Boiling Guitar Strings
Have you ever heard of the old trick of boiling your guitar strings? This method is used more by bass guitar players, however acoustic, lead, and rhythm guitar players have used it as well. This little trick goes back some years in the music industry, especially amongst session's players of old. When you boil a guitar string, it causes the string to expand, and thus allows the oil and dirt to be released from the string.
While boiling your guitar strings will make your old, flat sounding strings sound much better, they will not make them sound as new. This is an assumption that many make, but after 25 plus-years in the business I can tell you--this is not the case. However, boiling your old strings will make them sound much better, allowing you to get more use from them. Moreover, boiling new guitar strings before you string them on your guitar will help with the stretching process as well as allow better tone and tension.
Boiling your old, used strings can cause them to produce a much sharper, crispier, and springier tone. You will be surprised at the amount of dirt and oil you will extract from your strings in the boiling process. Once you have finished, the water in the pan will show the results. Below I will illustrate the steps and the process; but first, I will list the items you will need and how to prepare the strings.
What you will need:
- One set of new or used strings (coiled)
- One sauce pan
- Tin foil
- Regular fork
- Kitchen tongs
- A clean cloth towel
A Recipe for Better Sound
Step 1: If the strings you will be boiling are new, leave them coiled. If you are boiling old, used strings, coil them tight enough to fit in to the sauce pan.
Step 2: Fill the sauce pan with water. (Note: Many musicians use regular tap water; however, with the amount of chemicals and minerals that is found in tap water today, I use only distilled water.) Once you have filled the pan with water, place it on your stove with the burner on high.
Step 3: Once the water is boiling, carefully lay in the coiled strings in the water one at a time. (I use tongs to drop the strings in as well as remove them from the water).
Step 4: You should boil acoustic or electric guitar strings for only 3 to 5 minutes. If you go any longer than this, you risk relieving the tensile-strength of the string material. Bass guitar strings should be boiled for 10 to 15 minutes, but no more than 15 minutes.
Step 5: Once the time has elapsed, remove the strings from the water and lay them on a clean towel (Do not use paper towels). Using the towel, dry the strings thoroughly removing as much water as possible.
Step 6: Next, preheat your oven to its lowest temperature. (Shoot for approximately 200 to 225 degrees).
Step 7: While your oven is preheating, wrap the coiled strings in the tin foil (Two strings to a foil) and use the fork to perforate the foil several times. This will allow the air to circulate inside the foil, drying the strings thoroughly.
 |
 |
Step 8: Once the oven is preheated, place the strings in the oven letting them dry for 15 minutes.
Step 9: Once the elapsed time has passed, remove the strings from the oven and let them stand until they are cool to the touch.
Step 10: Restring them on your guitar.
NOTE: There are risks
There are some risks when it comes to boiling guitar strings. One such risk pertains to cheap strings. If you are using cheap guitar strings, you would be better advised to simply purchase new ones. Boiling cheap strings (with their inherently low tensile strength) will make the strings much more brittle, and thus more susceptible to breakage. Also, it is recommended that you boil your guitar strings no more than twice. If you continue to boil strings (expensive or otherwise) the tensile strength will be reduced. Also, another risk to boiling guitar strings too many times is that they will require more tension to stay in tune, possibly causing damage to the neck of your guitar.
The best recommendation is to buy good quality guitar strings, boil them only a few times when needed, and then replace them with new ones. This will keep you and your guitar sounding good while saving you some money.
Written by Keith Andrews
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">app download</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">app download</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">Apk download</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">Apk download</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">android apk</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">android apk</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">android app</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">android app</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">Apk download</a>
xapkshop.com
<a href="https://xapkshop.com">Apk download</a>
xapkshop.com
telegram APk Download https://xapkshop.com/details/1522601987
xapkshop.com
telegram APk Download https://xapkshop.com/details/1522601987
Robuje
In today's rapid world, staying informed about the latest updates both domestically and globally is more essential than ever. With a plethora of news outlets competing for attention, it's important to find a trusted source that provides not just news, but insights, and stories that matter to you. This is where <a href=https://www.usatoday.com/>USAtoday.com </a>, a top online news agency in the USA, stands out. Our dedication to delivering the most current news about the USA and the world makes us a go-to resource for readers who seek to stay ahead of the curve.
Subscribe for Exclusive Content: By subscribing to <a href=https://www.usatoday.com/>USAtoday.com</a>, you gain access to exclusive content, newsletters, and updates that keep you ahead of the news cycle.
<a href=https://www.usatoday.com/>USAtoday.com </a> is not just a news website; it's a dynamic platform that enables its readers through timely, accurate, and comprehensive reporting. As we navigate through an ever-changing landscape, our mission remains unwavering: to keep you informed, engaged, and connected. Subscribe to us today and become part of a community that values quality journalism and informed citizenship.
All the Americans whining about saving "a few bucks" on their beginner-range EB super slinkies...a decent set of strings for a 5 string bass sets me back 55-65€. So it's worth prolonging their lifespan if it's an option.
"...another risk to boiling guitar strings too many times is that they will require more tension to stay in tune, possibly causing damage to the neck of your guitar."
This is superstitious baloney. String pitch is based on tension divided by mass (Physics 101). Unless boiling is magically adding mass to your string, then there is no need to be concerned here.
And decreased tensile string does NOT mean increased tension is required; it just means your strings might be more prone to break or stretch. And if they stretch, then that's LESS mass per inch of string and would require LOOSENING the strings to keep them in tune.
EVH never used olive oil
I’m not sure where the idea that EVH boiled his strings in olive oil or that Ernie Ball sent him pre-boiled strings every night for shows came from. Neither is true. There is no interview or any evidence that supports that either thing ever happened. Edward and his tech Rudy Leiren gave specific details about the process that they used for boiling strings in recently unearthed uncut audio interviews, but they specified that they boiled them in water only for 20 minutes, dried them in the sun and then put them on Eddie’s Floyd Rose equipped guitars only. This process was not done for the standard Fender vibrato equipped guitars that Eddie used from 1976 through early 1980 or for stop tail Gibson style guitars like his Ibanez Destroyer.
boiling bass strings
sure, boiled em plenty o'times. delouses em but good. but if i had the cash, i would have bought new strings.
Guitar string
I played off and on for many years does anybody really make a good guitar string anymore it seems lately that after you stretch the string several times you still have to keep it in tune maybe I'm heavy-handed I don't know I'll try boy on them to see what happens my only question is how long do you boil them dude boiling for 1 minute 5 minutes or more than 5 minutes a suggestions thank you
You don't just boil your strrings; you cook them with detergent!
The point is to remove all the accumulated grease from your fingers!
Seems to me if Eddie Van Halen boiled his strings it was more for his tone he was such a tone junkie anybody that knows music can tell that from all of his cool sounds on his guitar probably the best tone junkie that ever lived!!!