Fuzzy Strings? Huh?

SurferJoe46 · #1 04-01-2010, 04:59 PM

Why are my strings getting fuzzy? They look like white cat fur is growing outta them.

This is a new experience for me and these are the strings stock on my Ibanez SR500 and just over 60-days old right now and no slapping or popping has happened to them - well, not on purpose anyway.

Anybody know the name of factory OE strings so that I may not get them again?

I thunk it mighta be my string cleaner thing that has a wooden handle and some packed white fabric in it - so I stopped using it for a while and went back to Dr. Stringfellow String Cleaner.

Still the fur grows, Help

Solid Moose · #2 04-01-2010, 05:00 PM

Its dirt and mould from your hands.
Get some new strings!

capnsandwich · #3 04-01-2010, 05:04 PM

Don't they come with Elixir strings? You may be witnessing the coating flaking off, especially if you play with a pick.

Jazz Ad · #4 04-01-2010, 05:06 PM

Don't use string cleaner, just wipe them with a soft cotton rag.

Drop-the-One · #5 04-01-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Don't they come with Elixir strings? You may be witnessing the coating flaking off, especially if you play with a pick.

+1.

or if you used a felt pick

or you wear cotton sweaters...

... or if you're cleaning them with a rag/towel/papertowel

but probably the coated strings. They sound great

Grantrudd · #6 04-01-2010, 05:10 PM

its got to be those elixirs. i swear by elixirs and i think they give the best sound and last far longer than anything else, but the fuzz is part of that. something you have to deal with i guess. just dont worry about it.

SurferJoe46 · #7 04-01-2010, 05:50 PM

The fuzz is kinda becoming my friend and I guess when it's all gone then the strings are worn out too. Kinda like the magic smoke in electronic things.

Yeah - I like the strings a lot - they are nicer than the ones I put on my Fender-Ps. Come to think of it, NO string makes the Ps sound good anyway so what's the use?

I can see the felt pick and all - but ALL THE WAY UP THE NECK? I don't think I can play bass and have enough beer in me to make that mistake.

I think.

I don't really remember.

Zooberwerx · #8 04-01-2010, 06:08 PM

Elixirs, or at least the coating, are made by Gore Inc. who also manufactures Glide dental floss and GoreTex insulation for thermalware. Yes, the string coating is essentially leftover dental floss material...

"Goin' to Montana soon...."

Riis

ehque · #9 04-02-2010, 05:06 AM

I don't think you need to clean elixirs (i certainly would not).

Perhaps something in the cleaner is eating away the coating?

EDIT: And btw, Elixirs are the "stock" strings on most new Ibanezes.

capnsandwich · #10 04-02-2010, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

I don't think you need to clean elixirs (i certainly would not).

Perhaps something in the cleaner is eating away the coating?

Yes, cleaning Elixirs kind of defeats the purpose of a coated string.

Floyd Eye · #11 04-03-2010, 08:16 AM

The coating will wear off all on it's own, without any cleaning.

SurferJoe46 · #12 04-03-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

The coating will wear off all on it's own, without any cleaning.

OK - so I can figger on buying a new set sooner than later I guess.

"Coated" strings are kinda new to me. Can someone give me a little primer on what they are and why they exist?

I really like the feel of them and they aren't zing-y or screech-y either.

What's the real lifespan of them - er, with "normal " use and without using a cleaner on them? "Normal" to me means no slapping, popping or hard picks.

Felt ukulele picks I DO use from time to time though but not 'way up on the neck where there is fur growing too.

SurferJoe46 · #13 04-05-2010, 12:33 PM

What line or type of Elixirs are they using as stock on the Ibanez I bought?

MooseLumps · #14 04-05-2010, 12:41 PM

Elixers have a polymer coating that prevents finger goo and dirt from getting into the string and corroding them. Some people swear by them, some people hate them.
other coatings are used by different manufacturers. They tend to make the strings last longer at the expense of some zing and brightness. Also, many people hate the feel. They are normally more expensive and are available in fewer gauges and varieties.
if your interested, ernie ball, d'addario, dr, elixr, black diamond and fender are manufacturers that all use some coating or another (including but not limited to). Google them and find out.

IntrepidCellist · #15 04-05-2010, 01:02 PM

I swear by Elixirs. They sound new and zingy for ages (make sure you get the nanowebs, not the polywebs.) I have corrosive sweat, so normal strings don't last very long for me, but I get 3-6 months out of a set of Elixirs that get played almost every day. The "fuzz" is normal, doesn't affect the tone at all, and is not an indicator of when the strings are going bad.

Luckydog · #16 04-05-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

I swear by Elixirs. They sound new and zingy for ages (make sure you get the nanowebs, not the polywebs.) I have corrosive sweat, so normal strings don't last very long for me, but I get 3-6 months out of a set of Elixirs that get played almost every day. The "fuzz" is normal, doesn't affect the tone at all, and is not an indicator of when the strings are going bad.

They no longer sell polyweb for bass. I wish they would.

queevil · #17 04-08-2010, 01:28 AM

Yep. Elixers are the first thing I thought of when I read the OP's post. They're the wound string that I prefer because once they're broken in and they're at that point where they're not overly bright but not dead they tend to stay that way for a while. However, like most roundwound strings they are way to bright for me out of the package.

EAdanikDG · #18 04-08-2010, 01:58 AM

^Same with me. Every Ibanez in my local Allans Music store has the fur. It's from normal use. Hard picks etc. may affect it, but i doubt it, and the fur will still come sooner or later. The fur is actually just the coating flaking off. I personally stay away from coated strings, strings last a while for me anyway, but that's probably because I have no problem playing old, even minutely corroded strings, I like the sound better than zingy, new strings

SurferJoe46 · #19 04-08-2010, 03:21 PM

What I seem to appreciate about the Elixir coated strings is that after the first month or so they mellow out and stop making all that high pitched noise. I want the lower, more mellow sounds not the brassy and zingy noise from my strings.

So - it seems everyone here says that the Elixirs are a little less boom-y and they are brighter. I wonder if that's why Ibanez puts them on the SR500s at first. The actives can really get the bass to rumble and they might try to compensate for that ability.

For the first month or so that I owned it (the SR500), I rolled OFF all the upper tones I could and I find now that I am beginning to add a little in once in a while. I still haven't hit the null-point yet though.