Tips on saving DINERO making gear last longer

**Russel** · 07-16-2008, 11:52 PM

I use denatured alcohol to clean mine. works like a charm, every time, and it even leaves them with that nice worn in feeling-but with new zing!

I've had the same set on my 4 for about 6 months. time for some new ones.

Beth: I made a really slick bracelet out of a B string once, by tying it in a slipknot around my arm, then bending the ends so it wouldn't slip out.

I sold it for 5 dollars.

I are good at that ingenuity thing.

**oli@bass** · 07-17-2008, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by kmk42019

Ive heard that soaking strings in denatured alcohol for a night cleans em' right up as new...havent personally tried it yet though

I do it all the time. Works very nice. And unlike boiling, you can do it as often as you like plus the strings stay "fresh" as long as new ones. I often do this after longer rehearsals and always after gigs.

Although I started this because of the money when I was a student (a bass string set used cost the equvalent of USD 80, about ten times as much as a guitar string set), I kept this habit because I hate to waste perfectly working material. However, after several months the strings will either break or not intonate properly anymore. Then it's time for a new set of Slinky's.

**koogie2k** · 07-17-2008, 05:20 AM

Not sure about home remedies....the small things are just not cost effective to me to come up with "home remedies"...picks...cheap.....strings....I don't boil them or anything...I just use Wonder Wipes on them....good to go.

I did make my own strap....but....it was not cheap. Just didn't have anything better to do and I had some leather hanging around the house.

What you have to do is budget. Stop doing certain things to finance something else. I used to be a Starbucks hound....stopped going...saved a bunch of money. Case in point...my caramel latte would run $4.78. I had one a day...everyday. Take that times 31...see what you come up with.

**adouglas** · 07-17-2008, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by T-bone

Handcuffs. A whip.

No wait, I'm in the wrong forum.

tbone

No, you're not.

**MrMusashi** · 07-17-2008, 02:32 PM

&)/$%

that picture shows up in the darndest threads!!

MrM

**AtomicPunk** · 07-17-2008, 04:03 PM

One thing that I do is that I never, ever buy straplocks.
Although I leave the strap with the bass and never take it off....I go to the hardware store and buy a handful of metal washers (about a buck) that fit over the bottom of the strap button, but not the top.
Put on washer, put on strap, screw strap button back in, presto! Strap won't come off and I saved myself about 30 bucks.

**Aussie Mark** · 07-17-2008, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by AtomicPunk

Put on washer, put on strap, screw strap button back in, presto! Strap won't come off and I saved myself about 30 bucks.

If I used your washer and "one strap per bass" method, I'd need 10 straps, which would cost me around $500. Straplocks are way cheaper for me.

**Jimmyb** · 07-18-2008, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by Aussie Mark

If I used your washer and "one strap per bass" method, I'd need 10 straps, which would cost me around $500. Straplocks are way cheaper for me.

Buy cheaper straps.

Or use string.

You know, the stuff you use to hang the corks off you hat with.

**Aussie Mark** · 07-18-2008, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jimmyb

Buy cheaper straps.

I'm more comfortable with one good quality $50 strap and straplocks on every bass, than 10 x $5 straps

**sloshep** · 07-18-2008, 04:06 PM

I have been thinking about this and this came to mind.....

**phatduckk** · 07-18-2008, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by TNT

Get rid of your cable TV - that'll keep you in strings indefinitely - and, whats more important??

...

Skip the fast food.

Skip Starbucks one day a week.

dude. that's flat out crazy talk!!!! no cable? no starbucks? cmon