Strings going bad too quickly!

[glitchcat9]

So I just put a new set of roundwound rotosounds on my warwick only about two weeks ago. I have played the bass around 6 times since then but never for more than an hour and already my E string is full of brown rust patches.

This has never happened to me before, anyone have any idea why this is the case? The strings still sound new but they look like they are a year old already!

 

[Jonathan1990]

Pics!

 

[BB-414]

Interesting, as I have a similar problem:

I recently put brand new D'Addario EXL strings on my Yamaha BB-414 and after two gigs the strings went weak - ie. the E-string sounded even more hollow than usual
But rust? No...

I think it's my aggressive hand sweat and am currently playing with the thought of getting me Rotosounds SH-77 Flats to solve that issue.

 

[glitchcat9]

cant get a picture of it, no camera.

It must have gotten wet more than the usual sweat at some point

 

[knucklehead G]

Have you tried coated strings?

 

[BB-414]

Maybe humidity is a problem at this time of the year? I don't know how it is in Chicago but over here in Kiel it is indeed a problem in summer.

Coated strings could help

 

[dulac]

try elixir strings

they're great

 

[rodl2005]

I get that & I find it's almost worthless me buying NON-COATED strings nowadays!
One gig..... leave in case for a week- they have dirt spots & sound 1/2 dead AND this is after I wipe 'em down with 'alky-hole' after playing too!!!!

 

[phatbass]

1. Wash hands before playing.

2. Wipe the strings down, on both sides, after playing, using a CLEAN lint-free cloth.

 

[rodl2005]

1. Do that.

2. Do that too.

STILL they go bad quick- acid hands- sweaty as all get out thru gig... etc...

3. might try wearing silk gloves like Mbappe!?!?!!!??!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Munjibunga]

If your strings don't last at least four years, you're doing something wrong.

 

[rodl2005]

Well ROUNDS I buy especially FOR their NEW sound- or a slightly worn in sound from 'em!
But my flats- yeah THEY last YEARS!!

 

[EagleMoon]

Rotosounds are notorious for dying quickly. But rusty seems kind of odd if they're stainless.

 

[rodl2005]

I'm using D'addario's in this instance- tho it happens with ANY sort. Basically I GOTTA go with coateds if I wanna get a few weeks gigs outt 'em. Still interested to try the silk gloves option!!!
BTW I DO use the TB recommended denatured alcohol in a sealed container- soak strings for 24 hrs, dry em, & they're basically new again! THAT has saved me $$$$$$$$

 

[Munjibunga]

Rotosounds are notorious for dying quickly. But rusty seems kind of odd if they're stainless.

I used Rotos one time. They corroded very quickly and felt icky. Nomo Roto.

 

[pig]

I have a friend with this problem and its because when he plays his bass his hands are so sweaty. Even if you wipe the strings down after you play the sweat has already done most of the damage while you were playing.

 

[rodl2005]

I just read the UK BG Mag's article/interview w/ Ettiene Mbappe & how HE had the exact same prob. 'Acid hands' sweaty hands etc.....

So his wife suggested gloves.

He tried Woolen ones- No good. Then tried SILK gloves & LOVES them- Loves the sound he gets with them AND they enable him to get thru a gig at LEAST without his roundwounds going dead. He NEVER does a gig without them now- well he actually said-"I'm never without them".

I've found while I can easily get thru a gig with a new set of rounds, If I leave the bass in it's case for a week- until the next weekends gigs for example- EVEN tho I'll have wiped down the strings, AND washed my hands before each set- the ONE WEEK old strings- that've been used on ONE gig, will have lumpy bits of rust/gunk etc on 'em.

They'll actually still SOUND OK-(I actually prefer the sound of roundwounds after a gig-rather than brand-spankin' new) but they LOOK like cr@p & FEEL like it too.

SO I'm gonna try the silk gloves method- as soon as I can find a suitable pair.....!!!
Will report my findings.