[billy16]

My strings have been on my acoustic for a long time now, almost 4 months. I have to change them because I guess the cloth I was using to clean them with was getting fibers stuck inbetween the strings. There is a big build up of all that and that nasty green stuff. I'm reluctant to replace them simply because I'm poor. I'm putting a set of older strings on for now.

So, what's best to clean strings with? I know there are cloths for that, but what I was using was these cloths you use to clean CD's with. I thought about tearing a piece off an old t-shirt and using that.

And will boiling those strings get rid of that buildup of fibers and dirt or should I just get rid of those old strings? I've tried to clean them, but I can't. I'm trying to find cheap strings I can buy a lot of. I like GHS strings, and they're fairly cheap.

Oh, and how often should strings be replaced? I play anywhere between 1 hour to 3 hours a day. I know it should be something like every 2 months or so, but I can't afford that.

[grzegorz_panek]

Sounds like it's time to replaced them. There are some things like Fast Fret that preserve them. I never use any of these things.

I just replace strings regularly. If you buy regular strings it's still cheaper than buying Elixirs or other prolonged durability sets and string cosmetics.

[Graeme! Yes, Graeme!]

After four months of playing you are bound to get a gunk build up. Even if you wipe down your guitar afrer playing it's still going to happen and there's not much you can do about it.

As gzregorz said, there are strings like Elixirs (and now others too) that use a special coating on the strings that helps prevent this and so avoids corrosion for a longer time, but they are more expensive. I like them, myself, but that's just personal preference.

The best type of cloth to use would be one that doesn't "bobble" easily, as the fibred of it are far more likely to come off from the friction of cleaning the strings. Put a yellow duster into the wash to get rid of the excess fluff, and it should work fine.

[superwinkie]

I like to change my strings every few weeks, just because I think its necessary. I use martin sp+ (i have many problems with elixers -- but as already stated, thats just preference). Money shouldn't really play a huge factor, you can get a cheap set of earnie balls for like 5 dollars.

[billy16]

I'm kind of poor at the time, but I've found strings for $2.99 a pack or 10 for $20. They're Musician Friend strings. They are just as good as any other strings. I had Elixirs, but I got used to the easy playing and going back to uncoated strings made it rougher, so I'm sticking with uncoated. My fingers just have to readjust.

[CRG1400]

Here is what I do. I like 11's on my guitar, mainly because I do fingerstyle and they work real good. So I too buy my strings from musiciansfriend.com. I get 6 sets for about $20 and they throw in a string winder. It has though taken about a year to settle on these strings. They are the d'addario 85-15 920's I think, the one's that are 11's. I have tried all different kinds of brands, gauges, and other characterstics and found those to be beneficial.

[RICH.J]

I love Elixirs. They are easier on your fingers (a pain if you switch back to uncoated). I just don't like it when the coating starts to come off around the areas you play in alot.

Truth is, every time I try a different make, I like my new ones. I can't decide.

[Otto71]

I used to change strings every month, but lately I am a bit lazy and since I don't perform on stage, I use strings a coouple of months. I don't care.

And when I do change them, the improvement is major!

I use Fats Fret to keep them in shape.

[*Buzzer*]

Those that use Fast Fret, do you wipe the excess off after rubbing them down or do you leave it on?

........... and do you always wipe down with FF after use?

[mrbreeze]

Those that use Fast Fret, do you wipe the excess off after rubbing them down or do you leave it on?

........... and do you always wipe down with FF after use?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i just used it every once in a while...i wiped down and wiped off the excess.

[*Buzzer*]

Thanks mrbreeze

I do the same but really only because i forget to do it most times lol

[mrbreeze]

Thanks mrbreeze

I do the same but really only because i forget to do it most times lol

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problem