gypsyjazzer Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 What do you use to clean your strings? I have steel / nylon / copper strings to clean. 'Isopropanal' has been recommended--but hard to get. I have a spray can of 'Maplin's Switch Cleaner'. Has anybody used it for string cleaning? It says on the can: 'A general purpose cleaning solvent that removes stains,coatings,printing inks,oil,grease and dirt. Highly efficient switch cleaner. Safe on most plastics.' Any Bass playing chemists out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubassman Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Citrasolv - its a completely natural degreasing agent and wont harm your varnish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Some of the switch cleaning products leave a lubricant behind, which you don't want. I've successfully used plain Isopropyl alcohol on Spirocores and bass guitar strings, but I'd avoid using it on any sort of synthetic string. I had thought it would be fine on nylon, but it turned a set of black nylon (bass guitar) tapewounds charcoal coloured and killed them dead. If you do want to try Isopropyl, it's available in Maplins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Surgical spirit for me. Seems to do the job on rosin deposits and no signs of finish damage. Added bonus. .the house smells like an old fashioned chemist's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 If by copper you are referring to Velvet strings, then a wet rag and toothpaste will remove all the tarnish and - with some polishing - will brighten the strings very nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Are Velvets really copper? They go black when they tarnish, surely copper would oxidise and go blue? I get pretty black fingers if I spend too much time up the dusty end, so I am curious about them being copper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Says copper on the Velvet website Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1389400746' post='2333966'] Are Velvets really copper? They go black when they tarnish, surely copper would oxidise and go blue? [/quote] Copper Oxide is black - hence the black you get on a duster when using Brasso Green\blue copper deposits come from moisture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsyjazzer Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Thank you gentlemen for all your info. regarding the cleaning of strings--much appreciated. Yes--the copper strings mentioned are Velvet Garbo's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henrywillard Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I use Pirastro String Cleaner. It's around £5-6 for a small 50ml bottle, but it's pretty damn good stuff! [url="http://www.djmmusic.com/p-4622-pirastro-string-cleaner-50ml.aspx"]http://www.djmmusic.com/p-4622-pirastro-string-cleaner-50ml.aspx[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jaywalker Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I use a reasonably strong solution made from Milton tablets. Cleans and brightens strings like you wouldn't believe. Also great for cleaning the fingerboard, which also helps with the sound of your bass IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I use fast fret. It's OK, and nice & easy to apply But I quite like the idea of trying something else... I use Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol) for other purposes - NB, not drinking! You can get it on ebay It's a really effective cleaner - just not tried it on strings yet Where do you get Citrasolv ubassman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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