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lid
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An experiment w/guitar strings
#4938768 - 11/15/05 07:25 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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Normally, I wash my hands before I play, and after I'm done I wipe the strings down w/ a nice microfiber cloth (got a bunch, they were all freebies). Usually this keeps the strings shiny and new looking for about a month (I play for at least an hour and a half each day).
When I don't do this, the strings take on a tarnished appearance after a couple of days, and after a couple of weeks they start losing their brightness a bit.
Well, two weeks ago, I decided I wouldn't go through the routine of string care and let them get a bit sloppy. Once they got really tarnished (about 3 days), I took a tube of "Flitz" (you can get it at auto parts store, hardware stores, and marine supply stores), and polished the strings with an old clean rag. This was awesome, because it cleaned the strings so well they looked brand new. 
I have used the "Flitz" twice in the course of two weeks. During this time I have completely ignored my string cleaning routine, and to my amazement, the strings have remained shiny, new and sound nice and bright still. The "Flitz" has been leaving a coating on my strings that prevents (or at least slows) corrosion, and leaves my stings playing fast as hell, and smooth as silk. It is very similar to applying 'fast fret' to a set of brand new strings, minus the feeling of greasy fingertips. 
I figured I would share my results with all you guitar players here at the shroomery, and I hope this works as well for you, as it has for me.
-------------------- molon labe.
Edited by lid (11/15/05 07:28 PM)
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nunciate
Cold and Indifferent


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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: lid]
#4938781 - 11/15/05 07:27 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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Lots of companies make string cleaner. Its cheap and effective.
-------------------- I am the devil and I am just like you
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lid
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: nunciate]
#4938796 - 11/15/05 07:30 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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yea, i didnt have any on hand, and the closest music store is pretty far away. And IMO, I have gotten much better results with this, than anything that I have used before, even that complete dunlop string care kit.
Plus "Flitz" is alot cheaper (bout' $11 for a 5.29 oz tube)than those string care kits (bout $25-30). Furthermore, one tube of "Flitz" will last hundreds of times longer than one bottle of string cleaner (dunlop 65 string conditioner is in a 2 oz bottle).
-------------------- molon labe.
Edited by lid (11/15/05 07:39 PM)
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HeavyToilet
The Heaviest OfThem All


Registered: 08/06/03
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: lid]
#4938806 - 11/15/05 07:31 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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I got tons of dead skin all over my fretboard and strings. It's nasty as hell.
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lid
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: HeavyToilet]
#4938855 - 11/15/05 07:42 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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yea, that never used to bother me, getting that gunk all over your fretboard. But then my first guitar tech told me that not cleaning it off can cause it to get underneath the frets, and over time will cause them to come loose.
-------------------- molon labe.
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XUL
OTD Janitor


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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: lid]
#4938892 - 11/15/05 07:49 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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Man, I had left my guitar down at my buddys where I jam, when I picked it up again I thought I might get tetnous (spelling?) from playing it, the strings were like fucking rusty.
rock on
--------------------
TRUMP 2020
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lid
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: XUL]
#4938988 - 11/15/05 08:08 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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I know how it is man, and if you feel its worth keeping those strings, give the flitz a try (then again rusty strings probably aint worth it) you'll be amazed how clean they get. I've used the string cleaning fluid from dunlop, and it never made my tarnished strings look like a freshly opened brand spanking new set o' strings.
-------------------- molon labe.
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Jim


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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: lid]
#4939028 - 11/15/05 08:18 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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electric or acoustic?
-------------------- Use the Fucking Reply To Feature You Lazy Pieces of Shit! afoaf said: Jim, if you were in my city, I would let you fuck my wife.
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lid
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: Jim]
#4939096 - 11/15/05 08:35 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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electric, and acoustic (I use heavier gauge electric strings on my acoustic, I never liked the sound i got using acoustic strings, whether they be bronze or phosphor bronze... So my case yes, both electric and acoustic).
-------------------- molon labe.
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Jim


Registered: 04/07/04
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: lid]
#4939110 - 11/15/05 08:38 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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elixer custom .11's are what I use on my acoustic.
they can withstand the abuse, grime, and constant bending and still hold their tone.
they cost twice as much as the martin sp's, but they are worth it.
-------------------- Use the Fucking Reply To Feature You Lazy Pieces of Shit! afoaf said: Jim, if you were in my city, I would let you fuck my wife.
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MadSeasonAbove
Reef Donkey


Registered: 09/29/03
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: Jim]
#4939349 - 11/15/05 09:37 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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Wiping down the strings after playing not only makes them stay clean and new-looking ,but extends the life of the strings.
So how much is Flitz Paying you? j/k
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leery11
I Tell You What!

Registered: 06/24/05
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what's in the stuff? it might not at all be healthy for the fretboard, etc.... because you know, I'd imagine some residue will eventually soak onto it.
-------------------- I am the MacDaddy of Heimlich County, I play it Straight Up Yo! ....I embrace my desire to feel the rhythm, to feel connected enough to step aside and weep like a widow, to feel inspired, to fathom the power, to witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain, to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human...... Om Namah Shivaya, I tell you What!
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LooksLikeRain
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: leery11]
#4939517 - 11/15/05 10:06 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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i replace the strings atleast every 2 weeks but i am very picky when it comes to my music so i need a perfect sound...after about 3 weeks(i play 4 hours+ a day) they loose there brightness and sound dull.
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adamj
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Re: An experiment w/guitar strings [Re: Jim]
#4939977 - 11/15/05 11:58 PM (18 years, 3 months ago) |
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Quote:
GratefulJim said:
they cost twice as much as the martin sp's, but they are worth it.
I hear ya. Elixir's are what I swear by on my acoustic. Definetely worth the extra coin!!
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