Members guitaristhelp Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 When it comes to string changes I'm slightly lazy. I'd rather spend a bit more money and get longer lasting strings rather than have to change the strings more often. However, with my acoustic, I find that the top 2 strings corrode really quickly. Has anyone got any recommendations on the longest lasting brand of acoutic guitar string? Thanks
Members garthman Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 Most string manufacturers now produce 'coated' strings. The strings are coated with polyurethane or similar compounds to make them more resistant to corrosion. They cost more than uncoated strings and many players think that they don't sound as good but they certainly last longer. I prefer uncoated strings but I clean them after playing with an alcohol wipe which keeps them free from corrosion for a lot longer.
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 It's funny you should ask as I am going through some string "problems" as well. I have been using JP's phos/bronze strings for awhile and find that they go dead about half way through the gig...especially after a really humid sweaty gig. I think it might be the chemicals in my sweat that just kill strings. If I am playing at home practicing the strings last longer...but after one good pounding at a gig...dead as doornails... OGP
Members garthman Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 It's funny you should ask as I am going through some string "problems" as well. I have been using JP's phos/bronze strings for awhile and find that they go dead about half way through the gig...especially after a really humid sweaty gig. I think it might be the chemicals in my sweat that just kill strings.If I am playing at home practicing the strings last longer...but after one good pounding at a gig...dead as doornails...OGP The acids in sweat certainly cause strings to tarnish - the main cause in fact - but it's strange it should happen half way through a gig. Might be a good idea to give them a quick wipe down with a dry cloth every now and then, see if it improves them.
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted July 25, 2007 Members Posted July 25, 2007 The acids in sweat certainly cause strings to tarnish - the main cause in fact - but it's strange it should happen half way through a gig. Might be a good idea to give them a quick wipe down with a dry cloth every now and then, see if it improves them. I am going to try and wipe them with alcohol after playing and see if that makes any difference. I just bought a new set of Dean Markley "Vintage Bronze" light gauge 11-46 for a change since I usually use John Pearse 12-53 Phos/Bronze. I am going to put them on right now and use them tonight at the Weds night open stage at a tiny local pub which gets very crowded and hot. We'll see what happens to them since although it is an open stage I not only sing a few "solo" tunes but I often sit in and accompany others if I get asked so my strings usually get a good work out. I intend to be playing a lot this week since I haven't been out in ages. There are 2 open stages and one Sunday afternoon "all acoustic" jam session that I try to attend so I will be interested to see how my "new" strings react to being wiped off after every time I play. OGP
Members guitaristhelp Posted July 26, 2007 Author Members Posted July 26, 2007 Thanks people. This may seem like a daft question, but can you use alcohol wipes on coated strings to prolong the life further?
Members garthman Posted July 26, 2007 Members Posted July 26, 2007 Thanks people. This may seem like a daft question, but can you use alcohol wipes on coated strings to prolong the life further? I would not recommend it - the alcohol may well attack the coating. A wipe down with a clean, dry, cloth should be sufficient.
Members flip333 Posted July 26, 2007 Members Posted July 26, 2007 This is related to my Elixir post. I'm in the middle of finding out how long coated poly Elixir strings last. They are 15 days old now and sound great. You are supposed to get a good 3 months out of these. I was concerned with wiping them down daily with alcohol. There is a bit of "hair" on them that I can see with a magnifying glass. If they still sound good, I will ignore the "hair". I'm not going to use alcohol every day anymore. Only about every 3 weeks or so. Just a cotton cloth for light regular wiping. The "magic" I get from non-coated strings has always been short-lived before they go dead. Its great when you have it! Elixir polys are nice enough. Especially the lack of string squeak. I am going to experiment with nanos, nano PBs, and the EXPs. Maybe with an occasional PB "treat".
