's 25 U$D.
You see, we're freaking poor but we cover it saying that we follow the James Jamerson school.
Bass Master "K"
New member
I read this as well, and I when my band was playing heavily I boiled my strings on two occations where I didn't have the chance to hit the music store to get new ones.
My experience is that after about 2 minutes in the boiling water, wiping and restringing, they do sound close to new, as they are very clean. However, they seemed to lose some elasticity, and so if you slap and pop or play hardcore on them with a pick I would have to say your more likely to bust a string. After each show following the boiling, I replaced them because I could tell they felt more stiff and breakable.
My experience is that after about 2 minutes in the boiling water, wiping and restringing, they do sound close to new, as they are very clean. However, they seemed to lose some elasticity, and so if you slap and pop or play hardcore on them with a pick I would have to say your more likely to bust a string. After each show following the boiling, I replaced them because I could tell they felt more stiff and breakable.
hixmix
Halibut, North Dakota
Don't forget to throw in some "Old Bay Seasoning" any time you boil the bass strings.
bongolation
New member
> If you change strings every 2 weeks, that like $4.00/ week.....
Not if you own over twenty guitars and basses.
Not if you own over twenty guitars and basses.
