Sweaty hands SOS! Best coated strings???

[GroovinOnFunk]

I, unfortunately, have a hereditary genetic issue with my sweat glands that causes me to have very very sweaty hands, especially when they come in contact with metal. Besides having its obvious drawbacks in social situations, it makes being a bass player damn expensive (and embarrassing to shake somebody's hand after a gig or something like that...)

Ideally, I should be changing my strings every other week. I LOVE the sound of brand new strings (of course... why couldn't I be one of those guys that likes dead roundwound sound?) but can never get my strings to sound new for more than a few weeks at MOST.

I wash my hands before picking up my bass every time, keep a wipe cloth nearby and wipe the strings down regularly, and even try using baby powder on my hands to lessen the sweating... all that jazz. They still die really really fast from the sweat and oil in my hands.

A) What's the best way to renew a set of strings? Denatured Alcohol? Boiling? Washing with soap and water? (do you just curl them up and throw them in a pot or do you need to keep them straight?)

B) What are the best sounding coated strings on the market? I've heard D'Addario and Elixirs make the best... thoughts?

C) Is it worth it to pay more for coated strings that last longer or pay less for strings that can be replaced more often?

Any other advice or thoughts appreciated.

[YogaBear]

I thought there was something like a string conditioner by dunlop,
then you have marcus miller dr strings
or just elixirs but those are no option.
If I were you, i'd just be cleaning my strings every day with some alcohol. Cheap and effective. And immedeatly dry your strings when finished playing, that's an option too.

[YogaBear]

by the way
DR STRINGS ROCK THE WORLD! LOL!

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by YogaBear

I thought there was something like a string conditioner by dunlop,
then you have marcus miller dr strings
or just elixirs but those are no option.
If I were you, i'd just be cleaning my strings every day with some alcohol. Cheap and effective. And immedeatly dry your strings when finished playing, that's an option too.

Thanks for your advice. I'm thinking about switching to DR Lo-Riders.

Do you think that the Marcus Miller strings would be better? http://www.amazon.com/DR-Strings-Fat...3&sr=1-2-fkmr0

It doesn't say that they're coated...

In general, should I be going with Stainless Steel (it's the sound I like, they tend to be cheaper, but they die way faster) or Nickel?

[GroovinOnFunk]

Can denatured alcohol hurt my fretboard if it comes in contact with it while I'm cleaning the strings?

I've never tried renewing dead strings with alcohol... but it would seem to me that since the strings sound dead as a result of grime/oil/sweat and not overstretching or anything like that, that perhaps it would be possible to renew it.

Can I just pull the strings off my bass, coil them up, throw them in a pot and boil it in the alcohol? Or do you boil it in water and then soak in alcohol?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by YogaBear

I thought there was something like a string conditioner by dunlop,
then you have marcus miller dr strings
or just elixirs but those are no option.
If I were you, i'd just be cleaning my strings every day with some alcohol. Cheap and effective. And immedeatly dry your strings when finished playing, that's an option too.

[darkstorm]

I think elixers sound terrible myself. Only coated strings Ive tried and liked are the new DR Neons. If you dont want neon color try their black beauties which now also use the same coating as the neons. They use to use diff coating on them before the neons came out btw.

[Joe Smithberger]

Maybe LaBella Tapewound DTF's (760N) these are roundwounds covered in black nylon. They don't work that well if you are a slapper, but once you get them on, the sound doesn't change much. I have been running them on my Fender P5 for a couple of weeks and like it quite a bit.

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

I think elixers sound terrible myself. Only coated strings Ive tried and liked are the new DR Neons. If you dont want neon color try their black beauties which now also use the same coating as the neons. They use to use diff coating on them before the neons came out btw.

I actually have the DR Neons on my bass right now. Really wasn't thrilled with them. I think the novelty of having bright pink strings wore off pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by Joe Smithberger

Maybe LaBella Tapewound DTF's (760N) these are roundwounds covered in black nylon. They don't work that well if you are a slapper, but once you get them on, the sound doesn't change much. I have been running them on my Fender P5 for a couple of weeks and like it quite a bit.

Unfortunately, I am a bit of a slapper... so perhaps these won't work.

