Stringcare: GHS, Kyser.. Do you use it?

[Gothax]

I've noticed that hellalot people here use alcohol / boiling method to clean their strings. I've never done that before but I did buy GHS Fast Fret. It's a stick with mineral oils which you have to rub over the strings before and after playing your bass.
This stuff works pretty good (especially on nickelwounds), it smoothens the strings (oil... what did you expect?) and it cleans them a bit. If you use this method every day, your strings do remain bright for a whole while (you wipe off the dead skin with the enclosed polish cloth)

Also kyser, which produces lemon oil also produces bottles with string cleaner and there are some other brands that sell string cleaner stuff.

Fastfret costs about € 5,- ($5,50?)
Kyser stringcleaner € 5,50 ($6 - 6,50) for a 4 oz bottle
Planet waves polish cloth, € 3,50 ($4)
and this stuff can be used for a long time (c'mon it's a big bottle)

I'm wondering about your experiences. I'm happy with GHS Fastfret but will try the stringcleaner stuff in a week (larger bottles for same price)

Let me know!

Gothax

[joeman583]

I love GHS Fast Fret, I rely on it all the time. I do use it every time I play, before and after. I didn't notice any string brightness being loss from it. It really cleans the strings and prolongs their life. Fast Fret will also soften the surface of the strings too, which makes for faster playing. I love fast fret! My advice would be to use it.

[Gothax]

well I bought Kyser string cleaner last week and it's pretty handy. it cleans your strings and it leaves a micro-film layer on it. coating..anyone?

[DemoEtc]

I use Dunlop Ultraglide 65 sometimes. It seems to take tarnish off - at least some gray stuff comes off on the cleaning cloth I use. I think I'd like to try the FastFret though; heard good things about it.

I also use Fingerease when play, giving the neck and strings a light spray and then spraying more on my fingertips.

[darthplagis]

try the fender/maguires care kit not only do you get the polish and stuff but a cool degreaser spray that melts the crud off the bass (be it sweat and skin on the back of body from those flea naked moments, or the build up of crap on the frets and strings) you just spray it on leave to melt then wipe off. i also use fast fret after i have done this as i like the lubed up string feel (elixirs are too damn expensive) also i only do the spray thing every couple of weeks when there is fret buildup.

i would avoid lemon oil it can damage and dry out your fret board

[Gothax]

what should I use for the fretboard?