Probably manufacturing residue- lube from rollers, guides, etc, and maybe polishing residue. I usually wipe new strings down with a rag wetted (not soaked) with denatured alcohol or 91% rubbing alcohol before installing. Anything further in between the wraps is insignificant as far as getting out to the fingers, and may help lube the windings and keep the core from oxidizing.
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black residue on fingers???
- Thread starter fuzzythecat
- Start date
Probably manufacturing residue- lube from rollers, guides, etc, and maybe polishing residue. I usually wipe new strings down with a rag wetted (not soaked) with denatured alcohol or 91% rubbing alcohol before installing. Anything further in between the wraps is insignificant as far as getting out to the fingers, and may help lube the windings and keep the core from oxidizing.
Loosen the strings a little bit then pull them up and then let them wack back on the fretboard. This should get a lot of the built up gunk out, yes then wipe it off.
Takes two minutes.......
Takes two minutes.......
Well it's been a couple of days now and the Black Fingers is still happening. But much less. I haven't bothered wiping the strings down or anything, I just play 'em! I've been playing about 2 hours a day and the effect is still lingering on. I don't really mind it, fingers are washable.
But I am deffo enjoying having new strings on!
But I am deffo enjoying having new strings on!
I always have it on my fingers after playing. All 3 basses, even when strings are new. I use nickel roundwounds on all 3. I always assumed it was coming off of the strings?
This. It's about the oils coming from your skin. Some people can ruin a set of strings in 5 minutes due to their body chemistry (sweat), while others don't have that happen.
Always happens to me with Dunlop nickel strings - both regular and Super Brights. One of the reasons I don't use them. Never with any other nickels.
I get black fingertips on my right hand only. Doesn't seem to happen with the left hand.
It washes right off. Using Ernie Ball Power Slinkys.
I don't remember this happening when I was playing between '73 and '93. And I was full-time, 5-6 nights a week and sessions. Took off 20 years (I counted this time) and this time, I see it every time I play.
It doesn't hurt, doesn't burn, no other reaction at all. So I don't worry about it.
It washes right off. Using Ernie Ball Power Slinkys.
I don't remember this happening when I was playing between '73 and '93. And I was full-time, 5-6 nights a week and sessions. Took off 20 years (I counted this time) and this time, I see it every time I play.
It doesn't hurt, doesn't burn, no other reaction at all. So I don't worry about it.
Arise thread...
My new bass has been giving me black fingers. Only on my left (fretting) hand, none on my right. It's a rosewood fretboard, strung with new D'Addario strings. They came that way from the store I bought it from.
All told, I've played maybe 4 hours on the bass. I was thinking the stuff would wear off, but no such luck yet. Oh well, back to playing, I guess!
String gunk -- loosen the strings -- pull them up and let them whack against the fret board. Wipe the gunk off.
Same. This happens on my recently bought Harley Benton MB5 SBK ("roseacre" fingerboard). When I rub my fingers across the frets it leaves a black streak. I immediately restrung the bass with DR Fat Beams upon arrival, so I didn't give the frets a scrub, as they are new. I tried rubbing some off with a dry cloth underneath the strings, but it seems that didn't help a whole lot. I'll give 'em a good scrub on my next string change and see what happens. I know it's not the strings because I get no blackness even if I run my fingers over the strings vigorously. Only happens with the frets themselves. Not even the board, just the metal frets.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
I've had that with some strings, not with others. There's also a distinctive smell that goes with it - not a bad smell, just distinctive (but impossible to describe).
I figured it was maybe nickel (or sthg else) in the strings reacting with something in my body. I get it a lot with acoustic guitar steel stings -- the phosphor bronze ones.
I figured it was maybe nickel (or sthg else) in the strings reacting with something in my body. I get it a lot with acoustic guitar steel stings -- the phosphor bronze ones.
It's metal particulate / oxide from the strings. Your fingers are slightly abrasive and they slowly wear down the strings on a microscopic level, as you play.
You can see the same black material left behind on a white rag if you take a fine abrasive polish to the strings.
You can see the same black material left behind on a white rag if you take a fine abrasive polish to the strings.
I've never -- or almost never -- experienced any visible residue on my fingers that can be attributed to the strings.
However, I recently purchased an acoustic bass guitar with bronze roundwound strings, and I find that after playing that instrument my fingertips smell awful!!!
However, I recently purchased an acoustic bass guitar with bronze roundwound strings, and I find that after playing that instrument my fingertips smell awful!!!
I've used strictly nickel strings for decades and this has never happened to me. Stainless steel strings, on the other hand, have left a residue on my fingers. As previously mentioned, it's all about your body's pH. Mine is really acidic and can kill a set of SS strings in less than an hour.
Resurrecting the thread once more… I just got a new Precision straight from the Corona factory and have been getting this black smudging too. I presume the factory strings are Fenders own brand. Never had this happen before except with phosphor bronze acoustic strings. I play mostly with a pick but it doesn’t seem to be happening in my right hand when I pluck. Residue from the rosewood maybe? It’s no big deal, just weird.
Replying to my own post, just heard back from Fender customer service. Residue on the fretboard from the factory most likely. No big deal to wipe down. I thought it might be something like that because it was only happening on the fretting hand.
