Strings!!!

[Ibanezer]

The highest 3 strings (G, B, E) on all of my guitars get dirty (something black...) very easily!! I wash my hands b4 i play them every single time, and after playing them i put them back in the case. there's never any one single particle of dust on my guitars. I keep them as clean as possible. i don't see any possibility that happens but the highest 3 strings (only) always become black? but nothing happens to the lowest 3 strings (E, A, D)?? ? what do I do to keep them "fresh"?

[Timanator]

thats because the higher 3 strings are iron, they rust/oxidize.

The lower strings are usually nickle/alloy wound, they resist rust/oxidation better.

If your strings are getting black, maybe time to change them. I change ine once every month or less.

[gkelm]

To make string last a bit longer many years ago I'd take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean my strings. Otherwise, maybe try Elixers?
Greg

[toshiro]

Elixer''s top three string are just like any other brands I think.. They seem to be, at least..

Maybe try those new black diamond strings, they're all black coated right out of the package..

I just use some fast fret before and after playing, and change my strings every 2 weeks or so, depending on play-time...

[MehYam]

I'll second the vote for Elixers, and the vote for cleaning the strings. Grab a rag with a bit of rubbing alcohol, pinch the string in the rag and run up and down the length of it. The massive amounts of crud and soil that comes off is eye-opening.

My VSBL came with Elixers on it (first time I had tried them) and the strings were still good after four months of playing (~15 hrs per week). I finally changed them for some fresh D'Addarios, which corroded so fast I changed them after two weeks... and that was *with* daily cleanings. I must have been sweating acid at the time.

[darren wilson]

Elixirs do still have plain uncoated unwound strings.

Try different brands. I like GHS Boomers. They seem to last pretty well, and i've got really corrosive sweat.

[germX]

HI

you can clean your strings each time you finish playing. try D'Andrea string cleaner solution. it helps to a certain extent.

i'm currently on the DR Black Coated set- 'Extra Life' they call it. initially, i thought it was a gimmic but i haven't restrung my RG 1550 for a record of 9 weeks