corroding strings

subdude67 · #1 04-21-2011, 01:21 AM

i live in kenya on the coast of the indian ocean and like everybory else here playing a stringed electric instrument i have the problem that the strings on my basses corrode.

local guitar players are trying lots of different coated strings to prevent the problem but from what i learn only with limited success.

ignoring the sound and feel of the strings, would stainless steel make a real difference for the longevity?

thanks

FunkMetalBass · #2 04-21-2011, 04:56 PM

Many of the stainless steel strings that I've tried have died faster than any of their nickel counterparts.

Out of curiosity, with all of the thousands of stringed-instrument players living on various coasts wold-wide, why is this a relatively isolated issue?

subdude67 · #3 04-22-2011, 05:07 AM

so it is not a common problem that strings corrode in humid and salty air?

ehque · #4 04-22-2011, 11:51 AM

I live on a island, less than 5 to 10 miles from the sea, and it's tropical as well. Everything rusts and tarnishes - acoustic strings, drum hardware, etc. However, my stainless steel strings have never rusted, even after a year of use.

subdude67 · #5 04-22-2011, 11:44 PM

tell me about drum hardware.....
i'll give the stainless steel ones a shot then, sounds promising.
thanks

SLaPiNFuNK · #6 04-23-2011, 11:38 PM

I was always afraid of my strings and bass hardware corroding when I lived and gigged out doors in Miami Florida!

One thing to look out for especially if you have an instrument with a string threw bridge is to not scrape the surface of the string (coated string or not). Once that surface is scratched it will be open to corrosion more than a non-scratched surface.

FunkMetalBass · #7 04-24-2011, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

I was always afraid of my strings and bass hardware corroding when I lived and gigged out doors in Miami Florida!

One thing to look out for especially if you have an instrument with a string threw bridge is to not scrape the surface of the string (coated string or not). Once that surface is scratched it will be open to corrosion more than a non-scratched surface.

So this is a problem elsewhere then? I've never heard of this issue before now.

knucklehead G · #8 04-24-2011, 03:07 AM

Maybe stainless flats? Less grooves for salty air to get in. Or tapewounds? They're fully covered, right?

SLaPiNFuNK · #9 04-24-2011, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

So this is a problem elsewhere then? I've never heard of this issue before now.

Places that are humid and any metal that is scratched can corrode.

The key is SCRATCHED metal.

I may experiment with some new bent strings I have... put the string outside, scratch some parts of the string but not others, and see what happens... Will use a control source of course, but I am pretty sure the corrosion is from metal on metal scratching of the surface of the string. Especially if its stainless steel.

Stainless Steel cook wear for example wont corrode... unless scratched by another metal object. The smooth surface resists corrosion, but once any fine scratches are introduced, no good...

nshnth · #10 05-17-2011, 11:21 AM

I face this problem a lot, coz i live in coastal India. The heat, humidity, and the fact that i live really close to the sea means that anything metal rusts in minutes. A couple of tips: -

- Wipe down your strings after you play, and make sure there is no residual sweat and grime on the strings. I do the same for other metal hardware as well.

- Every couple of weeks I remove the strings, and make sure the areas where the strings contact the frets, saddle, nut and tuners aren't too corroded. It also lets me clean up the frets and saddles. When restinging, I make sure the part that originally faced the frets, is not in contact again.

- I noticed that "name" brand strings like D'addarios and Dunlops last a lot longer than el cheapo local made strings (about 8$ a pack, vs 20$+ for the others), so although they are expensive, they end up paying for themselves. The strings that came with my ESP(SIT power wound nickel i think) havn't corroded after 2 years, but are totally dead.

- Keep spare strings either in the sealed packet they come in, or in zip lock bags with a bit of dessicant at the bottom. I always carry a pack, and it'd suck if they rust before i even play them.

- For drum hardware, i paint em with some rust proof paint. For anything that's already rusted, a bit of steel wool can prevent further damage.

Sorry for the long post. Hope it helps.
Oh, and since this is my first post, i guess i should introduce myself:
"Hi, i'm Nishanth, and i have G.A.S."