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Topic: String Cleaners and Lubricants |
Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 7 Aug 2016 3:11 am |
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So I have been using GHS fast fret to clean and lubricate my strings.
Awesome stuff does the job but I have the feeling that over time I will end up stripping away some of the natural string lubricant more than I am replacing it.
So I just ordered some Fret ease to re-lubricate but am awaiting for it to arrive.
How do you guys clean and lubricate? 
How did the Masters do it?
PS. I love this forum its like a single minded steel family to me alone here in London.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 7 Aug 2016 5:27 am
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Stefan,
I don't think either Steel or Nickel possess any natural lubricants, only their respective coefficients of Friction. So it's doubtful that using Fast Fret will do any harm to your strings.
I've also used it myself for many years for all of my steel stringed instruments.
Keith. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 7 Aug 2016 5:38 am
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Most of those string cleaners / treatments are based on a simple mineral oil like you would find at the pharmacy.
Mineral oils are used as a base for many products including baby lotion, eye makeup, and other cosmetics. I would seriously doubt that they could or would strip away or alter the metals and alloys in strings.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 7 Aug 2016 6:31 am
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| I use a "Blitz Cloth" on my strings. I got that from Paul Franklin, back in the 80's, and he said he got it from another session steeler in Nashville). Franklin Guitar Co used to sell this at their booth at the ISGC (St Louis). |
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Will Hart
From:
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
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Posted 7 Aug 2016 12:20 pm
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| Kyser's Dr Stringfellow cleaner/lubricant is the best I've found. A real must where I live. It easily triples the life of my strings. Spray some on a rag when your done playing and wipe down the strings. Good to go until your next session. |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Aug 2016 2:06 pm
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Blitz cloth. In the early 50's when I began learning lap steel, I got them at a local Army-Navy Surplus store where I lived in Oklahoma. These were the big size, with plenty cleaner / polish in the cloth, and lasted for years.
I still use the new Blitz cloths, even though they are much smaller, they still do the job for me. I always wipe down the strings before packing up after a gig.
Thanx,
Jim |
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Brian McGaughey
From:
Orcas Island, WA USA
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Posted 8 Aug 2016 3:37 pm
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| Another Blitz Cloth fan here... |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 9 Aug 2016 8:05 am
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| When you wipe them down and you hear them squeak, you know they need cleaning. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 10 Aug 2016 3:52 am
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| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
| When you wipe them down and you hear them squeak, you know they need cleaning. |
I thought they squeak when the are clean and grunt/crunch when they rust/dirt.
...On a separate note
I tried the Finger Ease and now the bar slides over so smooth. Man I recommend highly for us Steeler's.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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