Members mr.matt Posted July 26, 2007 Members Posted July 26, 2007 I've been through a few different varieties of coated string and find the DR coated strings (I use the black, 12 guage) last and sound the best. Literally sound just slightly broken in for a good month. I play about 30 hours a week in the summer too. I never have wiped my strings after playing, but I don't have very sweaty hands. I thought the elixers sounded pretty dead on my guitar. The other coated strings I tried (two off brand varieties whose names escape me) sounded good but didn't last the way DRs do. The big difference between DR and the rest is that the DR strings are powder coated and the rest are dipped in paint. The other nice thing that DR does is to only coat the wrap string on the bass strings and then wind it around the core. Makes for a better feel. BTW I used to play with a guy whose hand sweat was so acidic he rusted a set of strings in a day! If that applies to you, you need to wipe your strings. Also, alcohol isn't likely to affect the coating on the elixers, it's a pretty weak solvent and the elixer coating is likely some kind of catalized chemical compound so it will be immune.
Members kwakatak Posted July 26, 2007 Members Posted July 26, 2007 It depends solely on your own personal body pH and how often you play your guitar. I've heard from people who say that they can rust out a set of coated strings in 2 weeks. Of course, the rule of thumb is that Elixirs will last the longest but I'm afraid that would start up that tired old debate about how they suck and all... BTW - judging by the treehugging homeopathic medicine books I've been reading lately, they claim that it is possible to lower your body's pH. I'm too lazy to try that sort of stuff though. I refuse to give up pizza and alcohol, for starters. ... and this post is NOT PUI!
Members Jon Hiller Posted July 26, 2007 Members Posted July 26, 2007 I've had great luck with the Everly Cleartones lasting a LONG time. I had one set that hung on for nearly six months.
Members JaLester Posted July 31, 2007 Members Posted July 31, 2007 I know that there are several who really don't like elixir's, but I have continued to use their PB's for quite some time with good results. I lead worship 3 times a week and probably put anywhere between 15-20 hours of strong playing on my guitar a week. I own a Martin D-2R (D-28 exact copy with a laminated back and satin finish) and a Martin DM, and both dreads just sound great with the strings. I generally have to change strings about once every 6 weeks due to breakage, but the tone will stay up much longer. Non-coated strings end up being changed every week and that is a complete pain after a few months. One more great thing, non-coated strings go bad even when you aren't playing them and coated strings do not. Go to any GC and look at martins and taylors, most martins have old rusted strings, while the taylors have elixirs.
Members FingerBone Bill Posted August 1, 2007 Members Posted August 1, 2007 Elixirs Polyweb - sound dead from the first to the last Nanoweb - Sound thin & shitty firstly then mellow out to Ok-ish Nano Phosphur Bronze - Good sounding string that lasts & lasts:thu: Not all Elixirs are created equal but that's it in a nutshell. I'm currently trying out a set of cleartones - sound good, let's see how long they last.
Members chadhogan Posted August 1, 2007 Members Posted August 1, 2007 I agree with the elixir phospher bronze. They sound far better than the original elixirs, and they seem to last forever. D'addario lights seem to be the #1 seller at our store, and they are cheap to try.
Members dwerlin Posted August 1, 2007 Members Posted August 1, 2007 I'm going to put my vote in for the D'Addario EXP's, they are the best strings I've ever played (I've gone through Elixir, Martin, Dean Markley, Ernie Ball, regular D'Addario, Cleartone...that's all I can remember off the top of my head). The D'Addario EXP's are the only strings I ever use these days.
Members guitarist21 Posted August 1, 2007 Members Posted August 1, 2007 Of course, the rule of thumb is that Elixirs will last the longest but I'm afraid that would start up that tired old debate about how they suck and all... Oh no they definitely last the longest. But they still suck. Ellen
Members Sheik Yerbouti Posted August 1, 2007 Members Posted August 1, 2007 I've had great luck with the Everly Cleartones lasting a LONG time. I had one set that hung on for nearly six months. I pass the sign in your avatar all the time.
Members ihateyouguys Posted August 2, 2007 Members Posted August 2, 2007 Oh no they definitely last the longest. But they still suck. Ellen I agree, elixirs do manage to suck longer than any other strings I've used.
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