Mar 26, 2020 before you apply the rubbing alcohol, wipe your item with a clean, damp rag to get rid of any dirt or grease. I know people say to use a cloth to wipe the rosin off the strings after each time you play. If youre a guitarist, do you clean your guitar strings. Isopropyl alcohol for reel cleaning bass fishing forums. I played bass in a hard rock band for 20 years, and i did boil each set of strings between each gig and it did work. After every set i wipe down the strings with the rag and alcohol.
When it gets to the point that it affects the sound, thats when you get out the rubbing alcohol and a cloth or paper towel. Get a thin tube that can hold your strings, fill with alcohol and shake a bit. Generally speaking and depending on the bass, the dirt, the age and type of varnish, there are a few good, safe ways to clean an upright. To clean guitar strings, start by resting your guitar on its back so you have both hands free to work. If deeper cleaning of the strings is needed, apply rubbing alcohol to the cloth and wipe with that. I do wipe off my violin and strings after i play it but after about a month the rosin build up on the strings drives me crazy. If you dont want to remove your strings and soak them, you need to use this denatured alcohol. Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean the body of your guitar. Make your own electronics screen cleaner for pennies. Can you use rubbing alcohol to clean the body of your. Cleaning upright bass strings cleaning your metal wrapped upright bass strings is a good way to keep them sounding good for a longer time. Can i use rubbing alcohol to clean rosin off of violin. Feb 20, 2009 by far the best method to clean bass strings is to soak them in denatured alcohol.
Denatured alcohol can also be used to clean the strings of your bass guitar. You can also use this to clean the fingerboard underneath and around the string. Then put a moist section of the cloth between your index finger and thumb and pinch one string at a time, rubbing the cloth up and down along. So take the strings off, rub with alcohol and then put in the oven for a few mins to dry. Sep 03, 2006 with the strings on the bass to keep them clean. In some parts of the world denatured alcohol is called methylated spirits caution. Isopropyl alcohol, commonly called rubbing alcohol, doesnt work nearly as well. Remove the strings from the instrument and soak them in denatured alcohol for 12 to 24 hours. I really really need to clean my fiddle strings but i dont have any proper string cleaner. I wouldnt suggest doing this before you play because it will change the temperature of the strings and knock them out of tune, temporarily. There can be a lot of grunge on the body and fingerboard.
Wipe your item gently with the rag to get rid of any stains and sterilize it. First, one should never use a commercial furniture spray polish or wax on a good bass. Sep 18, 2014 isopropyl in 70%, or 99% concentration is an effective solvent with the only drawback being the odor. Ocassinally, they would last longer after boiling and then rubbing alcohol wiping then when new. When you consider how much more bass guitar strings cost, it makes. That said, i do not think it will clean the strings when they are already that far gone. Cleaning your bass guitar electronics are the electronics on your bass crackling. Not only is it cheap, but its effective as a degreaser, disinfectant, and a general cleaner. The finish on the wood and hardware shows every fingerprint. Cleaning your bass guitar is the most basic of maintenance jobs, and the first step is to wash your hands. With its enhanced ability to remove all sorts of grease and oils, isopropyl alcohol provides the next level of indepth cleaning.
Out of the many things that i have heard of people using to clean their strings, i currently posses. You can use cotton swabs and clean the strings, and wood polish to clean the fretboard. Now, completely dry off the strings with a clean dry cloth, and then install them back on the guitar. In order to clean the strings, you can simply use a towel or a cleaning kit. I have used rubbing alcohol on my strings between virtually every gig i have ever played in my adult life. You can finish this cleaning by carefully moistening the same cloth with a little rubbing alcohol. The rosin on the strings is even more of a problem for violas and cellos. First, rubbing alcohol is not pure isopropyl alcohol. Pure alcohol can be used to remove more stubborn rosin buildup on strings, although extreme caution must be taken. While scientific evidence has shown that proper washing of wounds along with the use of isopropyl alcohol is a good way to clean wounds and keep them infected, research has also shown that some peoples bodies dont react well to the substance.
