The Steel Guitar Forum

What tricks do you use to keep the strings in good condition as long as possible? Wiping them with a cloth soaked in alcohol to get rid of the hand´s grease, or what?
I can´t afford to change strings that often, so I need a hint. (And I can´t afford to soak the cloth with Hennessy XXXO either.)

Skål!

Anders in Falun (this season´s first snow came yesterday)

Hi Anders: What I do sometimes:
Use pledge furniturespray for the plain strings ( Yes it really works )Spray in on a cloth and clean your strings with it.
For the wound strings:
Put a sheet of paper on your fret board (to protect it!) tune the strings low, till the tension is off. Lift them with your fingers and thumb, let them go and slap them to the fretboard. Repeate this a few times, and you will find out all the dirt will fall out of the windings, and when you turn them up, they sound real fresh. Don't use any spray or something on those wound strings, they gum up easily and will sound dead. You can do this for 3 or 4 times, then you really need to change strings! I hope this helps!
Johan www.steeljj.com

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There is a product I use called "Fast Fret" or it could be the other way around. There is an applicator that you rub on the strings and then a cloth to wipe them off with afterwards. It cleans and lubes the strings. You can really tell the difference. It even makes your bar slide easier over the strings.
I don't change my strings very often either.
Erv<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 07 October 2002 at 02:15 PM.]</p></FONT>

Try Ballistol. It´s originally designed for use on guns but not aggressive like Hoppe´s or stuff like that. It might even be available in Sweden.

Regards, Joe H.