String cleaners and conditioners

[Klim]

Hey folks. I am in a dispute regards such stuff like string cleaners and conditioners. Do you think it really works, and could you share your thoughts and experience about. Does it make sense to use it?

[rokdog49]

Why do you think you need to use anything on your strings would be my reaction.
Is your string life extremely short to where they won’t stay in tune?
Do they become dull-sounding quickly?
Do they look corroded after a few uses?

Personally, I use lubricant / “cleaners” occasionally primarily to eliminate squeaking and for ease of play.
Get ready for the avalanche of responses that will likely leave you confused.

[rmp]

I don't really think you need anything.

If you take a cotton rag, and dampen it with some isopropyl alcohol, then pinch the strings, wipe em down with that, you will pull some of the grime off them.

the isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly and will leave no residue.

Should really be all you have to do when / if it's needed.

[JERZEY]

Its all about your needs. You are going to get lots of replies from people with all different needs. I am super strict on keeping myself and my instrument clean during my ritual. By the time my strings could justify a cleaning I loose that fresh tone I need so they get changed anyways.

Its up to you to balance your needs. That being said there is no harm in keeping your instrument clean.

[srbell]

Many years ago (like decades ago) I used to take a cotton cloth and clean the guitar strings after playing to slow the corrosion down. At that time I used uncoated strings as that was all that was available. As soon as Elixirs came out I switched to them and never looked back. I haven't bothered cleaning the strings since. They just don't gunk up like the uncoated strings used to, even after months of playing.

[lowrider]

I don't know what you want to accomplish, but I wipe the strings after almost every time I play. I don't think I need to do anything else.

[campfireplayer]

Originally Posted by lowrider

I don't know what you want to accomplish, but I wipe the strings after almost every time I play. I don't think I need to do anything else.

I do the same thing with a dry cloth.

[ship of fools]

Me I'm dead set against using any product on strings. When they do not sound right or have gotten dirty I replace them.
The cost is well worth it to me to just go and switch them out. I have never found any product that doesn't build up in between the windings so as I said no way no how for any product.
So I had always kept a old t-shirt and wiped them down as soon as I was finished playing.
But to each their own and if you don't mind product on your fingers or your fret board well that's your right.

[RussellHawaii]

After using nothing at all for a few decades, now I really like ‘Stringjoy Natural String Conditioner.’ Soy based with an antioxidant from cranberries! It’s good for the strings and the fretboard, and I’m still on my first bottle after about 5 years ( it lasts)
I use it right after changing strings and I think it slows oxidation. Also whenever they feel grungy or sticky.
While I love the Conditioner, I have not yet tried the shampoo.[emoji56]

[rllink]

The idea of being meticulous about cleaning not just the strings, but the whole guitar every time i play it appeals to me but my reality is just the opposite. I have a half dozen or more bottles and jars of polishes, creams and cleaners that I never use. I'm a sucker for every elixir that comes along. I have some D'Addario string cleaner pad thing that I'm pretty sure is an over priced magic eraser that I've used a couple of times, but not consistently enough that it does any good. I'm my case I'm not sure that the amount of attention it would take to stay on top of it would result in very much gain. In the long run it is easy enough just to change strings when they get bad enough.

[Corndog]

I'm surprised to read so many don't use a string cleaner/conditioner.
Especially on bronze acoustic strings. I've used them for years when I used D'Adarios as they would oxidize quickly, start squeaking, and started to sound dull quickly. Fast Fret was my choice.

Now I don't bother. I use Martin SPs and Monels and they last and last with no maintenance.

[Lawren]

If I reach for a guitar and and discover the strings are feeling dull, I'll zip them with Fast Fret. It doesn't work miracles, but it usually does the job in the moment. Saves me from being forced to restring when what I really wanted to do was play. I played coated strings for so long I think I got used to that slickness so its probably about feel as much as anything.

[roadbiker]

I give my strings a quick wipe after I play my guitars. I don't use any cleaner, and I don't use anything like FingerEase to apply to the strings. I don't think anything needs to get on the fretboard except when I change strings and clean it.

[Dru Edwards]

I've never used anything on my strings other than wiping them down with a cloth after playing (and washing my hands beforehand). Looking forward to responses in this thread on string cleaners.

[s2y]

I used to wipe strings down before I switched to Elixirs. Now I don't do anything and the strings last forever.