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Topic: Cleaning strings |
Archie Nicol R.I.P.
From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 4:58 pm |
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I have always had a steel guitar rag for wiping sweaty dampness from the strings during a gig.
Does the the material of the rag effect your sound? Do fibres trapped under the strings at the changer dull sustain?
In other words, what is the best steel guitar rag? Seriously, no pun intended.
Cheers, Arch. |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 1 Nov 2004 6:03 pm
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Most important is keeping the hand oils and sweat off the strings. Wiping down the strings with a soft cloth will do a lot to avoid them going dead prematurely.
I use a Blitz Cloth, manufactured by the Blitz Mfg. Co. of Jeffersonville, Indiana, here in the states. They are available through several vendors on the Internet. Not sure whether it would be worth the cost to ship them overseas. This cloth is impregnated with a material that polishes metal by removing a very small layer of the surface, exposing the shiny stuff below. In the process, the tarnish is removed and a black mark appears on the cloth. I use one for one to three months before it wears out or becomes so black it is not usable any longer. The Blitz Cloth is used by the US Armed Services to polish brass buckles, buttons, etc. as part of the uniform. Another thing the residue does is to prolong the life of the strings by coating it lightly with a slippery, oily substance that somehow does not make the strings sound dead. To the contrary, a set of strings lasts me much longer when I use the Blitz Cloth regularly. It's also great to polish any of the polished aluminum parts like endplates and pedal bars.
Yes, no matter what type of cloth you use, you will run the risk of some small fibres getting stuck in the roller nut and between the string and the changer finger / bridge. Be sure to remove any debris that is left behind in the process of wiping or cleaning the strings.
They really do sound better and last longer if you take the time to keep the strings clean.
Hope this helps.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
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Archie Nicol R.I.P.
From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posted 2 Nov 2004 4:05 pm
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Larry;
I will try to find a supplier in Europe.
Thanks, Arch. |
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Wally Maples
From:
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2004 5:16 pm
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| You can also find the Blitz at Army surplus stores and overseas get a US military guy to pick one up for you at the base PX. |
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Gary Shepherd
From:
Fox, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2004 3:30 pm
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| Quote: |
| I have always had a steel guitar rag for wiping sweaty dampness from the strings during a gig. |
So you've always had a Steel Guitar Rag?
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Gary Shepherd
Sierra Session 12
www.16tracks.com
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