Boiling your strings

  • Thread starter Thread starter philbagg
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JRSIV said:
Boiling strings is akin to wiping your ass with a washcloth and throwing it in the clothes hamper to be washed. Strings are relatively cheap and unless you gig 5 hours nightly you don't need to change strings every couple days. It's a myth IMO; brand new strings sound too bright and have tuning instability for awhile. Strings with a bit of use aren't bad until they start sounding dead...noticeably dead.

Bass strings are another story. I love old strings on a bass as they're more woolly and thuddy; seem to add to the bass sound I'm after. I have black nylon flatwounds on my bass and they're at least 10 years old. They sound great. Granted, regular roundwounds might need changing more often and if you slap or prefer a bright tone.
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Yeah buddy! I've got old string on pretty much all my instruments. My electric guitar strings only got changed this summer because my old guitar got stolen, and the new one didn't come with a full set.
cheap + lazy + grunge/punk tendencies = old strings.

I did boil some of my bass strings once, but my water had visible minerals and debris in it, so I haven't bothered to use those strings.
 
Victory Pete said:
The only thing I do now is wipe my strings with a cotton cloth and talcum powder.
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I use a sheet of aluminum foil and sand. Same difference.


Just kidding victory pete. Some day I hope to meet you and play one of your guitars just to see if it actually works. Cause there ain't no way in hell I am dumping baby powder on anything 'cept my nurtsack on a humid day.
 
ocnor said:
I can't believe how gullible some people are. The "boil strings" myth was started when EVH stated in an interview back in the early 80's that he boils his strings before installing them on his guitars. He was obviously making a joke but some idiot actually believed him and the myth just keeps being perpetuated.

WATER + METAL = CORROSION
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I read that article and he said that he did it because it lessened the time it took to stretch them when he put them on. It wasn't a joke.
 
Greg_L said:
Lol @ talcum powder.


Real guitarists use Gold Bond.
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Damn I spread loads around and I still can't rep yo ass.:mad:

Don't forget, after simmering those sticks for 20 minutes transfer to a preheated oven at 200 and bake for 48 hours. Remove from heat and serve with attitude garnished with a smile..;)
 
Victory Pete said:
I believe my opinion was meant for the original poster, Philbagg, not you.
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VP.

It seems that we have a serious issue between you and me. I admit there has been a bit of history between us, a few differences. I wont describe those diffences as facts or opinions I'll leave others to make up there own minds on that one. Stuff like who has a grounding in the subject, experience, that sort of thing.

I asked nicely this time that you stop posting the same bad advice, I gave you an "out" and most folks here will tell you that is rare for me. So now that you have neg repped some of the good guys I will tell it like it is..

You need to put up.. You have been asked many times to state arguments for your position on the subject of acoustics, musical acoustics, physics, stuff like that. Now I'm good for a debate but when you just neg rep people that don't agree with you I grow a little tired of it. Have the courtesy to answer the questions that are asked of you.

I don't comment on your statements about amps. electronics etc. not because I don't have an opinion on them but because that is not my area of expertise, although I seriously doubt it is yours. It's rather that I don't comment on them because others know more about the subject and I defer to them.

The real point of this post is to say you can neg rep me and others all you like but bad advice is bad advice, expertise is something that is acquired and not assumed.

You can make this a full out battle if you wish I don't really care but when I see seriously flawed information being handed out here I make it my business to challenge regardless of how that nay affect your sensibilities. We have a good dynamic here and I'm not about to let you ruin it.

I not asking for you to stop putting talc on your strings hell you can put it where you like, just stop advising others to do the same.

The ball is in your court.
 
I bought a P-Bass in March 2002. It still has the original strings on it.
 
I really don't see what the big controversy over talcum powder is all about. I put a little my hands when I play (the back of a guitar neck is very much like a cue stick, after all) and some could get on the strings, I guess. I try not to inhale mass quantities of the stuff but I don't take any special precautions. I've been doing that for over 30 years of playing and nothing bad has happened yet.
 
muttley600 said:
VP.

