Strings for Acid Hands?!

**TheEmptyCell** · #1 12-06-2005, 06:12 PM

Mmk. Here is the short story. I've owned my Ibanez SR506 since April 04. It came with Elixirs, which I loved for the longest time. After about 8 months of solid use, I put on some La Bella Steel's in custom gauges from www.juststrings.com

I had a terrible experience with them. I ordered 6 individual strings, only ended up recieving 3. So paid shipping out the behind, and ended up stringing with various mixed brand strings till I ordered another set of Elixirs.

I loved the steel tone, so after these Elixirs pooped out on me (broken E and A during a dropping accident), I ordered a set of D'addario Prosteels. I feel in love with the tone yet again... for the first month at least. Then they died. I didn't like the B anyways... a .130 for a B just doesn't work for me.

I went back to D'addario Nickel XL's. The tone was fine, but like the other strings, died quickly. I've had 'em on for 3 or 4 months now, and they sound like poop. I like the .135 B though. The Prosteels on my Fender and my fretless died just as fast, which I can only attribute to acid hands... my hands sweat like a 700 lb man in Arizona sunshine.

So... what should I do? I loved the Elixir tone, but the price for a 6'er set killed me everytime. Plus the B sucks. Prosteels and Nickel XL's died too fast. Are there any alternatives to a longer lasting string? I wipe them down and clean them everytime I play too. Please, help!

teej · #2 12-06-2005, 06:19 PM

I thought you really meant that the oils on your hands were acidic. I was going to suggest nylon tapewounds.

Indi86 · #3 12-06-2005, 08:28 PM

I've got nasty acid sweat, and I just accept changing my strings every 4-6 weeks during the year and 2-3 during the summer. If your 'lixers are what you like, stay with them or try another coated string, like DR's coated ones. 3-4 months seems to be a pretty long time to have roundwound strings on a bass anyways, especially if you're playing a lot and want that "new string" sound

HMZ · #4 12-07-2005, 04:19 AM

I have the same problem the acid in my sweat kills string quickly. I recently tried the DR Bootzillas strings, which are coated steel low riders. They sound great so far I’ve only had them on for two weeks. DR also have the color coated strings which are the steel Hi beam type of string. The Elixirs I hear are actually coated D'addario Nickel XL's. I’ve never liked coated nickel strings to me they sound dead right out of the box.

Luis Fabara · #5 12-07-2005, 07:50 AM

The only strings that wont die that fast.. are the elixir or any coated string from DR... or others.

Thats why they were invented in the first place.. regular strings.. die quickly in comparison, but the tone is a lot better.

You have to try cleaning your strings in denatured alcohol. It has helped me a lot.

Dan1099 · #6 12-07-2005, 07:54 AM

If you're playing often, changing your strings once a month is really not bad at all. All uncoated strings, IME, wll be dead after a few months.

**TheEmptyCell** · #7 12-07-2005, 05:45 PM

Well, I'm gonna start testing sets out. I may go with some Bootzilla's on the Fender, see how I like 'em. I WILL NOT buy DR coated after the terrible experience I had with them on my acoustic guitar. The low E sounded like a flatwound within TWO days of stringing, and I played it 3 or 4 times for maybe 15 minutes.

Juniorkimbrough · #8 12-07-2005, 06:16 PM

Wipe your strings down is about the only suggestion I have.

3-4 months on roundwounds sounds about right to me.

Fuzzbass · #9 12-07-2005, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

I loved the Elixir tone, but the price for a 6'er set killed me everytime. Plus the B sucks.

Yeah, Elixirs are spendy... but so is buying strings that die three times as fast (or whatever). I say stick with the Elixirs. I dig 'em on my fivers... B string included.

LoveThatBass · #10 12-08-2005, 03:43 AM

I agree....stay with Elixers, plus use a waterless hand cleaner such as Purell Hand Sanitizer. I removes not only the sweat but the chemicals and acids in your hands. Put it on, rub hands together, then dry with clean dry towel. NO WATER.
After playing wipe the strings with clean cloth and alchohol.
This should increase their longivity.

Bassist30 · #11 12-08-2005, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

Well, I'm gonna start testing sets out. I may go with some Bootzilla's on the Fender, see how I like 'em. I WILL NOT buy DR coated after the terrible experience I had with them on my acoustic guitar. The low E sounded like a flatwound within TWO days of stringing, and I played it 3 or 4 times for maybe 15 minutes.

I am testing coated strings myself. I did put on DR Red
as they were on sale. I have them on a little less than a week and pleasantly surprised. I have them on a Sadowsky 5 and being they are coated I thought they still had a nice edge.
But Ill let you know a few weeks from now. I usually change my strings every couple of weeks. DR's got so expensive i was buying Webstrings. But they don't last long but cheap. Im a Low Rider fan but Im into seeing if these Dr reds do the job they claim.

jay_t · #12 12-08-2005, 07:11 PM

I just put some DR Black Beauties on my Stambaugh and I have found my match until my tastes change again. I love them! My only complaint is that it's hard for other players to figure out what key I'm in since my fb is dark too. They will just have to adapt! I think they sound a little better than their counterparts (Hi Beams)