tips for keeping strings loose (Page 1 of 2)

I used Ernie Ball slinky 10's on my LP and top wrap them and they are pretty slinky...I've considered going to 11's but I have like a bunch of packs of 10's still left and I don't want to waste them...

You could try maybe getting a truss rod adjustment or something maybe the tension on the neck is too tight or something...Or maybe just practice bending the strings til your fingers get stronger....

One thing I do is I practice a lot of my runs and licks on my acoustic and I think that helps build finger strength. Then when I go to play electric the strings feel a lot easier to play on.

Do you have corrosive sweat?  When I was younger, my sweat had the same effect as the molecular acid blood from the 'Alien' movies...literally used to eat through the metal bits of my guitars. 

Nowadays not so bad, but I got into the habit of thoroughly wiping down my strings after each playing session.  Seemed to help their longevity and also their feel.

Another thing you can try is to use that 'String Eze' spray on your strings every now and then.  Tends to make the entire fretboard seem smoother - but a lot of guitarists hate that.  I tend to use it only when the strings are getting really old, and I really should be changing them but can't be bothered.

I used to use EB Slinky's as well - 10's to 46, but lately changed to nickel strings for a bit of difference.  I like the warmth of the nickel strings, and they seem to last longer, but they seem to 'grind' against the frets when bending which is a bit off putting!

For "springy" I'm not sure. It seems like the springier the string, the less it will stay in tune. I only get a week or so of "perfect spring/tune" before my strings start getting grungy.

I've tried different things to get my strings not get all gross.
I've tried finger ease and a rag. Just can't get into the habit of using it
the plastic clip with cloth inside to wipe up and down the fretboard.... same problem... can't get into the habit.
Fast Fret.. I don't like how it feels.
Changing strings when needed seems like the only option I'm willing to abide.

Brandwise?
I've been using Ernie Ball 10 reg. slinky on anything Gibson and D'Addario 10's on my PRS and Fender strats. For some reason, I tend to favor EB on the Gibbys and D'A's on Fenders... no rhyme or reason or than voodoo and preference.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

I've used the optima gold strings on my LP - I liked them, they don't feel coated and they don't corrode. 

If you stretch the strings correctly when you first put them on it'll take about 10 to 15 minutes, not three days Jetpilot. I'm guessing you put the strings on and just tune them to pitch - and then find you have to keep repeating the process until they settle down over a period of days? You need to pull them gently but fairly firmly away from the fingerboard (not enough to break them  ) so that they drop in pitch and then retune them to pitch. Simply repeat the process until they don't detune when you tug on them. Oh, and do them one at a time 

My best friend bought a Standard Fender Telecast MIM and he kept the original strings on that bad boy.  I got to play it when he frist got it.  For a week before I got to play it again he played it a total of 5 hours, the strings were like what my acoustic strings would look like if I didn't change them in 5 years!  Rusty and I thought I need a shot after playing that guitar.  When I asked what happened to it he said "I sweat so much I have to use coated strings to get any life on them at all!"  For years I told him Elixers muffle the sound, but in his case I understand completely.  Muffled strings sound better coated then a uncoated string that is rusty and has no snap left to its tone.

No probs mate, just trying to help. It's obvious that strings don't stay in tune and that it's usual for them to change pitch, sometimes simply due to temperature changes and that's why, as I'm sure you and many others know, we all check the tuning whenever we pick up a guitar. I still think it's odd that you're having noticable string slippage for 3 days after restringing but hey, if you say you're taking all the stretch out of the strings then who am I to argue  I know that my method works, been using it for nearly 40 years, as do a couple of techs that I know and many friends who, like me, also gig regularly. As for boiling strings - it used to be considered a way to prolong the life of a string but that was years ago. Still, go ahead and boil away   

Hi Jeff. Yeah, I've never known a bass player boil his strings in the old days rather than fork out £20 on a new set  Good to see you posting on here too my friend. Up and running is pretty much right    I posted a link to my band The Swamp Cats over on Other Artists....take a look see......you might feel the groove. (Sorry, off topic there). Just a thought about stretching strings.....I guess we've all seen SRV at Austin City Limits when he breaks a string and swaps guitars whilst in full flow. The tech takes away his #1 Strat and then returns with it for the next song with new string in place. Do you reckon he boiled it first or just stretched the #### out of it??