Cleaning Bass Strings

[Chainsaw Calligraphy]

Because I'm cheap and bass strings aren't. I've never tried this before but alot of bassists swear by doing things like boiling their strings to return some life to them. I've just left an old set to soak in methylated spirits overnight as this seemed like one of the less retarded suggestions and I wasn't in the mood for string stew. Has anyone tried this before and had any success? I can't help but wonder why I'd never heard of this as a guitarist but it seems to be fairly common among bassists. If I can find a recording with the old strings I'll make a before and after comparison tomorrow.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Yes I've done that, it works well.

 

[wetpenny]

yeh it does bring some zing back for a while..
waaaaaaaay better method than boiling

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Oh sorry my bad, I did the boiling thing, not the spirits overnight.

 

[MindMunch]

I can't help but wonder why I'd never heard of this as a guitarist but it seems to be fairly common among bassists.

Because guitar strings are so much cheaper than bass strings. I tried the boiling thing twice and it does sound a lot brighter (wouldn´t say "like new") for a short period, and from my experience you can only use this trick once for each set of strings.

Never heard of this spirit thing, but it does sound like black magic. Me gusta.

 

[Chainsaw Calligraphy]

Good to know I'm not wasting my time with this. It would be cool to compare the difference between cleaned strings and a fresh set but I don't have any bass strings around at the moment.

 

[::XeS::]

It works for a short period. Take note that when you boil the strings you put them into the water and water+metal=rust

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Not if you add olive oil.

 

[Trevoire520]

I've heard it's best to boil them and then put them in the oven to make the water evaporate and stop rusting.

For recording though I'd rather just buy a new set.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Not a microwave oven though right?

 

[Uros]

Not if you add olive oil.

This sounds more and more like a recipe

 

[LeSedna]

I can clearly imagine my mother going home, asking me "oh you're cooking tonight ?"
"Yes, my bass strings."

 

[Harry Hughes]

The effect is so short lived that I just don't think it's worth going to the trouble really.
Buy strings in bulk = LOTS of money saved without the hassle of boiling strings

 

[::XeS::]

Some carbonara's bass strings