Guitar Strings Problem! NEED HELP!
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Posted on Jul 24, 2004 12:32 am
Ben Elliott
Member Since: Jul 12, 2004
Hey everyone. I've been encountering and ongoing problem with my guitar strings lately. I've tried numerous different companies, and they all sound great. But then, about three days after I put them on, they losse all of thier tinny sound, thier high end. After three days, everything sounds completely dead. Does anybody know if this is normal, or if there's something I can do to fix it? Thanks.
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guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jul 24, 2004 12:52 am Some people have more "sweat acid" stuff in their hands than others, and that may be a factor. Also, if you are going to sit down and play for a while, its a good thing to simply wash your hands first. This will give alot of life to your strings . Cleaning your strings after you have played a while will also help. pinching a paper towel with some wd-40 and pulling it across the strings is a cool remedy, especially for the non-wound strings. You may be amazed at the tarry black-ness you will pull off of them.
Also dont buy crap strings. Elixir strings are more expensive, but last twice as long for tone.
I use D'aDarrio XL's, and have for years, my hands dont sweat much though.
For acoustic, the elixirs are the deal, period.
Jul 24, 2004 12:57 am hey guitwizz i asked some people here about brass strings once but no one could remember ever playing on them. i know i once had a pair on my acoustic, though, and i was wondering: what happened to them, and what do you think of them?
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jul 24, 2004 09:19 am You only had a pair on there?
LOL!!
We carried brass strings for a while, but it was a cheap brand. I tried them once, and cut them right off. I havent seen anyone carry any brass brands for a long time.
I do remember that they are supposed to be real bright, but the ones I tried were real dead.
Jul 24, 2004 11:13 am I seem to have a problem with sweaty fingers especially when I play live and I'm all nervous and stuff. My strings would routinely become dead sounding and feel 'playdoughy' making it hard on my technique. About a year ago, I started applying lem oil on my fretboard on every string change and I think that helps alot although not completely. Guitwizz, I'll have to try your wd40 trick.
As far as brand of strings goes, I use Ernie Ball reg slinky (10's)
Jul 24, 2004 12:18 pm hahaha i meant "set of six" not a pair. what;s wrong with me.
yes, my brass strings were EXTREMELY bright.i couldnt believe it. it was like playing a harpsichord; i loved it. no one carries them anymore.
Jul 24, 2004 02:10 pm Personally I use Ernie Ball hybred slinkeys. They last me about 2 weeks.
Jul 24, 2004 02:31 pm Fender Ultra Light Strings..the bomb.
Love Em on the strat for the classic twang..
Coco
drakeMember
Since: Apr 13, 2004
Jul 24, 2004 04:01 pm martin sp+ medium/light
amazing tone and crisp high.
all phosphor bronze, even the b and e
so nice
guitwizzNothing doesnt give me gasMember
Since: May 25, 2004
Jul 24, 2004 04:03 pm Mike,
The lemon oil, or any oil makes your strings go deader faster..... haha is those words?
Anyway, wd is a lighter oil than that oil, and really, windex works good too, with no residual left. You really should only oil the fretboard with anything when you are changing strings, so strings dont get any oil on them.
DanMember
Since: Nov 21, 2002
Jul 24, 2004 04:37 pm remember to wipe your strings down with a polishing cloth after just about every time you play it. Keep it in its case when not in use. They also sell this stuff called fast fret, its used in a similar fashion to guitwizz's wd40 (and a lot more expensive, most likely yields the same results so just listen to him)
Jul 24, 2004 04:59 pm yeah, I only apply lem oil during string changes with all the strings off. I think the reason it helps me is because I no longer have all that grimey gunk between my frets. Also if nothing else it gives the rosewood a nice healthy glow :)
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Jul 25, 2004 11:27 am I've found that the Blue Steel strings stay nice and bright for a long time without any extra care. I like the electric guitar strings, but I tried a set on my bass one time, and it stayed "too bright" for quite some time, until my playing finally grimed it up to where it sounded like a nice deep bass again.
