Strings for Acid Hands?!

I thought you really meant that the oils on your hands were acidic. I was going to suggest nylon tapewounds.

 

I've got nasty acid sweat, and I just accept changing my strings every 4-6 weeks during the year and 2-3 during the summer. If your 'lixers are what you like, stay with them or try another coated string, like DR's coated ones. 3-4 months seems to be a pretty long time to have roundwound strings on a bass anyways, especially if you're playing a lot and want that "new string" sound

 

I have the same problem the acid in my sweat kills string quickly. I recently tried the DR Bootzillas strings, which are coated steel low riders. They sound great so far I’ve only had them on for two weeks. DR also have the color coated strings which are the steel Hi beam type of string. The Elixirs I hear are actually coated D'addario Nickel XL's. I’ve never liked coated nickel strings to me they sound dead right out of the box.

 

The only strings that wont die that fast.. are the elixir or any coated string from DR... or others.

Thats why they were invented in the first place.. regular strings.. die quickly in comparison, but the tone is a lot better.

You have to try cleaning your strings in denatured alcohol. It has helped me a lot.

 

If you're playing often, changing your strings once a month is really not bad at all. All uncoated strings, IME, wll be dead after a few months.

 

Wipe your strings down is about the only suggestion I have.


3-4 months on roundwounds sounds about right to me.

 

Yeah, Elixirs are spendy... but so is buying strings that die three times as fast (or whatever). I say stick with the Elixirs. I dig 'em on my fivers... B string included.

 

I agree....stay with Elixers, plus use a waterless hand cleaner such as Purell Hand Sanitizer. I removes not only the sweat but the chemicals and acids in your hands. Put it on, rub hands together, then dry with clean dry towel. NO WATER.
After playing wipe the strings with clean cloth and alchohol.
This should increase their longivity.

 

I am testing coated strings myself. I did put on DR Red
as they were on sale. I have them on a little less than a week and pleasantly surprised. I have them on a Sadowsky 5 and being they are coated I thought they still had a nice edge.
But Ill let you know a few weeks from now. I usually change my strings every couple of weeks. DR's got so expensive i was buying Webstrings. But they don't last long but cheap. Im a Low Rider fan but Im into seeing if these Dr reds do the job they claim.

 

I just put some DR Black Beauties on my Stambaugh and I have found my match until my tastes change again. I love them! My only complaint is that it's hard for other players to figure out what key I'm in since my fb is dark too. They will just have to adapt! I think they sound a little better than their counterparts (Hi Beams)