How to make sticky flats slippery?

[Morris2103]

I have a set of flats on my jazz, and noticed the "sticky" texture they had compared to rounds, which is all I've ever used up until last week. I'm not sure what the stock strings used on it are (I'm guessing fender) I have some "alice" guitar cleaner and was wondering if that would do anything to lessen the sticky, or are there other flats with less stick to them?

 

[Ballin'bass]

Ducks Deluxe : Dr.Duck's Ax Wax & String Lube : World Headquarters

No affiliation with the company. It's just the best stuff for all things string/fingerboard/frets/finishes.

 

[Luckydog]

Thanks, but that didn't work. The steel wool trick did work, though. Now they feel nice and slick. Thanks everyone.

Now if only flatwound manufacturers would do this final smoothing step, they'd have a winner. seems like every product I buy, I have to Mcgyver something with it in order for it to realize its (IME), full potential. Oh wait, if they steel wooled the strings in their last production process, they would then be able to call them Hand Burnished, and charge twice as much!

 

[shawshank72]

I know your problem was solved but this video by a fellow tber is what i have always done.
Maybe others will see it in a search.

 

[dukeandrews]

Great video. That was very similar to how I did it except with scotch brite I snstead of steel wool.

 

[dukeandrews]

I'll use scotch brite next time.

 

[Ballin'bass]

Would using steel wool or sand paper make micro abrasions on the metal of the string? Wouldn't this cause it to oxidize, age and rust faster, thus reducing the life of the strings? Just wondering.

 

[Luckydog]

Hasnt cause any damage to mine in decades. I wouldnt use a wire brush that would dig channels into the strings, but 0000 steel wool is very very fine and tackles the dried machine oils, lacquer, wax and residue of compounds used during manufacture.

 

[JustForSport]

Would using steel wool or sand paper make micro abrasions on the metal of the string? Wouldn't this cause it to oxidize, age and rust faster, thus reducing the life of the strings? Just wondering.

ScotchBrite pads are designed for metal finishing and polishing.

I wouldn't use sandpaper because it can cause scratches and leave grit behind.

I don't use steel wool because the small wires (that steel wool is made of) can get stuck in between the wraps, and because strings are magnetic, hold them until they get pulled out onto the pickups or maybe work out of the grooves and get into your fingers.

Take a jeweler's loupe or strong magnifying glass and look at the new strings- the wrap is already full of scratches
and you can also see the sharp edges of the wraps- they haven't been polished and smoothed like some other flats are.

A ScotchBrite pad can actually smoothen the surface of the outer wrap.

 

[amusicalperson]

Fried chicken is an old standard.

I keep reading on here that Jaco notable ate Friend Chicken before every gig for that reason. I'm not trying to debunk it but I did read his biography; funny they didn't mention it. It would have made many a funny story I'm sure!

 

[Luckydog]

Yeah scotchbrite pads would likely be even better, based on justforsport's comments.

 

[michael_t]

I keep reading on here that Jaco notable ate Friend Chicken before every gig for that reason. I'm not trying to debunk it but I did read his biography; funny they didn't mention it. It would have made many a funny story I'm sure!

I don't know about Jaco, but the last thing I would want to do is to play my bass with greasy fingers!

Besides, if I were to eat fried chicken before every gig, it would be my own health I'd be worried about, never mind how sticky my strings are.

 

[amusicalperson]

I don't know about Jaco, but the last thing I would want to do is to play my bass with greasy fingers!

Besides, if I were to eat fried chicken before every gig, it would be my own health I'd be worried about, never mind how sticky my strings are.

I fully agree with you! Just stating something I had read on here several times. To quote a local radio DJ: "Do you want to know how you keep an old tractor runnin'? Lots of grease!"

 

[Funkmabassup]

1.Eat a bag of cheesedoodles
2 DONT wash your hands and play your bass

 

[howlin]

First you need to mechanically remove any laquer, dried machine oil, grit, whatever that may be left on them. Use 0000 steel wool, rubbing them well. Do this off the bass. Fix the ball end into something solid, then grab the tuner end and steel wool them very well. You wont hurt them with a lot of pressure. After that, use a rag to wipe off all loose residue including steel bits. After that, if you wish, you can use whatever you like as a lube, if you even need it. I've use plain hand lotion, mineral oil, or whatever. You might not want or need lube at all. Some ppl think that step will damage the strings. It wont any more than years of handling them with greasy hands.
The smoothing step with the steel wool is the most important and effective thing you can do.

^ This is exactly what I do with all flats whether they need them or not. Just put a set of LaBella Low Tension flats on my P and, even though they're super smooth to begin with, I went ahead and used steel wool on them anyway.

Fantastic strings BTW!

 

[howlin]

Would using steel wool or sand paper make micro abrasions on the metal of the string? Wouldn't this cause it to oxidize, age and rust faster, thus reducing the life of the strings? Just wondering.

I think that you're over thinking things a bit. ;-)

 

[Robroy]

Take your plucking fingers and rub them on your forhead and nose to get a nice coating of slick face grease. Works like a charm.

*only semi kidding, this actually works.

That is exactly what I do.

 

[Ballin'bass]

I think that you're over thinking things a bit. ;-)

Well it seems like it would be a real factor to think about. It does seem like the oils and acids from your hands would get into the metal easier and degrade it faster. I could see that seriously shortening the life of the strings.

 

[Staredge]

Take your plucking fingers and rub them on your forhead and nose to get a nice coating of slick face grease. Works like a charm.

*only semi kidding, this actually works.

Sort of. I put Roto 77's on my bass a month or so ago. Usually good for a couple of songs before I start hanging up on them. This works a little bit, but unfortunately once sweat starts it just makes it worse. Tried drying my fingers out as well. I'm playing towards the tips a lot more now, as that seems to help. I need to try the scotch brite and see if that helps any. Love the strings, otherwise.

 

[Joedog]

My D'Addario 1/2 rounds were sticky at first, but gradually got better. After a week or so of playing about an hour a day, they are fine. I rub them down briskly with a towel after each session.