String longevity

[X12]

Hi all

I noticed something weird with the strings of one of my guitars today. They are almost dead even though I changed them about 3 weeks ago. I didn't play the guitar for about a week. I use d'addario 9 and on my other guitars they last for months. What could explain that on this particular guitar they don't last as long? It as a ebony fretboard and I keep all my guitars in their cases, in the same room, and the humidity is controlled. I hope my post made sense.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: String longevity

What I would do is wipe them down with a string cleaner like the Dunlop 65. That's my fave, but any of the string cleaners on the market might help.

Bill

 

[JeffB]

Re: String longevity

I wipe mine down with dunlop cleaner after every play, but I kill strings deader than dead after about 10-12 days. Some brands within 2 or 3 days.

Harder frets, or poorly crowned/radiused frets will also wear strings out quicker.

 

[stratguy23]

Re: String longevity

You could have gotten a bad pack, although D'Addarios are remarkably consistent, perhaps the most so out of all the brands.

If you restring with the same kind of set, and go through the same playing wear but with greater string longevity, then, yeah, you got a bad pack.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: String longevity

Some people have sweat/finger oil that is on the acidic side - years ago, a good friend came over and played my acoustic guitar...the next day the strings were totally corroded. I was like, what the h?? I had never had that happen before; my strings have always stayed pretty much fresh until they break (barring normal wear at the frets, etc.). A little while later, he came back and played it again - next day, same thing. I remember subsequently telling him "I love you like a brother...but you are never touching one of my guitars again!" So, the moral is, wipe 'em down after you play, and use a reputable cleaning agent to be on the safe side.