I don’t know man. As much as I dislike flats, dead rounds sound way worse to me 
3 Likes
Not dead, just really dirt up. ABBA bassist is known to put on a new set of strings and give it to has pal to play for a few years to break it in, 
3 Likes
Elixir does not offer short scale strings, unfortunately 
There are phases I do that … and then forget about it!
If it is only an issue of dirt and grime, then I’m hopeful that using an ultrasonic cleaner will resolve the issue. Those are pretty thorough with no impact on the “integrity” of the strings.
If it is a case of material fatigue (unlikely), then of course cleaning does not help…
1 Like
Sure you can.
BTW … Decree No. 5 of 24 November 1830 concerning the eternal exclusion of the Orange-Nassau family from any power in Belgium is a Belgian legislative act prohibiting the possibility of a member of the Dutch royal house, namely the Orange-Nassau family, holding public office in Belgium. It is one of the three constitutional texts in Belgium, adopted by the National Congress on 24 November 1830.
Well, the war occured between 1830 and 1833.
It began with the riots of 25 August 1830 in Brussels following the performance of the play La Muette de Portici at the Théâtre de la Monnaie. Despite an armistice imposed by the major European powers at the London Conference on 4 November 1830, fighting resumed on 2 August 1831 during the attempt by the King of the Netherlands, William I, to reconquer his territories during the episode of the Ten Days’ Campaign. It ended with the signing of the Convention of Zonhoven on 18 November 1833, which put an end to the official clashes.
Belgium is free from the protestants since a while.
4 Likes
Ha - in Holland we say: Holland is free from Belgium 
But, to be honest - we still have Brabant … and not to forget: Zuid Limburg. Both are Belgium by Heart.
You cannot be more catholic … or Karnevals Lovers (basically the same thing!) than the Southerners…
That was quite cunning of you, I have to admit! I wish we could give you Willem Alexander … but we get to keep Maxima
2 Likes
We do love Maastricht … it was part of the principality of Liège
Well … Brabant is Brussels suburbs for us … I must admit that dutch speakers decided that Brabant had to be split between “Vlaams Brabant” and “Brabant wallon”.
Limburg ? Well, no comment But we also lost a part of Luxembourg at the same time.
But we all created Benelux after. 
We can the roots of EU.
1 Like
Ok, I do love Liege. But I love Anvers more … cause “Café d’Anvers”, if it still exists.
In fact: you can get Brabant, if we get Vlamingen
Yeah - nothing is more “Luxe” than Benelux. Except Lux Interior (The Cramps)
1 Like
Should still exist … but it’s strange than it wasn’t relabeled. It’s too “frenchy”. Vlamingen prefer to call the “Ancienne Belgique” in Brussels … the AB. Not a coincidence.
But these language issues are too insignificant for me. Or else, it’s probably a sign that we’re living well because we have nothing more important to argue about.
2 Likes
I have severe language “issues” with Belgium since you started winning the “Groot Dictee der Nederlandse Taal”, proving that you know our language better than us. (WTF?)
And we - sore losers that we are - banned it from TV to radio, consequently!
That’s why I went into German exile, in fact
1 Like
Ok, the ultrasonic cleaner came and I tested it with my travel bass strings. They should be reasonably dirty!
Before:
It fits perfectly in the ultrasonic cleaner:
After:
I don’t know if you can see it from the pictures, but before they were not very shiny and you could see some potential bodily fluids between the threads.
Now it’s all shiny and a DNA test failed.
That’s promising!
2 Likes
So you still don’t know who the father is?
4 Likes
From the look of some of my strings, the father(s) were a swinger party
1 Like
I really don’t think I want to know what you do with those basses. Best case scenario here imo is some kind of performative GG Allin thing.
2 Likes
1 Like
Ahahaha that’s awesome and I’d forgotten completely about that.
1 Like
Boiling the strings is supposed to help clean out the gunk and allow you to use them again. Here’s what I’ve read.
How to Boil Bass Strings
Boiling bass strings is an old-school trick for removing the grime on your strings and improving their sound. It might sound a little out there, but it works!
When you boil your bass strings, they expand and release all the dirt and oil that builds up on them. The sound goes from dull and lifeless to bright and crisp.
Some bassists boil their strings to make the strings last longer. However, you can only do this once or twice per set of strings before the strings get weak and run the risk of snapping.
To boil your strings, you’ll need:
- A set of strings
- A saucepan
- Tongs
- A clean cloth towel
The first step is to remove the strings from your bass and coil them individually. Make sure that they’re tight enough that they’ll fit in the saucepan.
Next, fill the saucepan with water and place it on your stovetop. Turn the burner on high. Once the water starts to boil, use the kitchen tongs to place the coiled strings into the saucepan.
Let them boil for ten to fifteen minutes—don’t let them boil longer than that.
Lay your towel on a flat surface. When the time is up, use the tongs to remove them from the water and lay them on the towel. After a minute or two, they should be cool enough to touch.
Once you can touch them safely, uncoil them, lay them on the towel, and pat them dry to remove any excess water.
Only put the strings back onto your bass when they are completely dry.
Reply of the Year!! ROFL!!
1 Like
Boiling strings is what we did back in the 60s when we were broke. You mean you guys are still broke? Start charging for gigs then will ya’ or we’ll all be broke. 
3 Likes
It’s that damn ‘beer tab’ gets you every time 
LOL
2 Likes
I would be reluctant to heat metals as this possibly changes the properties of the material.
That is why I prefere the ultrasonic cleaning method…
I am broke again … after a long phase of prosperity. Life is all ups and downs…
1 Like