Rough string "cure"...

bigbadjonny · #1 08-31-2007, 08:08 AM

In the search for strings for my Reverend 5L, I thought I'd give Rotosound SM665's (40-125, stainless steel) a try.

As everyone here says, they are just about the roughest, "grippiest" strings around, so I thought I'd try and make them more comfortable by giving 'em a rub-down with steel wool and...BINGO...it works!

My main problem with them wasn't the texture, but the fact that sliding was pretty impossible, even using Fastfret. Now they're MUCH easier to slide with - like a different set of strings - and the good thing is the tone hasn't been affected either.

I put a sheet of paper under the strings to protect the fingerboard and stop bits of steel wool sticking to the pups. Then I ran fine steel wool over each string (I only went to the end of the fingerboard, 'cos I like the "grip" when playing fingerstyle).

I've got some DR Hi-beams on their way and if they're too rough, I'll try the same thing.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has tried this, or has any thoughts...

machine gewehr · #2 09-03-2007, 03:13 PM

I got a thought,you won't need to this to hi beams 'cause they are very soft,too soft for me indeed.But great strings.

bigbadjonny · #3 09-04-2007, 04:45 AM

By "soft" do you mean flexible? I hope so, 'cos I use an ebow and need the strings to be as flexible as possible without being too floppy

To reiterate, I've now played the Rotos a number of times since my initial posting and the steel wool treatment has made a REAL difference to improving the feel of them...They've gone from being unpleasant to play to being really good...

machine gewehr · #4 09-04-2007, 08:45 AM

Yes they are flexible.I'm not strong enough to bend most of the strings but I can bend these like electric guitar strings.

Also they feel softer on the fingers than most of the strings.

But I find them to be too sloppy for my taste,other than that I think they are great.

joeman583 · #5 09-04-2007, 10:27 PM

Did You notice a reduction in fret wear after rubbing the strings down with the steel wool?

bigbadjonny · #6 09-05-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeman583

Did You notice a reduction in fret wear after rubbing the strings down with the steel wool?

The way I've done it won't change fret wear - if I'd done the whole surface of each string BEFORE putting them on, maybe it would've, but it might be worth doing, so the strings are smoother for the frets too!