[GuitarGatorGuy]

I had a buddy who used to take the new strings out of the packaging, get a pot of water boiling, and would drop the strings in there for a while. Then he would restring the guitar. I think he said that this took the stretching out of them and that he didn't have to retune as much up front. I read some other thread about boiling strings, but it seemed like this was a cheap way to "recycle" used strings by cleaning them up and then restringing them. While I'm not interested in reusing the old strings, I was wondering if anybody else saw any sense in boiling brand new strings before putting them on.

[Rockerbob]

makes no sense to me. If the strings are installed right, they stay in tune just fine when new.

[si16]

I've read that Eddie Van Halen does this for much the same reasons. Seems like too much trouble to me.

[allthumbs]

Seems like a lot of trouble for a small gain.

[frewgosh]

Hi GGG. This made me laugh. My old auntie used to boil coal with potatos and I never figured out why she did it. Sounds like your pal might have known the answer to that LOL. I can see no gain in this whatsoever, it would probably ruin a good set of strings. When I put a new set on I give each string the big bend all the way up the fretboard. I then tune the guitar and let it sit for a wee while. When I go back to it later, I tune it up and it usually holds good with not too much adjusting.

[737blues]

Might help sterilise them if you're paranoid ........

[Andy S]

Originally Posted by si16

I've read that Eddie Van Halen does this for much the same reasons. Seems like too much trouble to me.

Sorry! I have to chuckle....Think about it. When was the last time Eddie V had to change his own strings?!?

Seriously, A lot of them come in sealed bags to avoid the air. Why subject them to extreme temperatures and moisture? If the manufacturer printed it on the packaging, yeh, then maybe I'd believe it. But I've never seen anything like that ....ever.

Save your time and strings and follow manufacturer directions. Put 'em on and play!

Have Fun!!

[EFinFLA]

Mmmmm....string soup!

[cshude]

I've also heard of soaking your strings in lighter fluid before stringing (specifically for electric strings). Never tried it, likely never will. A good stretching during the stringing process and a couple tuneups during the first couple hours of playing on new strings seems to set them in place pretty good for me.

[coldethyl]

Originally Posted by Andy S

Sorry! I have to chuckle....Think about it. When was the last time Eddie V had to change his own strings?!?

That conjures up all sorts of hilarious images in my mind.

Wolfgang Van Halen comes downstairs for breakfast and there's his dad with a big wooden spoon stirring a big cast iron pot full of guitar strings.
Wolfgang looks at his dad and asks: "So, whats for breakfast dad?" Eddie looks up at his son, grins and looks back at the pot.

Funny what one's imagination can do 'eh.

[Tekker]

I tried boiling a used set once just to see if it did anything.... They broke before they were even close to the correct tension.

Maybe I cooked them too long, but the recipe didn't state whether the strings were supposed to be rare or well-done.

-tkr

[coldethyl]

Originally Posted by Tekker

Maybe I cooked them too long, but the recipe didn't state whether the strings were supposed to be rare or well-done.

-tkr

[mattz196]

As we are in a serious drought here down under I would have have to condemn this practice as a wicked waste of water , at the very least throw a little pasta in at the same time to make this waste worthwhile , take care though as chomping on a D string plays havoc with ones dentures or teeth for those that still have them.

[The Ethical]

Noodling anyone ?

[MCH]

Originally Posted by The Ethical

Noodling anyone ?