It seems that we have a serious issue between you and me. I admit there has been a bit of history between us, a few differences. I wont describe those diffences as facts or opinions I'll leave others to make up there own minds on that one. Stuff like who has a grounding in the subject, experience, that sort of thing.

I asked nicely this time that you stop posting the same bad advice, I gave you an "out" and most folks here will tell you that is rare for me. So now that you have neg repped some of the good guys I will tell it like it is..

You need to put up.. You have been asked many times to state arguments for your position on the subject of acoustics, musical acoustics, physics, stuff like that. Now I'm good for a debate but when you just neg rep people that don't agree with you I grow a little tired of it. Have the courtesy to answer the questions that are asked of you.

I don't comment on your statements about amps. electronics etc. not because I don't have an opinion on them but because that is not my area of expertise, although I seriously doubt it is yours. It's rather that I don't comment on them because others know more about the subject and I defer to them.

The real point of this post is to say you can neg rep me and others all you like but bad advice is bad advice, expertise is something that is acquired and not assumed.

You can make this a full out battle if you wish I don't really care but when I see seriously flawed information being handed out here I make it my business to challenge regardless of how that nay affect your sensibilities. We have a good dynamic here and I'm not about to let you ruin it.

I not asking for you to stop putting talc on your strings hell you can put it where you like, just stop advising others to do the same.

The ball is in your court.
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The only reason I may not comment anymore on this is because I have other things to do, not because you have allowed me an "out". Get a grip on reality!
ViP
 
Victory Pete said:
The only reason I may not comment anymore on this is because I have other things to do, not because you have allowed me an "out". Get a grip on reality!
ViP
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Cop out. You have consistently refused to back up your statements with reasoned evidence or even a smidge of evidence quite simply because you can not..

Neg repping guys like Zaphod here is proof enough that you have no idea.

I rarely resort to gratuitous swearing but put up or shut the fuck. You're a dick and you are now the second person on this bbs to receive neg rep from me. An honour indeed. Enjoy

Edit: Damn, I've handed out too much positive rep today to neg you. It will have to wait..
 
Zaphod B said:
I think the consensus is that, between the strings and the timber in the guitar, when it's colder the strings will tend to run sharp and vice versa. Friction from playing will warm the strings a little and they'll go a bit flat as they warm.

Not that it matters - just pick it up and play it and tune as necessary.
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Took a listen to your music and really thought it was nice. Have some points on me.
 
DrewPeterson7 said:
You really are a cock. :p Stop acting like a 12-year-old, dude. The payback negative rep is really mature too. :p
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I cant believe how some of you react to someones opinions and methods. Are you for real?
And it is always the same crowd. Maybe you should grow up!
ViP
 
I dont boil anything..microwaving retains the most nutrients and makes for a spectacular lightning effect..



damn there go my rep points again....
 
Victory Pete said:
I cant believe how some of you react to someones opinions and methods. Are you for real?
And it is always the same crowd. Maybe you should grow up!
ViP
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:p Too funny.

It's less your "opinion" and more the way you go out of your way to bring it up every chance you get, to try to get a rise out of guys like muttley, who actually generally know their shit. I get the sense watching you, and check me if I'm wrong, that it's not even about trying to get people to shake talcum powder all over their strings as much as it is to poke and prod other well-respected guys on this board. That's pretty weak, IMO.
 
DrewPeterson7 said:
:p Too funny.

It's less your "opinion" and more the way you go out of your way to bring it up every chance you get, to try to get a rise out of guys like muttley, who actually generally know their shit. I get the sense watching you, and check me if I'm wrong, that it's not even about trying to get people to shake talcum powder all over their strings as much as it is to poke and prod other well-respected guys on this board. That's pretty weak, IMO.
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I checked, and you are wrong!
VP
 
I heard that if you drink the "tea" that's left when you boil your strings you can play just like Ynqwie for about 2 minutes.
 
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