Cleaning strings?

Eddie Freeman · From: Natchez Mississippi

I over oiled my changer and long story to short,ended up eith oil on my strings.
I know that is the best way to kill a new (or old either) set of strings, so now I have to clean the excess oil on the changer, and get the strings clean also.
I think I read on the Forum once about using Armour all to clean strings, good idea or not? If not AA,then what. Thanks for any ideas..

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

NOT Armor all, for that leaves a shiny waxy yuck.
I usually use alcohol, as it seems to carry oil away.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

Boiling the strings in water with some baking soda gets them clean, but why bother considering the price of a new set...

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Per, Lester Flatt famously had three guitar sets: one soaking in lacquer thinner to dissolve oil and dirt, one drying, and one on the guitar. Strings got replaced if they broke.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

For a regular guitar I can understand that â€“ in a historical perspective â€“ but re-installing a set of used strings on a pedal steel? It's fiddly enough with a brand new set... Assuming the strings are half worn out to begin with, it would save maybe 5 dollars.

Godfrey Arthur · From: 3rd Rock

Denatured alcohol on a clean flannel cloth.
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ShoBud The Pro 1
YES it's my REAL NAME!
Ezekiel 33:7

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Dunlop makes a product named, 'Dunlop Ultraglide 65' which is meant specifically for cleaning strings. However, there may be common household products which would perform the task just as well.

Dan Behringer · From: Jerseyville, Illinois

I clean my strings all the time and have done it for years with WD40. It’s not worth a hoot for a lubricant but it’s one of the greatest solvents ever made that won’t hurt anything. I even use it on my Martin.
I take a ½ inch strip of old cotton T-shirt, saturate it with WD40 then put it around the string and twist it snug, then slide it up and down the string. I then go back over them with a dry piece of T-shirt a couple times the same way. You’ll be amazed at how much better the strings sound and feel.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Two words:
Blitz Cloth
Been using them for 40 yrs
TRIPLE the life of ANY strings
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Normal use cleans the tops of all guitar strings, but you would be surprised how much gunk gets caught under the strings. A good cleaning of the underside of the strings with a cleaner like WD-40 (which is _not_ a lubricant) will make a big difference in the life of your strings. Don't use too much of the cleaner, because it will get into the windings of wound strings and cause them to lose tension, deadening the string. No problem with plain strings.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Sid Hudson · From: Virginia, USA

Robert Parent · From: Gillette, WY

I used a gun cleaning patch and alcohol for years with great results. I would clean at the end of each gig and the strings stayed bright much longer than without cleaning.

Robert

Godfrey Arthur · From: 3rd Rock

I would caution the group that some cleaners, lubes have ingredients that are inherently toxic. And while they may do a bang-up job on your strings, it's also doing a number on you.

Being aware that many of these companies issue OSHA material safety data sheets that describe their products, wherein lies or doesn't, the tale of the tape, is key.

Taking care of your beloved instrument, should also include taking care of your earthly vessel as well. Wearing gloves when handling certain chemicals is an extra precaution or at least wash your hands immediately.

Yet know that the largest organ of the human body is the skin and it absorbs everything that touches it which then finds its way into the rest of you.

And inhalation of vapors has its effects as well.

Any of those "ene" chemicals, benzene, toluene that were used freely for decades are now coming under scrutiny.

The pharmacokinetics of such chemicals will be listed with their corresponding side effects.

Be safe.
_________________
ShoBud The Pro 1
YES it's my REAL NAME!
Ezekiel 33:7

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

This works for us cheap skates. Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard(1/4 " plywood is better)the size of your fretboard and slip it in under strings. Loosen the string a few turns. Pull the string up in the center and let go, snapping the string against the board. Do this a few times. Retune string. It will sound noticeably brighter.
My late friend Catfish John, out of Chicago, taught me this. I think he got it From Buddy Emmons.
It works great on bass guitars also. I'd just snap them right against the frets. Cool

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Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Sid wrote:

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

David Stilley · From: Santa Cruz, California, USA

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