Rubbing alcohol, as from a drugstore, has water mixed in it. Then, rinse your cloth and dampen it with rubbing alcohol. Let the alcohol sink into the cloth for a few seconds. For guitars with steel strings, put 70 to 90% rubbing alcohol, preshaving gel, or a commercial cleaner on your towel. Can i use rubbing alcohol to clean my frets and fretboard. Dont substitute anything else to clean your bass strings. You need to know how to properly clean a bass guitar if you want yours to last for years to come. First, one should never use a commercial furniture spray polish or wax on a. Rubbing alcohol wont hurt maple as must as rosewood.
Nobody ever let me touch their bass because they knew what i would do to their strings. No doubt the rust and grime has made its way into the core. Why rubbing alcohol is better for cleaning even better. I am 63, and when i was in my teens, guitar strings were as or more expensive then they are today. I dont know but i suspect that soaking in anything would only be good for all metal strings. It has really helped to keep my strings lasting longer. Whats up everybody, im scott from stringjoy guitar strings, and today were coming at you with a short video talking about whether or not its a good idea to use isopropyl rubbing alcohol to clean your guitars strings, and get longer life out of a set of guitar strings. I have heard that people use rubbing alcohol to do it and that it is more effective. The other cleaning method i use is to run some 0000 steel wool over the strings before i. I carry a small bottle of rubbing alcohol and a clean rag in my guitar case.
Put a few drops of the alcohol on a clean cloth and rub the strings. How to clean guitar strings and fretboard guitar tricks blog. When standard oil made this product, chemists realized that it had unique household properties that could make it a wonder chemical for health and home. If youre at all familiar with this concept, you probably saw it on a.
What boiling the strings does is simply loosen and release the grime you cant get to. It clips over the strips to clean the strings from both sides, and uses microfiber pads to remove and hold debris without having to use any cleaning solution. Just apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to a cotton swab, swipe it across your device, then buff it dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Isopropyl in 70%, or 99% concentration is an effective solvent with the only drawback being the odor. Its far too harsh a drying agent and could damage a board that hasnt previously been taken care of. Alosinac uses isopropyl alcohol at times, but only on the strings and unfinished fretboards e. Some of the information is helpful, but the instructions say to clean the keyboard and its keys with rubbing alcohol on several cotton swabs. Your perspiration chemistry will determine how well these hold up to standard. Sep 30, 20 how to get new bass strings in 2 minutes. I boil my strings with rubbing alcohol and i notice a big difference every time for decades.
Cleaning guitar strings is a great way to get longer life and better performance out of your strings. Can i use alcohol to remove rosin from bass strings. There are two reasons why rubbing alcohol may cause stains. If you play your bass regularly, it needs to be cleaned regularly, and each part of the bass requires. Dont clean your keyboard with alcohol as described. But using a couple drops of rubbing alcohol available in any pharmacy on a cotton cloth is even better. Boilingwashing used guitarbass strings is it worthwhile. Acetone to clean strings bass guitar harmony central. John carruthers will show you the best way to clean your bass guitar. Basically the idea is you use regular isopropyl rubbing alcohol, put it onto a cotton swab or some sort of cleaning cloth, and use it to clean your. Amazon brand solimo 91% isopropyl alcohol first aid antiseptic, 32 fl oz pack of 6 4. Being young, my partner terry and i had little money.
Alosinac uses isopropyl alcohol at times, but only on the strings and. Fretboard if you care you didnt mention the fretboard but i can assume that it may come up, especially if you happen to get some rubbing alcohol on the strings and potentially the fretboard. How to disinfect musical instruments during covid19. A bass player i know says he wipes his strings down with a little bit of rubbing alcohol. The rotosound string cleaner works for all 4 or 5string bass guitars and promises to revitalize old strings and preserve the life and tone of. Feb 18, 2006 whoever mentioned rubbing alcohol for strings is correct.
