Moon 5 string flatwounds?

[Winton]

I’m posting this to ask about the marks on my fingers after playing them (and also to share about a rare set of strings).

I found a set of flatwounds by Moon (a Japanese guitar company) which they’re not known for strings. So most likely these are older strings. And according to the marking on the plastic, they rarely made 5 string flats (who did back then?).

The weird thing about these strings is the way the surface looked when I opened them.

I immediately thought, “Maybe it’s one of them coated strings?” (as you may have as well). I strung them up right away to check how they sound.

The upper strings were strangely bright but not roundwound bright. They had a nice brilliance and the noiselessness that flatwounds have. This was nice for me since my Carvin SB5000 is a tad trebly. The E string was oddly thuddy and not as interesting but still has a fat core to its sound. The B string sounds AWESOME, at least for now. The E is 0.100 so I’m guessing the B string is a lower gauge. I usually use Daddario NYXL, which sound and feel amazing but I really love these Moon strings so far!

Anyways, I noticed dark smudges on my fingers, especially my left hand. Does this happen with any type of strings that you know of?

 

[michael_t]

I noticed dark smudges on my fingers, especially my left hand. Does this happen with any type of strings that you know of?

I've had that happen with both D'Addario Chromes Flats and Fender 9050 Flats (both from D'Addario factory). I learned it was just the residue of the compound used for the final polishing process at the factory, which also made them sticky at the beginning.

 

[Winton]

I've had that happen with both D'Addario Chromes Flats and Fender 9050 Flats (both from D'Addario factory). I learned it was just the residue of the compound used for the final polishing process at the factory, which also made them sticky at the beginning.

Do they stop becoming sticky over time?
That’s the only thing I don’t care for these flats are how sticky it is at the moment.

 

[michael_t]

Do they stop becoming sticky over time?
That’s the only thing I don’t care for these flats are how sticky it is at the moment.

Whatever gunk that might be on there right now will eventually wear off as they get played in.

My first encounter with the D'A Chromes and my finger tips turning black was what got me into the habit of wiping down all new strings thoroughly BEFORE INSTALLATION.