The ShadowMusic Web Community

If we have morphed into old aircraft, - I recall that Biggin Hill airfield had a spit and/or a huuricane at the entrance - don't know if they were real ones or fibre glass, full size replicas - haven't been there for a few years so they may have gone.

Ford airfield near Littlehampton, (now used for car boots and markets), still has an old, paint faded, Hawker Hunter at the entrance - was still there a few months ago, when I drove past.

Further to the subject of strings, I remember that, when I used to gig, I kept a cloth in the guitar case and used to wipe the underside of the strings, before putting the guitar away. It was the underside of the string where any sweat and dirt used to gather. About every 6 months it was necessary to clean the frets with an old toothbrush or cocktail stick, to remove any grime which tended to collect in the fret slots. Nowdays they hardly get dirty and just need the odd polish and wipe over as required.

Kindest regards,
Christopher

LONGPLAYER09 wrote:The Lightning went several years ago, due to "ageing" !

Likewise the strings, I imagine...

Back to strings... do you remember these?
I still have these Black Diamond strings lurking at the bottom of my guitar case.

I have seen this Fast-Fret cleaning product advertised - worth the outlay?

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accesso ... aner-p3297

Bill

I normally don't change strings until one of them breaks and I then replace all six.
But I no longer play that much any more after we left the house and moved into an apartment
in town so that whats already strung on my two guitars will probably follow me into the grave.

Hi Bill

I use either the Fender one or a fine micro fibre window cloth (dry) every time after playing to wipe the strings, even for short periods and find they stop much of the build up natural skin and oil contamination from fingers, I also like to make sure that my hands are clean prior to playing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-099-052 ... B00B5LEAFE

To me it also makes sense to use the correct lub on string contact points.

Regards

Gary

GoldenStreet wrote:I have seen this Fast-Fret cleaning product advertised - worth the outlay?
Bill

FastFret is more about lubricating the strings before playing than cleaning them afterwards, although inevitably it helps with shifting a bit of contamination when you wipe down the strings after playing.
Is it worth it? Well, it can make things more comfortable for your fretting fingers. Some swear by it, others don’t bother. At £6.99 it won’t break the bank and it will last a long time. Try it and see whether you like its effect.

If you dont suffer from sweaty finger syndrome , (i am lucky not too) Would agree that a rub down
with a good Microfibre cloth works well.
I have had excellent mileage from Elixir Acoustic Coated strings with good tone retained on a Freshman
for about 3 years . Polymer coating wearing a bit now on usual areas, so a wee change probably due!!!

Mike

Apparently, Joe Root has suffered a broken string on his guitar - in his hotel room bubble!

Bill

anniv 63 wrote:If you dont suffer from sweaty finger syndrome , (i am lucky not too) Would agree that a rub down
with a good Microfibre cloth works well.
I have had excellent mileage from Elixir Acoustic Coated strings with good tone retained on a Freshman
for about 3 years . Polymer coating wearing a bit now on usual areas, so a wee change probably due!!!

Mike

I must admit that I too do not get sweaty fingers and have never had to do the post playing wipedown.However some of the hot summer night gigs in packed out smaller venues often had an atmosphere that you couldn't see through and probable humidity readings off the scale.I often got a whiff of that when the guitar case was opened next! I am sure that smoke ladened humid smog must have shortened string life as ...well as ours!