boiling strings.

[kiosai]

does boiling the strings really help? if it does, how do we do it?

i've been playing for about 4 years now, and i usually just change my strings when they get quite rusty after a few months. i've heard of boiling them, but havent really had the guts to try doing it. any suggestions?

thanks guys.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

err... wouldn't boiling em make them turn 100% rust?

 

[Lifehouse]

For goodness sake, spend some money and buy a new pack. Reused strings are tonally extremely inferior and susceptible to breaking.

 

[thor666]

i think that generally applies to bass strings. someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[anep]

yerp. remember a thread once abt boiling bass strings to last longer, coz they're exp.

here you go..
http://soft.com.sg/2006/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2276&start=0

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

i have no idea how that should work...

all i know is reactive metals react with water... the hotter the metal gets, the more it tends to react with it... like iron...

metal reacts with water to form a basic hydroxide/oxide... in the case of steel where iron is present, iron oxide is formed...

iron oxide = rust

err huh? :smt115

 

[fretless6]

What the boiling does is remove the dirt and oil that's stuck between the windings. That's what dulls the tone of the strings.

 

[spikes]

it is also said when your guitar sounds dull, boil the guitar, it'll help...

 

[3notesAbar]

yeah we can also boil dull people and make them brighter.

 

[Vaiyen]

heheh

 

[fretless6]

yeah we can also boil dull people and make them brighter.

lol :mrgreen:

 

[popeye]

yeah we can also boil dull people and make them brighter.

that's not correct.
Boiling the person will make them tender and juicy. Yummy!

 

[rottenramone]

..

this only applies to bass strings. i think with boiling guitar strings you'll end up with indomee.

btw, i don't boil strings no more. i put them in methylated spirit for a couple o' days.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

i see the use of acid in removing dirt and all but use too much and ur strings will become a salt...

spirit sound more logical... :twisted:

 

[fretless6]

Re: ..

this only applies to bass strings. i think with boiling guitar strings you'll end up with indomee.

btw, i don't boil strings no more. i put them in methylated spirit for a couple o' days.

Haha I used to have a big tupperware of M Spirits to soak my bass strings, but after a couple of soaks, the crap of the strings saturate the spirit, and the strings come out dirtier than before they went in :mrgreen:

Anyway guitar strings are CHEAP, just change em. If you think guitar or bass guitar strings are expensive, go find out how much a set of double bass or cello strings cost. :mrgreen:

 

[Belbel]

Boiling has been around a long time. I thought EVH said in an interview about 25 years ago he boiled his NEW strings before suing which apparently minimised stretching etc etc. Tried it before. It just takes extra time and I found the strings lose some tone so its osunds like you are using old strings.

 

[kiosai]

oops i forgot this was a guitar's only thread. sorry my mistake. i thought guitar's referred to bass as well. yes i was referring to bass strings. so dont shoot me down alright. bass strings are hella expensive. about $20+ a pack. thanks for the help.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

oh... i thought u were refering to the wounded strings of guitars.. haha 8)

 

[Viruz]

oh gosh,get a new pack of string and save the boiling thing.Its a waste of time.A crab vibe actually..