Without removing the strings from your bass and without any kind of cleaning products do try this at home. Denatured alcohol, or methylated spirits, has no water in it. I find myself after i put on a new set of strings that i always wipe my strings down after i play because i want that new string sound to last for as long as i can make it. Sep 06, 2017 over time, bass strings get grime pushed into them. If your guitar has nylon strings, use a dry or slightly damp towel to wipe off any dirt or grime. Id only use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the electrical contacts of a dirty jack or pot, and then only lightly applied to a qtip. I cant imagine playing a gig without doing it with the same old strings on from the gig before. But is cleaning guitar strings with rubbing alcohol a good idea, as many have said. By far the best method to clean bass strings is to soak them in denatured alcohol. You dont want to put water on your bass strings like i warned in the boiling bass strings article. You can also clean the bow by wiping it with a clean cloth. Hi, i have been cleaning my violin strings with rubbing alcohol and i was wondering if it will shorten the life of my strings. So the least you should do is keep those fingerprints clean the next few sections walk you through cleaning the various parts of your bass, one by one.
Rubbing alcohol may dry out the wood of the fingerboard, and may damage certain. The life of these treblebass strings are totally dependent on use. For at least 30 years, i have kept a little eyedrop bottle filled with rubbing alcohol in each instrument case. There is an article on this site that gives instructions for cleaning a computer, inside and out. You need to just buy a new set of strings, although you could boil them in rubbing alcohol, some people swear by it. Cleaning your guitar strings is easy and can extend their life as well as feel. Whoever mentioned rubbing alcohol for strings is correct.
But really, unless you always play with your hands dirty andor swet a lot, wiping down after playing should make your strings last until you want to replace them because of wear. Some manufacturers recommend a polish as in a few examples above but note their suggestion of a clean, dry cloth for cleaning the body. John carruthers shows you how to clean your bass electronics. I have been cleaning my strings by just running a cloth up and down the part of the string covered in rosin. The best ways to clean string instruments maids by trade. Your best bet is to use a triedandtested string cleaner and lubricant. If youre a guitarist, do you clean your guitar strings with.
Although rubbing alcohol is very effective for removing some types of stains, such as paint, ink or tree sap, it can also cause stains of its own. No matter how careful you are, your bass guitar is bound to collect battle scars. Aug 08, 2007 yes rubbing alcohol isopropyl alcohol is bad for your guitars fretboard. You can wipe down the strings and a rosewood fingerboard with alcohol, but i wouldnt wipe down the body or back of the neck with alcohol typically, if theres gunk on the fretboard, ill get it off with rubbing. As a result, many people use rubbing alcohol on a daily. Check out the can i use rubbing alcohol to clean my strings. When we play guitar or bass, our hands and fingers touch almost every part of. Can i use rubbing alcohol to clean rosin off of violin strings.
You can also wipe the upper part of the strings to get the sweat from your hands off. Were dedicated to making the highest quality guitar and bass strings. Since alcohol damages the violins varnish, however, it is very important to use a bare minimum so that nothing drips onto the instrument. And no matter how often you clean your strings, once grime gets in there, its very difficult to get out. Rubbing alcohol is a very useful product for cleaning. You will be amazed at how well cleaning your bass strings this way works. Im not sure i would soak ti flats due to the silk wrap under the flat ribbon and im not sure soaking coated strings would do anything good to them. Electric bass nickel plated steel with nanoweb coating. In some parts of the world denatured alcohol is called methylated spirits. Over time a persistent rosin deposit may build up on the area where you bow that doesnt come off with a dry rag. Wipe up any excess rubbing alcohol with a clean rag. My grandfather used to run it through a loaf of bread and drink it.
Sep, 2012 hi, i have been cleaning my violin strings with rubbing alcohol and i was wondering if it will shorten the life of my strings. Isopropyl alcohol was invented in the 1920s and has been available for home use since the 1930s or so. Dont clean your keyboard with alcohol as described in the microsoft article. I clean my sunbeams with iso wipes without taking them off the bass but that is just general cleaning. Keeping the strings clean of excess rosin on violins, violas, and cellos is something ive been concerned with for over half a century. Rubbing alcohol, if it gets on the guitars neck, can end up sucking. Since alcohol damages the violins varnish, however, it is very important to use a. In most situations, using rubbing alcohol to clean your guitar strings isnt.
570 752 937 1079 356 297 359 1000 1623 216 492 683 568 553 401 909 1486 55 1245 400 1378 646 1514 1197 457 1259 1401 283 391 785 291 1226 1478 478 234 988 271 1163 1492 530 1340 53 517