strings2000's Bass String Snappin Megathread!

No, but I boil all of my denim

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When I was a teenager and in my early twenties, I played more bass than electric guitar.

I had very little money and it took a lot of effort to get to the music store which was 10 miles away without a car or a bus route.

I did indeed boil my bass strings from time to time and IIRC, it did actually improve the lifespan in terms of brightness and tone because huge amounts of grease, dirt and dead skin come out of the thick windings. They certainly looked cleaner.

What was left behind in the water was really gross.

But anyway, if you play bass a lot and can't easily afford new strings or don't have easy access to a new set of strings, then from my experience in the 1980s, I'd say it's worth doing. But only if you've had the strings on for the best part of a year or more.
 
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My friend, band mate and bass player used to boil his string back in the early 90s when we were teens with little money.
It actually worked. I'd say he could do it a couple of times before buying new strings.

I might remember it wrong but I think the used to put some vinegar in the water.
 
The breaking point of a string is never exact. That's what makes it fascinating. A bass 105 can break anywhere from B1 to D2.

We need more exact numbers. What's the percentage of them breaking at B1, C1, C#1 and D1? You possibly need to expand your experiments for a while to come. Make sure to wear protective glasses and gloves while you do.
 
We need more exact numbers. What's the percentage of them breaking at B1, C1, C#1 and D1? You possibly need to expand your experiments for a while to come. Make sure to wear protective glasses and gloves while you do.
Strings have a range. A 105 will break from 100 to 120 pounds of tension for example. Each Brand is slightly different.
 
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