Boiling Strings

Discussion in 'Performing Arts' started by Chris L, Aug 4, 2005.

  1. Chris L

    Chris L Member

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    Does boiling round-wound strings in vinegar really work to make them like new?
     
  2. Orsino2

    Orsino2 Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    Never tried it... I've heards all kind of weird-shit tales like that. Eh, I generally break my A string and have to change (I only play 5 strings), so that wouldn't be much good for me. I play Ernie Ball Power Slinkies, so $4.00 a pack ain't too bad, I could make that back by busking.
     
  3. Floyd Soul

    Floyd Soul The Walkin' Dude

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    I don't know if that works.... But I wouldn't go to the hastle of doing it.... I mean vinegar? :D

    I put a brand new set on before every gig and I just replace individual strings as I break em.... I go through quite alot but when I put a new set on, I keep the old ones to have as spares. I use Daddario 12's which are a good 7.50 Euro which is like 9dollars....

    George, love the signature man :D
     
  4. Orsino2

    Orsino2 Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    Haha, if you want to go cheaper, check out http://www.webstrings.com

    They're damn good, for the money. I think they may even buy strings from D'Addario, at bulk, which is why the prices are low.
     
  5. Spaceduck

    Spaceduck Member

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    Dude, if you're that hungry, nylon strings would go down a lot easier. :p Seriously, I heard boiling works great with bass strings, but I dunno about guitar.
     
  6. Chris L

    Chris L Member

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    Cool, I got a bunch of my old bass strings lying around, so I'll check it out with those. But, then again, I'd have to take the current strings off of my bass, put on the old strings, play around to see how it sounds, take the strings off, boil them, dry them some how, put the strings back on, and see how it works.

    Damn, that's a lot of work...I'll do it later some time...
     
  7. kiss_the_sky

    kiss_the_sky Member

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    *off-topic stupid question*

    when do you have to change your strings?
     
  8. Chris L

    Chris L Member

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    I dunno, whenever they don't sound good anymore, or when something snaps...that's when i change them.
     
  9. JungleFungus

    JungleFungus Member

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    I only change em when they snap.

    How marvellously punk rock of me.
     
  10. Chris L

    Chris L Member

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    I did some research, and (talking strictly bass strings) boiling strings in vinegar will only make them sound good for a day or two, and it's a huge bitch to do. However, soaking them in denatured alcohol will make them sound good for a month or so.

    A good way to do this is to go to a hardware store and pick up some PVC pipe, PVC glue, a cap for the pipes, and some denatured alcohol. You cut the pipe so that it's big enough to store your strings in. Then, you take the cap, and glue it onto one end of the pipe. Then, you fill the pipe with denatured alcohol, put the strings in, and go to sleep. Next morning, take them out, let them dry, and put them back on.

    Keep the alcohol though, because you can reuse it.

    So, come Sunday, probably, I'm off to Home Depot.
     
  11. if you oil them occasionally and before you store them and you're willing to clean them when you bring it back out you should have the things last longer too, rust is curbed by oil in pans at least.....
     
  12. Chris L

    Chris L Member

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    Yeah, but wouldn't oil make the strings slippery?
     
  13. I rather should have changed it to storage only.......


    and probably......
     
  14. baboonus_galactus

    baboonus_galactus Member

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    Boiling bass strings in plain water is actually working.
     
  15. RoBoWaLkEr

    RoBoWaLkEr Member

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    Question...how the hell do you put the strings back on after you take them off? That just sounds WAY too dam hard for it to be worth it.
     
  16. Chris L

    Chris L Member

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    I don't find it hard.
     
  17. thread, thread, easier than loading up a damned serger......
     
  18. Orsino2

    Orsino2 Hip Forums Supporter HipForums Supporter

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    Well, jeez, Ernie Balls are only $4.00 a pack here... I love Ernie Ball. They're damn good... webstrings are only $2.00 something a pack. Save you the money on vinegar a little more time to live. :p
     
  19. Oric

    Oric Member

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    I've heard boiling strings isn't the best idea. Once you do, you can't use that pan for food, ever.
     

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