how to keep strings clean/new?

[Elpelotero]

Maybe try some coated Elixirs

 

[Platypus]

Check out GHS Fast Fret... I had the same problem but now I use that stuff and wipe down with a microfiber cloth and I change my strings once every 2 months now... longer if I don't use that guitar as much.

 

[Artmusic]

+1 for GHS Fast Frett, I used to change strings every month and I was wiping down the strings after every use. Now that I have been using this product my strings really do last much longer while retaining their sound quality.
Art

 

[Turumbar82]

I've been using this stuff called Dr. Stringfellows string cleaner and I like it a lot.

it's a cleaner and a lubricant. (for your strings lol)

I used to use GHS fast fret and started using the Stringfellows cleaner because a good friend recommended it and I haven't stopped using it since.

 

[Strategy500]

I usually wash my hands before I pick up my guitar. And that helps. Having dirty hands is more than enough to kill the strings.

 

[Setzer]

I always clean my strings with a cloth everytime I play and it really does help to prolong the life of the strings a lot.

I use stainless strings now and the difference is HUGE compared to ordinary strings.

Give a stainless set a go they arent much more expensive and they really do last a lot longer.

 

[clutch71]

Another vote for GHS fast fret. I wipe the guitar down with a T-Shirt and then use the fast fret and micro cloth. I still change my strings about every three weeks though.

 

[Dewy]

I always clean my strings with a cloth everytime I play and it really does help to prolong the life of the strings a lot.

I use stainless strings now and the difference is HUGE compared to ordinary strings.

Give a stainless set a go they arent much more expensive and they really do last a lot longer.

Yeah, but they also wear down frets a lot faster if they aren't SS as well.

 

[Coeur de Blues]

I use friction alcohol with a linen soft since always, effective and not expensive.

 

[Anonymous]

i keep my strings clean with changing to a new set frequently when the old set is worn out.

i think that its not only dirt and fingergrip that damages a string, it also gets bruises at the frets and gets dumbtoned after a while from playing.

light transparent machine mineral oil should work out fine as a preservative.

stay tuned! ;-)

 

[fishyfishfish]

I clean mine with WD40 on an old tee shirt, works better that fast fret for me.

 

[Gtr_Pkr]

I clean mine with WD40 on an old tee shirt, works better that fast fret for me.

And how does your fretboard look? What kind of fretboard?

 

[Gtr_Pkr]

I usually wipe down my strings after playing, and wash my hands before I pick up the guitar. Some of the things that will kill strings the fastest is the dirt, grim, and oils from your hands. Also, try and keep your guitar in a medium dry environment. Moisture will kill the strings and your guitar.

 

[MrBoggles]

firstly wd40 + rosewood/ebony/maple = bad for wood
because it's oil based it will get into the wood... not good
(probly won't destroy the guitar and the parts would be well lubricated.
but still wd40??)
I teach guitar every day and gig regularly so adding practice on top of that
clocks up like 40 hrs at least of use a week i'd say most guys that don't teach would clock up around at least 10-15 hrs a week? (just a guess)
thats more than enough over a 2 week period.
usually i would change my strings every 1-2 weeks. always a new set the day before a gig. by the end of the week they are dead
but i could just be really picky.

 

[tramp]

lighter fuel on a clean rag! gets the grease off and is cheap! But I always change before a gig, as no matter how often the strings are cleaned they stretch out and lose their intonation.

 

[ShamefulAddiction]

Lemon oil on a camel skin rub rag. let it sit, then use just a clean camel skin to wipe it down. you'd be amazed all the crap it gets off.

 

[fishyfishfish]

I don't soak the fret board with it, I just spray some on a clean cotton rag ( old shirt) and wipe down the strings. When I found out "Lemon Oil" is just mineral oil with lemon scent added, I thought what the hell. I have been using it for about 15 years on all my guitars and no problems, but I don't go crazy with the stuff. I think "Fast Fret", and other string cleaners are oil based as well.

 

[helen_bach]

Wipe em down, over and under after every use.

Emergency? Hehehehe.. piece of aluminum foil, fold it, put under string, fold up, then slide it back n forth several times whole length of string. It helps remove the gunk UNDER the string that will build up, "re-brightens" just a tad, and cleans overall (just enough). Great in a pinch..lol..

Is GHS Fast Fret like Finger Ease? I never used any of that stuff (was not even out when I started playing-lol), but tried it last month and it was awful. Icky film.

 

[Sustain]

wash your hands

 

[LerxstLee]

i tried the wipe down method after I practice with a towel or shirt.

does it really help?

It seems like I have to change my strings once every two weeks on two guitars if I practice every day for 1 hr or so...

anybody else experience this?

I have since my youth always leaned my guitars forward while taking a cottom ball dabbed NOT saturated , but excess squeezed out . Then I go up and down each string rotation the cottom ball until you hear that annoyingly squeaky clean
sound . If you wipe them down instead of " cleaning " them you would probably be taking life out of them as you would
be wiping dirt , body oils , and perspiration dry on the string . The reason I lean the guitar forward is if I do have too much
alchohol on the cotton ball the drop hits the floor and not the FB or Body .
/cheers