Sticky Strings!!

[Emerald Midi]

Hi guys & gals.

Sticky strings?

Lately I have been playing my guitar a lot at gigs and I find that after about 10 songs the strings become sticky from sweat from my fingers. Now, I've tried the usua;l wiping the strings with a soft cloth, but this only last a short time and I'm back to square one.

Have any other guitar players come across this problem, and if so what works for you?

Cheers

[cptkay0s]

Change guitars?? Works for me (lol). I have a mate that uses some spray solution - I don't know what it is - I'll try and track him down and ask him Pat.

I know what you mean though - I perspire profusely and suffer the same as you, although, since changing to the Elixir strings, I haven't noticed it as much.

Warren

[levi2]

put talcom powder on yer hands and rub in that what me m8 does

[Tubbs]

You could always try pink latex gloves Pat!! ;D

Seriously though i have the same problem and just do the same, wipe the strings with a soft cloth, i have tried a alcohol hand rub which helps too.

[levi2]

theres also stuff you put on strings called fastfret dunno if you can still buy it i use elixer strings now and dont have a prob anymore

[Emerald Midi]

Thanks lads.

I am not sure about the gloves, Gerry mate. Might ruin my image

I might try the talcum powder and see if that works, also the strings, the Elixir strings sound like a way to go. Not sure either about having two guitars at a gig - knowing my luck I'd have every 3 chord George wanting to join in ;d

The "fastfret" sounds ideal if I can get me some. But the Elixir strings sounds like something I'll try initially. I read somewhere these strings last longer too

Again, thanks again for all the advice.

[ovation99]

The guitarist in the Hamsters has the same problem and he uses WD40 !

[Emerald Midi]

Aug 23, 2009 19:55:14 GMT ovation99 said:

The guitarist in the Hamsters has the same problem and he uses WD40 !

WD40 might work short term but I imagine it could eventually mess up things. I suppose as long as you don't spray it directly it could do the job, though.

Thanks

[shyamwestwind]

Hi Pat, Frank Carew asked me to post this for him - I guess theres some probs. posting in.

re sticky guitar strings.Emerald midi.
Wipe with meths then apply a few drops of sewing machine oil and allow to run down each string.Wipe off excess.This will also put new life in the strings.
Frank.

[Emerald Midi]

Aug 24, 2009 6:29:21 GMT shyamwestwind said:

Hi Pat, Frank Carew asked me to post this for him - I guess theres some probs. posting in.

re sticky guitar strings.Emerald midi.
Wipe with meths then apply a few drops of sewing machine oil and allow to run down each string.Wipe off excess.This will also put new life in the strings.
Frank.

Thanks Shyam, I will try this approach and see if it works for me too.

Thank Frank for me also.

[oliver101]

Pat
As with what Warren said, try the elixer strings, since I converted over a couple of months ago I havn't noticed any lack of zing in the strings and they have been played hard at least 3 times a week. Worth the extra money.
I would have thought that WD40 would make the fretboard far too slippery and would lose control when doing any string bending, but I am too much a coward to try it out ( + I hate the smell ).

Ian

[Emerald Midi]

Thanks Ian. Those elixir strings are expensive but as I am hearing only good things about them I will be giving them a shot. I'll try anything me

Does anyone know where the cheapest place to buy them from?

Yes, I know...what a cheapskate, eh ;d

[oliver101]

Pat
The cheapest place I found was on Amazon. £9.95 a set plus a pound P&P.
Once you use them I am sure you will be converted.
Good luck.

Ian

[Emerald Midi]

Thank you Ian. I will order a set and see what they're like. Hopefully they'll do the trick

[levi2]

I got mine from local music store £9.50 the ones for acoustic guitar are dearer i put mine on just before xmas and theyre still on