Boil all?....

CallyGull · Tadpole Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 19

If you were to dry the strings right when you take them out of the boil can you avoid rusting? Or do you not have worry at all? How big is the issue, are strings susceptible to rust?

I had always thought that this was an issue, so if you can help, please do.

~Cally~

Ankhanu · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:21 am Post subject:

It's a small issue. For the most part, strings are made of metals that don't really rust; nickel, stainless steel and the like with cores of metals that are also resistant to rust/oxidation. If you dry them off and let them thoroughly dry you should be fine. The time frame in which they'd be played isn't really long enough for these metals to really rust/degrade.

Tyler · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:51 am Post subject:

A good way to dry your strings if you choose to boil them:
preheat your oven to it's lowest setting (usually about 220 degrees).
your strings should still be rolled into a coil from boiling them
Create a packet around them out of tinfoil (shiny side in). don't press it tight around your strings; you need the space inside to be open. poke holes throughout the packet with a fork.
"bake" in oven for 15 minutes.
Very Happy

CallyGull · Tadpole Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 19

This is the first that I have ever heard of a string boiling, and I was just wanting to know if it works for guitar strings as well. I am guessing that it must, considering that they aren't much different than bass strings.

CG
bachelor business degree online

Ankhanu · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject:

It'll work, but with the low cost of guitar strings and the overall benefit of boiling, I wouldn't bother.

And if you're a spam bot, I applaud your writer.

CallyGull · Tadpole Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 19

Nope, just getting the word out. I am a guitar bot though. I have been playing for about 9 yrs now, and I had never heard of boiling strings. I played in a Louisville, ky based band called Squarewell. We're broken up now, but you can check out some stuff on myspace, and youtube, just search for squarewell, and we are the first results on both sites.

CG

Ankhanu · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:16 am Post subject:

Hehe, cool. Just found the online bachaelor's degree add in your posts a little suspect :P

Mkuk0 · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:08 am Post subject:

You suspicious bassdog you!! Wink

_________________
Visit http://www.planetrock.co.uk/default.asp You KNOW you want to!

Meker · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:02 am Post subject: No boiling

I never boil'em cuz metal strings lose their tempering when you do that. They sound bad and die quickly. You can clean strings with wipe downs or cloth dampened with a little lemon juice if you are desperate--and then wipe dry. I'd sure be curious why only the E gets dirty tho.

superfingers · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

Hi there, just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth on this. Boiling your strings is a great way to bring some life back to a set of wound strings. Guitar players really won't benefit except on the lower strings that are indeed wound. The reason you are boiling them is to get rid of all the sweat and hand oils that build up inbetween the windings that kill the ringing of the string. Adding about a tablespoon of vinegar will help dissolve the oils quicker and leave the strings like new. I do it all the time 'cuz a set of 5 string Thomastiks are too pricey to replace every few months when all is needed is a quick boil and it's wickedly effective. The heat that is incurred during the boiling process is in no way high enough to affect the mechanical properties if the strings. And, they are usually hot enough that when you pull them out, they air dry in a matter of minutes with out using an oven, so if you are concerned that they will tarnish or corrosion, it won't happen. They are generally made of alloys that resist rust unless you're using untra cheap strings.

TheGanz · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject: Can you reboil strings?

Hey how many times have you guys re-boiled your strings? I have already done it once, but am due for either a new set or a fresh boil?

Ankhanu · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:45 am Post subject:

I've boiled the same set maybe, 4-5 times before replacing... my current set just had its second boil.

As for when to replace, well, it comes down to your tonal preference and your wallet. Some people never boil... others boil until the string dies. But with each boil, you do lose some of the string's brightness, and the tone dies just a little bit faster.

Basically, boil until you're unsatisfied.

vinxbass · Tadpole Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 22

I used to boil my strings, but don't anymore. Now I can afford to get strings more often than I used to, but when I did boil them it seemed to give them another weeks worth of life. The thing about boiling your strings is that the strings will lose their elasticity; they become more susceptible to breakage.