Wash your hands before you play...but halfway through?

[billyfamilyvide]

I swear I have the worst hands in the world. I always wash my hands directly before I play, and I still have that "gunky" feel after an hour or so of playing. I have to stop and wash my hands again, and give the guitar a wipe down because I feel like I am damaging my guitar by continuing to play it.

Are there any cures to this, or anything I can do to combat it?

[billyfamilyvide]

I also give my guitar a rub down before putting it back in its case. So it isn't the guitars fault.

Would a certain brand of string help?

[Cue Zephyr]

Isn't there this magnesiumoxide powder that climbers and so use to prevent sweat from making their hands slippery?

[billyfamilyvide]

Originally Posted by Cue Zephyr

Isn't there this magnesiumoxide powder that climbers and so use to prevent sweat from making their hands slippery?

I worry that that may impact the fretboard?

I just thought of a rosin bag...maybe I should keep one of those handy.


It just sucks because my strings will begin to turn black and rust within a couple weeks. I wonder if there are any certain strings that would help. Like would a coated string be beneficial?

[fitness1]

you don't want to ADD anything to the mix......the key is to keep the fingerboard itself clean. Do you regularly clean the fingerboard between string changes, and how often to you change strings??

Here's what I do.....ever string change (typically 10 to 14 days) I take a cotton sock, turn it inside out so the "textured" side is exposed, and rub the fingberboard down really well to remove any organics that may have built up.

Also, about every 4-6 months as needed, I use 0000 steel wool to deep clean the fingerboard and remove any corrosion from the frets. Then I use a couple of drops of Lizard Spit to condition the fingerboard and rub it out REALLY well.

[billyfamilyvide]

Originally Posted by fitness1

you don't want to ADD anything to the mix......the key is to keep the fingerboard itself clean. Do you regularly clean the fingerboard between string changes, and how often to you change strings??

Here's what I do.....ever string change (typically 10 to 14 days) I take a cotton sock, turn it inside out so the "textured" side is exposed, and rub the fingberboard down really well to remove any organics that may have built up.

Also, about every 4-6 months as needed, I use 0000 steel wool to deep clean the fingerboard and remove any corrosion from the frets. Then I use a couple of drops of Lizard Spit to condition the fingerboard and rub it out REALLY well.

I don't ever "add".

Yeah, I regularly clean the fretboard, and well. It isn't so much that the guitar is dirty. Like it could be a never before touched guitar, and I still have the problem. It's in my hands. They sweat and seem to erode the strings.

[fitness1]

sounds like you have the hyper-acidic thing going on there.....

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by billyfamilyvide

I swear I have the worst hands in the world. I always wash my hands directly before I play, and I still have that "gunky" feel after an hour or so of playing. I have to stop and wash my hands again, and give the guitar a wipe down because I feel like I am damaging my guitar by continuing to play it.

Are there any cures to this, or anything I can do to combat it?

Counseling might help ...

[billyfamilyvide]

Originally Posted by fitness1

sounds like you have the hyper-acidic thing going on there.....

So would a coated string help?

I see you're in Midland, neighbor!

[jeepnstein]

I lay off the Cheetos and BBQ ribs when playing. I gave lessons to a kid once who always had Doritos on his hands and his fretboard was beyond nasty.

I once jammed with a couple of buddies and we were eating a bucket of chicken through the whole thing. I know how "reliced" guitars get that look now. It's the Colonels Secret Blend, that's the ticket.

Seriously, though, I'd say if you're having problems with oily fingers before playing just wash your hands with some Dawn dish liquid. I do that before working on projects that require no fingerprints left behind. It works really well.

[daza152]

howabout cut your playing time in half?

Daza. good luck

[Auriemma]

You could always keep a damp towel handy for your hands, and afterwards wipe down your strings and neck with a dry cloth. Then continue on.

[RoseAdi]

Rolaids relieve the acid in my stomach. Maybe they'll relieve the acid in your hands. Sorry, just sayin'.