markdavid Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Ive heard of people doing this to bring strings back to life , what type of Alchohol is used to do this (i take it its not methylated spirits) and how do you do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Isopropyl alcohol or meths is fine. You could search the forums for the method, there was a string cleaning topic not long ago, but I'm dashing off to lectures and haven't got time myself. Basically, it involves some cheap as chips PVC piping + end caps, some silicone to seal one end properly, and a hook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 It's much easier and simpler to just take all the strings off the bass, wrap them up in a circle like how they came out the packet, then put them in a pan of boiling water on the hob with a tiny drop of fairy liquid in for 5 minutes - this is what I do every couple of weeks and it works perfectly, the strings are like new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdphysio Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 [quote name='benwhiteuk' post='407398' date='Feb 12 2009, 10:46 AM']It's much easier and simpler to just take all the strings off the bass, wrap them up in a circle like how they came out the packet, then put them in a pan of boiling water on the hob with a tiny drop of fairy liquid in for 5 minutes - this is what I do every couple of weeks and it works perfectly, the strings are like new.[/quote] Ooh, wouldn't have thought of doing that. We should have a 'Top Tips' forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Meths, but take the strings off as it will melt a lot of surface finishes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 MB1. "Buy some New Strings and drink the Alcohol!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 [quote name='kdphysio' post='407421' date='Feb 12 2009, 11:04 AM']Ooh, wouldn't have thought of doing that. We should have a 'Top Tips' forum.[/quote] We have one - it's called the wiki. Oh never mind, I'll get me coat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 [quote name='Buzz' post='407394' date='Feb 12 2009, 10:41 AM']Isopropyl alcohol or meths is fine. You could search the forums for the method, there was a string cleaning topic not long ago, but I'm dashing off to lectures and haven't got time myself. Basically, it involves some cheap as chips PVC piping + end caps, some silicone to seal one end properly, and a hook.[/quote] Rolling them up and cramming them in a big sandwich box is much easier, no special making. Seems happier than boiling, less thermal stress or something. I dangle my bass by the strings when I'm playing so any potential string weakening is a no-no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Definitely meths over boiling, you cant get all the water out very quickly and that seems to weaken the inner core quicker (more string breakages as a result) it may well be to do with thermal stress more though. meths does a good job, boiling appears to bring a bit more life back but for a very short period of time IME. I have 2 sets of DR's for my 4 string and one set lives in meths to be swapped when the set on the bass goes too manky. Works a treat (be sure to give them a day to dry out if you want to be certain theres none left to spoil that finish though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Just buy new strings you pikey's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Buzz' post='407394' date='Feb 12 2009, 10:41 AM']Isopropyl alcohol or meths is fine. You could search the forums for the method, there was a string cleaning topic not long ago, but I'm dashing off to lectures and haven't got time myself. Basically, it involves some cheap as chips PVC piping + end caps, some silicone to seal one end properly, and a hook.[/quote] I used to do this [url="http://www.tunemybass.com/strings/bass_string_cleaning_tube.html"]string cleaning tubes[/url] method with isopropyl. Though I think it's probably just as effective to leave the strings coiled in an old casserole dish or something. Edited February 13, 2009 by nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Nailed Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='crez5150' post='408312' date='Feb 13 2009, 11:07 AM']Just buy new strings you pikey's [/quote] I used to think like this but believe it or not, boiled/cleaned strings actually sound a little different to brand new strings - they've got that punch but not overly bright with string noise. It's a unique method of attaining a consistent tone but it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='markdavid' post='407335' date='Feb 12 2009, 09:44 AM']Ive heard of people doing this to bring strings back to life , what type of Alchohol is used to do this (i take it its not methylated spirits) and how do you do this?[/quote] Cheap bottle of surgical spirit from most chemists. Er, don't drink this stuff, possibly make any string sound good to you afterwards! Boiling strings works too. Sometimes on a gig if they sound a wee bit dull, slacken off a string a few inches, give a few good pulls like trying to shake the grit outa them and retune. This can help brighten up enough for the gig, (that was on my nickel strings). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clockworkwar Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I coil my strings up and put them in an ice cream tub full of meths. Leave for 24 hours and then dry them and rub them down with a baby towel. You can keep doing this till the strings are nackered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatwound Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 [quote name='markdavid' post='407335' date='Feb 12 2009, 08:44 PM']Ive heard of people doing this to bring strings back to life , what type of Alchohol is used to do this (i take it its not methylated spirits) and how do you do this?[/quote] Denatured Alcohol is what you use,....commonly known as Methylated Spirits, a mate does this and reckons its great. Soak them, and an old toothbrush, scouring pad or something similar, to give them a bit of a rub. I have seen the residue after he has done this on one occasion and you wouldn't believe the crap that a set of roundwounds accumulate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogerio Rosario Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 i tryed but i not good! better a new strings [url="http://www.MakeMusicNews.com"]www.MakeMusicNews.com[/url] c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.