How to Extend the Life of Guitar Strings
It's no secret that guitar and bass strings never seem to last very long before succumbing to the elements.
Whether it's finger grease, sweat or your little sister who chose to play your guitar after eating a plate of brownies, the strings are always vulnerable.
There is nothing worse than reaching for a guitar with strings covered in black, rusty grime. It minimizes the playability and will take away much of the instrument's tone.
Here I will provide a few tips that will hopefully offer more longevity to your guitar strings.
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Instructions
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1
Remember to wash your hands before playing the guitar.
Of course it's not always easy to find a wash basin every time you want to strum a guitar, but be cognizant.
I often reach for the hand sanitizer. It helps remove any gunk that could potentially damage the strings.
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2
After playing the guitar, use a lint-free cloth to remove excess grime from the strings.
I like to use a product called Fast Fret. It is an oil-based balm and can be applied directly to the strings.
With the cloth in hand, I then pinch the string while sliding the cloth up and down along the string until all the grime has been removed.
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3
Bass strings can be handled in much the same way as guitar strings.
It is not uncommon to boil the bass string in a standard cooking pot. Boiling removes a lot of the dirt and oil that can become imbedded in the deep crevices of the string winding.
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Tips & Warnings
It's best to at least be aware of strings' short shelf life. Even just wiping the strings after you've played will help preserve them.
I also have used standard furniture polish as a substitute for Fast Fret.
