fretmeister Posted January 13, 2020 Share Posted January 13, 2020 An odd question.. If you use a set of strings for a couple of months, take them off the bass to work on the bass, then put them back on, would you expect them to suffer a bit more in the re-stringing process and sound older more quickly? I notice that sometimes when I do that the little dents in the strings from being fretted can end up on top, so each string gets more dents. I recently did this and (although I might be imagining it), the strings seem to be far deader than they were just before taking them off and putting them on again. Or is it just my ears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Have you twisted them putting on maybe, quite easy to do if the tuner end is already all coiled up. Sometimes a twist in the string will made it sound dead. The flat fret spots being on top would point to this being the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 14, 2020 Author Share Posted January 14, 2020 Could well be right. Might just have to put a fresh set on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 I have learned from experience that once I've taken a set of strings of a bass (or guitar) they are only ever any use for emergencies when I've broken a string and haven't got a replacement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 If they've been in use for a good long while they never sound the same to me removed and when later put back under tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I find a good shake in a tub with isopropyl alcohol freshens them up for a good while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 It is possible to machine wash strings, or wash or boil them. Fairy, alcohol... ultrasonic, anyone? Longer shelf time gives a slightly longer use, but they still become dull pretty fast. Because the frets eat some of the string surface, the result is not very good. My choice has been a new set. I buy 5 to 10 sets at the time. Then I am able to discuss about the price in a local shop. Far better results than trying to wash them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 (edited) On 02/02/2020 at 15:11, itu said: It is possible to machine wash strings, or wash or boil them. Fairy, alcohol... ultrasonic, anyone? Longer shelf time gives a slightly longer use, but they still become dull pretty fast. Because the frets eat some of the string surface, the result is not very good. My choice has been a new set. I buy 5 to 10 sets at the time. Then I am able to discuss about the price in a local shop. Far better results than trying to wash them. I have reasonable success and get a fair amount of brightness back in by soaking them in a big bottle of meths for 24 hours. Obviously not as good as new but I've rarely had any problems. Edited February 5, 2020 by Marky L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Boiling is a bad idea, depending on the string you'll increase the chances of rusting and decrease the life. as @Marky L says, soaking in meths is one of the best options, or other alcohol with no water in it. Andrew Pouska at StudyBass recommends making a cleaning tube so the strings can hang rather than coil (http://www.studybass.com/gear/bass-strings/bass-string-cleaning-tube/) , As a more frequent clean rather than removing and soaking the strings I've found these to be really effective, anhydrous IPA wipes : https://uk.farnell.com/techspray/1610-50pk/wipe-isopropyl-alcohol-ipa-pack/dp/2501334 (IPA = Isopropyl alcohol, not India Pale Ale 🙂 ). Wiping the strings as soon as they get greasy keeps them cleaner for longer, some guys do so after every rehearsal & gig, but I don't find that necessary. I put a sheet of plastic between the strings & fretboard just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Agree with @Maude about twisting them when you've put them back on. Whenever I work on mine, for whatever reason, I restring it with the one's I've removed for the work, but I always leave them in the bridge, and just curl them out of the way while I'm working. Never had any issues when retightening them (there's always a first time of course! ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 I bought new ones. Could not be arsed with faffing of washing them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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