Tips on cleaning acoustic strings?

[JazzFanatik]

So I have noticed that when playing my acoustic guitar, i get this black stuff all on my fingers, and its not just like a little bit, it looks like im about to get finger printed or something! I hate it!

My strings are not new, they've been on for a while now. I thought it was cuz they're new, but i've had them on for like 2-3 months ( i rarely play acoustic)

BTW I use the D'Adarrio light strings.

Any suggestions on how to clean these? I have the famous yellow ernie ball cloth, but I"m wondering if adding a bit of water would help or damage the strings?

[cosmic gumbo]

I use a little Old Crow on a rag and wipe the strings down.

[monk]

Drink the Old Crow, throw the rag away and buy a new set of strings.

[ArtFinger]

change a set of Elixir strings and you won't have this problem.

[Stevebol]

Fine grade steel wool. Take a small piece and sort of roll it a little. Wrap it under the string and pull it the length of the fretboard. It will keep the strings sounding bright but won't prevent lose of intonation. No need for water.

[whiskey02]

Originally Posted by monk

Drink the Old Crow, throw the rag away and buy a new set of strings.

DRINK Old Crow... You're kidding right? That is the worst bourbon I've ever tasted.
Until you get around to buying Elixers or other coated strings, you can remove or at least loosen the string till they're far from the fingerboard. Then take a rag soaked with WD40 and wipe the hell out of them. If you take then off the guitar, you can spray them directly, let em' soak a bit and the wipe them down as best you can,

Coated string really are a great bargain, I find they last much longer than uncoated strings, but to be fair, I do not have highly corrosive sweat like some folks.

[monk]

Originally Posted by whiskey02

DRINK Old Crow... You're kidding right? That is the worst bourbon I've ever tasted.
Until you get around to buying Elixers or other coated strings, you can remove or at least loosen the string till they're far from the fingerboard. Then take a rag soaked with WD40 and wipe the hell out of them. If you take then off the guitar, you can spray them directly, let em' soak a bit and the wipe them down as best you can,

Coated string really are a great bargain, I find they last much longer than uncoated strings, but to be fair, I do not have highly corrosive sweat like some folks.

Yes, I was kidding.

I keep a soft cloth in my guitar cases and wipe the strings after playing. When they go dead, I don't bother with cleaning strings, I change them. Metal fatigue and structural deformity from pressing the string into the fret is more of a factor in strings losing tone and tunability than anything else IMO.

I don't care for coated strings. They've always felt greasy to me. I prefer the feel and tone of regular nickel strings.

When I was traveling and playing five nights a week, I changed my strings once a week. Now that jobs are less plentiful, I change every two weeks to once a month.

For the past 25 years, I've bought strings by the carton and keep extra sets in my gig bag. It saves me money and I never have a string crisis on a job.

[mike g]

I just got one of these in my stocking. Works ok.

The String Cleaner™