The ShadowMusic Web Community

This topic is triggered by an email from UK company Strings Direct.
https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/blog/gu ... -to-us.%5D
Lots of sensible advice there, but they've missed out one obvious recycling method - boiling old strings before re-use.
Yes, I've raised this topic before, followed by the usual chorus of "Why bother? Strings are cheap enough anyway", but in these more eco-conscious days, maybe its time has come.
Boiling (with a drop of washing-up liquid) will never bring back the 'zing' of a brand-new set, but the boiled strings sound fresh once perspiration and other gunge has been removed. That 'new string zing' never lasts very long anyway.
If you plan ahead, best not to trim a new set when fitting - you might want to put them (after boiling) on a guitar with a Bigsby.
Ray

I fully get the benefit of boiling basic guitar strings. Getting the gunge off can only be a good thing if you want to extend the strings’ life for a while.

What about coated strings? I use Elixirs. Does boiling do anything for their longevity?

PS - I usually put my plectrums through the complete washing machine cycle. It’s never intentional ...

Since I´m using Elixir strings, I only have to change them once a year - or even less.