Nasty Guitar Strings?

Question

usually around 2 weeks or so after changing my guitar strings they become black with a few patches of silver shining through and they are really rough and bumpy (only the B and little E strings). It does the same thing on my electric guitar and i rarely play it. does this have anything to do with humidity or dirty hands perhaps?

Answer 1

Do you WIPE THEM DOWN after you play?  That is the first thing a guitar teacher instructs their students to do.  However, it sounds more to me like you play with dirty hands and I have a hard time imagining that... sorry... I have to wonder what the rest of the guitar looks like.. are your frets grungy too? beause THAT will REALLY s***w up the tone.

Answer 2

you have oily or sweaty hands.

Answer 3

it's grease and skin off ur fingers. that's it. some wipe it off, do so if u want, doesn't change **** if you leave it. humidity means body absorbs moisture in air, this affects tuning so yeah, try to keep it away from water and humidity but guitars breathe with the seasons so this flux is bound to happen. bumpy is string wear...try buying nickel-wound strings, they last longer in this respect but change em the day before ur gigs anyway. regards.

Answer 4

I recommend you try a set of Elixir strings.  I like the Nanoweb line.  They are coated with Gore-Tex so they are much more impervious to dirt, oils, and acid and at the same time they reduce or eliminate squeaks.  They are expensive but they last a long, long time so they're totally worth the price.

Answer 5

It probably has to do with both.  To extend the life of your strings, you should wash your hands before playing, wipe your strings down with a soft clean dry cloth after playing, store your guitar in a shut case when you're not playing and get a case humidifier if you are in a dry climate or a dehumidifier if you are in a wet climate.