Any thoughts on spraying my hands with denatured alcohol instead of the strings?
Can spraying the strings with denatured alcohol after every use have any negative effects on the wood, frets, or strings?

[madbassplaya]

I'm not a huge fan of coated strings, but EXP's by D'Addario have been the best I've played.

I've played the following:
Elixir-they are ok, but when they die, they die hard!
DR's-the coating is baked on and while they did sound pretty good, that crap flaked off and it really started to bother me. Also they didn't last that much longer to me.
EXP's-lasted the longest out of these three sets and they felt great and had a great sound.

[copasetic]

Have you considered using one of the newest generation anti-perspirants? You apply about once a week and it practically eliminates sweating. Not 100% about use on the hands, but it might be worth it in your case.

Check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Certain-Dri-An...5817629&sr=8-4

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by copasetic

Have you considered using one of the newest generation anti-perspirants? You apply about once a week and it practically eliminates sweating. Not 100% about use on the hands, but it might be worth it in your case.

Check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Certain-Dri-An...5817629&sr=8-4

I have not considered this to be honest with you. Hyperhidrosis is what I have but pretty much just my hands and feet. (at least I don't smell...)

I suppose I'll do some reading up on whether u can use them on hands. Thanks for the link! That's a great starting point.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by GroovinOnFunk

Can I just pull the strings off my bass, coil them up, throw them in a pot and boil it in the alcohol? Or do you boil it in water and then soak in alcohol?

I wouldn't boil strings in alcohol...fire hazard/noxious fumes.

[Qvist]

Originally Posted by GroovinOnFunk

I have not considered this to be honest with you. Hyperhidrosis is what I have but pretty much just my hands and feet. (at least I don't smell...)

I suppose I'll do some reading up on whether u can use them on hands. Thanks for the link! That's a great starting point.

Yeah let us know how it works out man, you're not alone with them sweaty hands and this issue

[kosmicwizard]

Originally Posted by copasetic

Have you considered using one of the newest generation anti-perspirants? You apply about once a week and it practically eliminates sweating. Not 100% about use on the hands, but it might be worth it in your case.

Check this out: http://www.amazon.com/Certain-Dri-An...5817629&sr=8-4

Copasetic you might have just changed the mans life! That is much better than discussing subjective subtleties of tone in one's choice of strings. Props to you buddy! Cheers all.

[GroovinOnFunk]

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

Copasetic you might have just changed the mans life! That is much better than discussing subjective subtleties of tone in one's choice of strings. Props to you buddy! Cheers all.

I wasn't trying to discuss subtleties in tone though... I was just wondering which lasted the longest.

That being said, I suppose I will try one of these. I just wonder how effective it will be on my hands. I could understand applying it to your arm pits like deodorant... but hands?? I just dont know about that.

I guess you just apply it at night. I hate the thought of having to wrap my hands up when I go to sleep but... I suppose it's better than having constantly sweaty hands.

[fretlessguy]

I'll second what madbassplya said...D'Addario EXP. They were cheaper than Elixers at that time, and felt and sounded better to me.

[oldbassplayergu]

have you tried rubbing alcahol on your hands before you start playing. I had the same thing going on with my hands. wash your hands first then the alcahol and towel dry them. give it a shot, but use lotion after the gig or the next day, It will dry your skin out. the coated strings will help too. Good luck

[FunkMetalBass]

A) Carry a soft towel with you to wipe off your hands and strings as often as possible (even during gigs). They'll last a little longer. When they're "dead", a denatured alcohol soak can help rejuvenate them back to near-new state.

B) I really like the sound of EB coated strings. Elixirs sound dull and lifeless on every bass I've ever played with them.

C) I don't think so, especially because boiling or denature alcohol will not play nicely with the coating.

[GroovinOnFunk]

I just don't like the sound of any coated strings i've tried yet. i think i'll just go with Dean Markley SR2000s for now (they're super cheap) and I'll use the alcohol like recommended.

Here's the thing though, I've read a few things that say that denatured alcohol should never come in contact with skin. Instead, it recommends using rubbing alcohol. Thoughts? Will rubbing alcohol have the same effect of drying my hands?

[Phalex]

Get yourself some flats. They get better with funk.