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  #1  
Old 04-29-2019, 03:47 AM
silverspear silverspear is offline
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Default Anyone here boils their guitar strings?

http://www.get-tuned.com/boiling-guitar-strings.php

Something to think about...

last thought, does it work on elixirs??
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Old 04-29-2019, 03:56 AM
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Not me. My guitars cost thousands of pounds (each), a set of strings costs a few pounds. I’m not spoiling the sound of an expensive guitar by being a skinflint over strings. That’s my personal philosophy. Others may differ, and that’s fine AFAIC.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.
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Old 04-29-2019, 03:58 AM
Rpt50 Rpt50 is offline
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I used to boil my bass strings back in the 70s. I remember that it definitely worked, but I also remember that they did not keep the brighter sound as long as actual new strings.

I've never done it for guitar strings because they are so cheap.
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Old 04-29-2019, 04:19 AM
Johny Tenthumbs Johny Tenthumbs is offline
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I tried boiling them for hours and hours, then in desperation I added different things to the pot, like carrots and potatoes. It was still the worst soup I've ever tasted.
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Old 04-29-2019, 04:19 AM
AndrewG AndrewG is offline
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When I was a broke kid in the 60s I would, but not any more. Sometimes it worked and the strings sounded ok for a couple more days, and sometimes they just turned black and died completely. I use Elixirs but I imagine the coating would do weird stuff if subjected to boiling water. Elixirs last for months anyway so I don't see the point.
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Old 04-29-2019, 04:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Johny Tenthumbs View Post
I tried boiling them for hours and hours, then in desperation I added different things to the pot, like carrots and potatoes. It was still the worst soup I've ever tasted.
Should have removed the bitter-tasting ball-ends. My mother taught me that.
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Old 04-29-2019, 04:32 AM
Aura Aura is offline
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I'd be interested to hear if anybody chooses to do this anymore.

Guitar strings are so readily available at a variety of different price points to suit most budgets that I imagine there must be noticeable beneficial reasons for someone to choose to boil and bake their old strings? If there is, i'd be curious to know more. Having said that, i'll continue to buy new strings as and when I need them.
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Old 04-29-2019, 04:41 AM
varmonter varmonter is offline
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no ..but microwaving them for 3 min sure is purdy...

Back in the 70s we used to boil them. It works for awhile.
brightens them up a bit. But we were broke college kids.
I havnt done this since then.

String Soup. ...fodder for a new song.
Like “cold dog soup and rainbow pie.”

I don’t think it’s worth it. I don’t even wipe mine down anymore as it just doesn’t make any difference.

I change em once a year whether they need it or not....

Last edited by varmonter; 04-30-2019 at 08:55 AM.
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Old 04-29-2019, 05:27 AM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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I can't find a pot big enough to fit my jumbo guitars.
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Old 04-29-2019, 05:42 AM
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30-35 years ago I used boil my bass strings.

At this point in life there's no need.

Besides, I'm a string junkie and love trying new strings all the time.
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Old 04-29-2019, 05:50 AM
Howard Emerson Howard Emerson is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4-string View Post
30-35 years ago I used boil my bass strings.

At this point in life there's no need.

Besides, I'm a string junkie and love trying new strings all the time.
The antithesis of what many bass players were doing back then. I remember very clearly reading about Nashville bassist/producer Norbert Putnam hating new strings, so he would take his Precision into the bathroom while he'd be showering to make sure the strings got deader quicker.

He never had fret ends sticking out, either.

HE
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Old 04-29-2019, 06:24 AM
gfspencer gfspencer is offline
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I have never boiled strings and I don't think I will start but I wonder what would happen if you put strings in an ultrasonic cleaner - the kind that you use for jewelry or glasses.
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Old 04-29-2019, 06:30 AM
Tony Burns Tony Burns is offline
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The purpose of this
to make soup ?
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Old 04-29-2019, 06:32 AM
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Default Boil Strings?

8 minutes for Al Dente.
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Old 04-29-2019, 07:11 AM
Rockysdad Rockysdad is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lkristians View Post
8 minutes for Al Dente.
Does gauge matter?
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