Odds & Ends
Just in case we've left anything out! I mean you can't subtitle your website "everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask" if you at least don't try for everything!
For example … here's a few tips on getting the most mileage out of your guitar strings:
Tip 1. Wash Your Hands.
Make an effort to play with clean hands. Give your hands a good washing before hand to remove the oils and dirt we naturally gather during the day. Just make sure to thoroughly dry them before sitting down and playing.
Tip 2. Wipe Your Strings
Do it immediately after playing your guitar, and have it become a routine. Keep a spare cloth or old T-shirt around to wipe your strings down with after playing. Pinch each string and run the cloth from top to bottom. Try to get underneath the strings as well when wiping.
Tip 3. Clean Your Strings.
Use Alcohol… no, we do not mean have a beer first. Pour alcohol on your cloth, wipe away, and bring your strings back to life!
Tip 4. Choice of Strings.
Use coated strings, as they will protect the strings from the grease on your fingers.
Tip 5. Just In Case.
Try and keep your guitar in its case and away from humid or harsh environments. Just like most metals, Guitar strings rust when exposed to the elements.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
thamks for the tips. I never thought about wiping my strings down, but I will now. And I do keep my guitars in their case. Keep the music comimg, great job.
Ed
You bet Ed!
Hi Jackson,
just joined your free site, really enjoy your teaching style. WIll most likely get the R&R annual combo.
I do have a question, I have fairly small collection of guitars, (9), 3 acoustics and the rest electric. I have started to keep them in stands and racks and some hang on the wall. Climate and humidity controlled room, no direct UV light. I have noticed that I play a LOT more with them being out and readily available, even if it's just a 10 minute session. When I kept them in the cases, it would be more of a chore to go get one (I kept them in a different part of the house) and getting it and and playing it, to the point where I would not do it. Do you think it's a major problem keeping them out? I play them all regularly, clean the guitars and strings each time.
Thanks much,
Klaus
Welcome Klaus ….. I can only comment form personal experience …. I have all my electrics hanging. Each time I play a gig …. I get to have a look through my own collection and decide which 2 or 3 I will take with me. I have never picked one up and found that there were neck or playability issues . So my short answer is “keep then accessible and enjoy them!” All the best … Jackson
I just read a recent article that boiling old strings can bring them back to sounding like new. Anybody ever try it? And more importantly does it work.
It does. But with strings available for about $4 per set … it’s a matter of how much you value your time.