black residue on fingers???

[fuzzythecat]

I'm sure this has been answered before, but does anybody else get black residue on their fingers while playing??

[NinjaPred]

Don't know if this helps but, my friend plays an acoustic six string that has an ebony fretboard. Every time he plays it his finger tips get black stuff on them.

I've never experienced that before on my bass, but it has a rosewood fretboard.

[gard0300]

Sometimes the fretboard just needs cleaned. I washed off all kinds of black stains from both of my rosewood fretboards, when they were new.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by NinjaPred

Don't know if this helps but, my friend plays an acoustic six string that has an ebony fretboard. Every time he plays it his finger tips get black stuff on them.

I've never experienced that before on my bass, but it has a rosewood fretboard.

Your friend's fretboard is probably dyed to look like ebony. Ebony doesn't come off on one's fingers.

[StoBro]

I get black residue on my fingers, and it has nothing to do with the fretboard. I get it on both hands, anywhere that my hands touch the strings. It happens with basses and guitars, often but not all of the time. I'd like to know what causes it and what can be done to prevent it.

[eee]

I think it's just string gunk. I get it too, but only from older strings, or the strings on basses I play all the time. Bonus: it smells bad too!

Jamerson said the dirt keeps the funk. Don't worry about it.

[Turock]

Stop buying cheap strings.

[Turock]

I got it recently from a new bass with the factory strings. After I played it a few days it stopped happening. In fact, factory strings on a new bass is the only time it has happened to me.

[StoBro]

I usually use D'addario strings and I wonder if the sealed plastic pouches that the strings are packed in seals in oils from the manufacturing process? The staining on my hands seems to happen more with new or new-ish strings.

[Turock]

Originally Posted by StoBro

I usually use D'addario strings and I wonder if the sealed plastic pouches that the strings are packed in seals in oils from the manufacturing process? The staining on my hands seems to happen more with new or new-ish strings.

That sounds like a good theory.

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by StoBro

I usually use D'addario strings and I wonder if the sealed plastic pouches that the strings are packed in seals in oils from the manufacturing process? The staining on my hands seems to happen more with new or new-ish strings.

Happened every time I bought D'Addario strings.

[pnut166]

Certain strings may have alloys in them that react with your sweat / pH.

[NinjaPred]

Originally Posted by Turock

Your friend's fretboard is probably dyed to look like ebony. Ebony doesn't come off on one's fingers.

Ooooh, hah! Learn something new every day.

[Joe Nerve]

Are you talking about with an acoustic electric bass? If so, most of them come with bronze strings that turn your fingers black. Put on regular steel strings and it won't happen any more.