• From: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2011-05-20
  • Posts: 12

Topic: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Lads,

I've just been browsing some stuff on the web in terms of guitar strings, polishes, etc. and I came across two "Guitar String Cleaner/Lubricants". I'm somewhat interested, and I was wondering if any of you have used/are using them on your guitars. As of now I've just been using this "ToneGear String Cleaner" (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor … aning-tool), and it does an alright job in terms of getting the dirt and stuff off of the strings, but they do still lose their "freshness", and do tend to get a dull, not-so-fast feeling after a bit.

So, with this, I'm curious if it's worth buying these cleaners, or will there be much of a difference compared to your average cloth wipe-down?

Here's an example of what I'm talking about

Planet Waves Cleaner:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor … nd-cleaner

Ernie Ball:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor … ner-6-pack

There's quite a few more out there as well.

I appreciate any input,

Thanks

"follow @curtisdauphney on twitter!"

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  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

I've used FastFrets for year and it definitely extends the life of strings. I use it each and every time I put the guitar away after playing and it means I can keep the same set of strings on for maybe 50% longer than if I didn't....

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
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  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

I'm using Finger Ease and I love it!! Makes the strings feel fantastic!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

C.Dauphney wrote:

Lads,

I've just been browsing some stuff on the web in terms of guitar strings, polishes, etc. and I came across two "Guitar String Cleaner/Lubricants". I'm somewhat interested, and I was wondering if any of you have used/are using them on your guitars. As of now I've just been using this "ToneGear String Cleaner" (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor … aning-tool), and it does an alright job in terms of getting the dirt and stuff off of the strings, but they do still lose their "freshness", and do tend to get a dull, not-so-fast feeling after a bit.

So, with this, I'm curious if it's worth buying these cleaners, or will there be much of a difference compared to your average cloth wipe-down?

Here's an example of what I'm talking about

Planet Waves Cleaner:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor … nd-cleaner

Ernie Ball:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor … ner-6-pack

There's quite a few more out there as well.

I appreciate any input,

Thanks

Hi
I use finger ease before I play and after.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
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  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Yep...finger-ease for 35 years

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

GHS makes a string cloth. Polishes up the frets nice too...
http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-a8.html

I use fingerease before I play, and GHS string cloth after. Gets the grime off right away.

I used FastFret, but I don't like the oily feeling.

- 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. cool
  • From: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2011-05-20
  • Posts: 12

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Excellent. Thanks for the response everyone! I'll be sure to check all of these out - especially the GHS cloth.

Cheers!

Curtis

"follow @curtisdauphney on twitter!"

C.Dauphney's Website

8 Reply by ZeyerGTR (edited by ZeyerGTR 2012-08-13 11:24:44)

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

I tried Fast Frets many years ago and hated the way it made the strings feel.  Some folks like it, but it wasn't for me.  I've been using Elixer Nanowebs for almost ten years now and never looked back (well, occasionally, but I've never gone back to anything else).  They feel great, sound good, and last forever.  My body chemistry chews through regular strings really quick, so just wiping them down well with a cloth definitely helped, but not as much as the Nanowebs.  Especially if you rotate through guitars and might have one sitting on the rack for a couple months.

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  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

I find myself spraying heaps of finger ease all over the playing surface... Fretboard side and neck side.... Makes the guitar so slinky!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

I've got a can of fingerease and use it sometimes, but I'm not so sure how to use it best.  What do you guys do - spray it and leave it, or spray it and wipe clean?

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11 Reply by cindyron (edited by cindyron 2012-08-13 13:45:26)

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Coolaxeman wrote:

I've got a can of fingerease and use it sometimes, but I'm not so sure how to use it best.  What do you guys do - spray it and leave it, or spray it and wipe clean?

I spray it on the strings then take a cloth and grab strings and clean each string up and down and then the fret board. Also do the back of the neck. Makes your hand slide, silky smooth

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Just wipe them down with a clean cloth when your done playing and your stings will last until they need to be changed.

Don't buy into the hype.

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Spider has a good point. If you want that silky feel, get a can of generic silicone lube in a spray can. It is inert and won't hurt anything.
Rick

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  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

Someone on a forum told me to use Niagra and I would be a rock star. I don't think it worked. Everything felt stiff. wink

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Guitar String Cleaners - Are they worth it?

I been asking my doctor about  Seeing Alice... cool

- 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. cool