Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

[theodie]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

we all did stupid **** at first...

live and learn. sometimes people laugh at you. it builds character

Very true!



:chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall :chairfall

 

[B2D]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

:chairfall :chairfall

Your daily blunt brought to you by B2D.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em. :smokin:

Thanks, Dave. :banana:



In a side note, doesn't boiling strings compromise the tensility somewhat? Maybe it's worse with nickel than with steel, I don't know. Can anyone confirm/deny this?

I clean my strings religiously and I can usually get one month out of a pack if I play 'em a lot.

 

[Imp]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

interesting point there! i'd never thought about the effects of different string materials on the boiling trick.. disturbing the structure of the string's metal might cause it to break more often?

and i've heard this technique used more on bass strings.. mainly because bass strings cost about as much as second hand pedals :laugh2:

tom

 

[Diego]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

Dunno. I used to boil my D'Addarios (Steel/nickel compound) and I didn't notice anything odd after. Same strings, just cleaner. And since my wallet is a bit fatter than what it used to be, I won't be boiling strings anytime soon. :chairfall

 

[davedvdy]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

Dunno. I used to boil my D'Addarios (Steel/nickel compound) and I didn't notice anything odd after. Same strings, just cleaner. And since my wallet is a bit fatter than what it used to be, I won't be boiling strings anytime soon. :chairfall

I've heard it alters the molecular structure of the string. I can hear a difference, it is bright but definitely different.
I've only done it with bass strings, as another user mentioned, they do get expensive.

If anyone decides to boil their strings, be careful how long you boil them!

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I really wouldn't bother with guitar strings.

Bass strings- over $17 a set...

I still don't though...

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

:laugh2: You guys are funny.

I change strings when they won't stay in tune. I usually go several months.

Of course, I don't play 8 hours per day, either. Sometimes, I don't play for over a week.

 

[davedvdy]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

:laugh2: You guys are funny.

I change strings when they won't stay in tune. I usually go several months.

Of course, I don't play 8 hours per day, either. Sometimes, I don't play for over a week.

I never bother boiling electric guitar strings, they are pretty cheap.
Of course, a lot of this depends on your hands and how acidic they are.

I can kill strings in a few days easily, just playing a couple hours a day.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I bet the dude that started this thread must feel weird.

sorry dude, we didnt mean to. lol.

anyway, just dont do it again, im sure the strings are worn down somehow.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I remember Buddy Guy saying "the young guys have never even heard of tying strings. Back in Mississippi, we'd tie a knot in the string and put it back on. If it was in the middle of the fretboard, you'd have to learn to play around the knot."

That said......come on, they're $3.50 a pack! The price of a hamburger!

 

[Jacques]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I use a bit of cleaning fluid on a cloth to wipe the unwound strings that tend to get a little black. In Europe we have this product called WD-40. It is used to lubricate and to clean any metal surface and leaves a bit of a protective layer. Great for adjustment screws too. Just make sure it doesn't touch any other part of your guitar's surface. And of course use a cloth on your strings after playing.

 

[Davey]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I remember Buddy Guy saying "the young guys have never even heard of tying strings. Back in Mississippi, we'd tie a knot in the string and put it back on. If it was in the middle of the fretboard, you'd have to learn to play around the knot."

That said......come on, they're $3.50 a pack! The price of a hamburger!

lol, i did that every time on a friends crappy classical.

its 2 am, you're rockin out and a string breaks.

tie that ****er and rock on!

 

[beandip]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I remember Buddy Guy saying "the young guys have never even heard of tying strings. Back in Mississippi, we'd tie a knot in the string and put it back on. If it was in the middle of the fretboard, you'd have to learn to play around the knot."

That said......come on, they're $3.50 a pack! The price of a hamburger!

I read that somewhere. Guitar World maybe? Perhaps the repair book I spoke of not too long ago.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

a 10 pack of d'addarios goes for $30 ... $3 a pack is pretty light ... and webstrings.com, in bulk, you can get the price down to ~$2.50 a pack

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

Did anyone think to check his sig for equipment before bagging on him? He lists Livewires as his pickups. Aren't these active pickups? Therefore...sealed and no chance of steel wool getting into the magnets?

Would I clean my strings with steel wool, probably not. However, he was sharing info that he found WORKED for him, and was trying to pass that along to others. I'm all for having fun, and bustin' people in good humor, but this struck me as a little to harsh.

We all have to remember that not everyone always has $3 for a new set of strings, even if that seems like chump change to most of us. I deal with people most days who can't even afford to pay attention.

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

Wow! I didn't even think to check back on this thread to see if anybody had replied! This is actually pretty damn funny! JeffH has a point, I do have livewires, so the particles aren't an issue. Also, a minimum wage part time worker doesn't always have the money for strings. As far as playing, I usually play a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the evening, and I'm extremely anal about wiping my strings down EVERY TIME after I play. I change the rag I use out once a week. I always put my guitar back in the case when I'm done playing, and wipe down the body, back of the neck, and strings. They just seem to crap out on me really fast. I definitely appreciate all the tips though.

Edit: (in response to B2D) I think I've just run upon the guitar forum equivalent of an initiation ceremony! "You must endure the 13 planks of pain"

 

[Aceman]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

For the love of God!

WD-40!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

yeah bro's, definitely think I'm gonna' pass up the cheese on my burger and save up some change for that dunlop string cleaner B2D mentioned. Won't be using steel wool anytime soon...

 

[B2D]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

yeah bro's, definitely think I'm gonna' pass up the cheese on my burger and save up some change for that dunlop string cleaner B2D mentioned. Won't be using steel wool anytime soon...

Good idea. If you're running through strings that fast I can't imagine steel wool chewing on them will be of much help.

Your sweat just must be really acidic or something.... ?

Dab a little of that fluid on a cloth and pinch each string and a little bit of the cloth between your thumb and your index finger and run the cloth under and over the string for its entire playable length each time after you play. I've found that helps get rid of a lot of gunk.

Let us know how things go.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Cleaning rusty strings, it worked for me!

I buy strings by the ton and change them when I feel like it. I hate the feel of old strings. That's the main reason I don't use D'Addario's, they feel used and dead right out of that fancy plastic bag they peddle..