• Will Austin
• Camilo Estrada: Not a String Boiler

What’s this about boiling strings? Do you boil your strings?
Camilo: No. I don’t boil my strings. I’ve heard of other bass players doing it to refresh their sound. I did used to burn my fingers though, to toughen them up. I wouldn’t recommend that. It’s kind of stupid.

Who boils their strings?
I personally don’t know anyone that does it. If you really need to save money, I guess you can do that. Maybe I’m too lazy. I should try it.

How does boiling them in water make them sound better?
When the acito-coline membrane of the inner tubule is brought to the boiling point, the coils recoil and are able to produce clean frequencies again.

Seriously?
No. Just kidding. I think boiling them would just get all the dirt and grime and grease build up off the strings. I’ve heard it works, but that it only lasts for a short time. Then they’re dead again. It depends on what kind of sound you want. Some bass players like a deader, rounder sound. Like Funk Brothers’ James Jamerson from Motown, he never changed his strings. He liked that tone. You should see Standing in the Shadows of Motown, it’s great. For players that slap and go for a higher, super bright sound, maybe they boil their strings. Like fusion players, Victor Wooten or Stanley Clarke who use some thinner strings.

What kind of strings do you play? How often do you change them?
I use D’Addario XL Medium Brights. They’re punchy and maintain a tight sound on the low B string. It can get a little unclear down there. But the D’Addarios keep a really defined sound. I change them every four to six weeks or so.

How was playing with Dyme Def at Bumbershoot?
That was fun. They have incredible stage energy. It’s always fun to be a part of a show that draws people in. Luckily, the weather cooperated with us that day. I love their song "2 Go". The live band played it with this dance hall type feel, which was different from the recording, but they liked it and went with it. And their song “Get Down”, they’ve been doing that one for a while, but playing it with a live band really rejuvenated it for them.

How was backing Dyme Def different from backing Blue Scholars? Did the band (Big World Breaks) do anything differently?
We didn’t necessarily do anything different. When there’s material to learn, I approach shows the same way. I’ll learn the parts at home, and practice it on my own, however long it takes to learn the stuff. The other guys in Big World Breaks are the same way, everyone learns the parts on their own, then we’ll come together for rehearsals as a band and work it out.

Was the Dyme Def stuff tricky?
They were particular and detailed about certain breaks, and parts where stuff cuts out. With a live band, it’s not going to sound exactly like the CD, but we approximated, and added the live element. It was exciting to hear and play their music that way. There were more layers with the live band. I think they were happy. I’d love to do it again.

You have a new band right?
Yes. Devon Lewis on drums, Owuor Arunga on trumpet, Andy Coe on guitar, and Gary Palmer on keys. We’re called TRIUMPH. It’s some funk, jazz, and latin. We hit on some drum n bass with it too.

How is it playing with Devon? That guy is an absolute monster. Watching him play is like riding a roller coaster.
Yeah, he’s a monster, really adept. We have a show November 12th at Waid’s on 12th and Jefferson.

Will you be burning your fingers for that show?
No. No finger burning. But Waid’s will be cooking up the Akra Fritters - sautéed shallots, taro root vegetables, and black eyed peas. So good. Waid’s is a cool spot. The best Haitian eats in town.

See a man in a Jaco Pastorius hat boil his bass strings after the jump.