i hope this question doesn't sound too strange

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hello everyone
I hope this message finds you all safe and well , here is the story , a while ago i was placed on a medication for high blood pressure from my GP ( Im fine now)One of the side effects was sometimes or quite often i seem to have very sweaty hands or so it seems

As a result i seem to be going through loads of guitar strings ,I am wondering if any forum members have had similar issues and if so what did you do ?


id be curious to hear any replies

Greetings everyone

Al

[bonzo]

Hi Al, I think I once read on the forum about rubbing olive oil into new strings.
Or just play 'cool' music! Lol. 😎😊👍🎸

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi Bonzo
re cool music ...ill try maybe one day ill get there .. lol


al

[Michael Messer]

Hi Al,

I don't want to turn this into a medical advice thread, but sweaty hands, if not caused by an actual illness such as diabetes or heart problems, or by stress, it is probably a dietary thing. Fatty foods, meat, dairy, chocolate, alcohol, are all foods that can cause hands to sweat. Do some Google searches and you'll probably find some good information.

A great way to stop it, short term, if you're nervous or stressed before a gig, is to use rubbing alcohol (isopropanol 99%), or a non perfumed sanitiser. Perfumed ones sometimes leave your hands sticky.

I have answered this because I have experienced it and cured it.

Shine On
Michael

[thebluesbear( al)]

Michael
In my case i am diabetic, but ill try a sanitiser , its a recent thing its not before a gig its anytime i pick up a guitar anyway thanks for your ideas


al

[richclough]

I also kill strings - have done since I started playing at 16. I find that the following have helped:

1) using coated strings most of the time (Elixir Phos Bronze nanoweb in my case)
2) washing hands before playing
3) the Chops hand treatment/neutraliser
4) wiping down the strings after use with a chamois leather (Michael's recommendation)

I also tend to buy strings in bulk, sometimes from the US.

Good luck!
Cheers,
Rich

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi rich
many thanks ill try all of those things in due course this is a new thing and i have been playing for many years


al

[slide496]

I also have a problem with muggy New York weather accross the pond that I use MM's tip about the chamois quite frequently.

I don't know whether it's helpful but while the cause and investigating available treatments/adjustments -f there are any available- having control over the condition of the strings under the circumstances is good.

H

[ricks]

Al, I've always had good results with using Fastfret to refresh strings - I know that not everyone likes the somewhat slick feel it gives them, but I'm fine with it, & it means a set of strings will last me months rather than weeks; cheap enough to be worth a try?

best,

Rick

[thebluesbear( al)]

Rick,Harriet
thank you for both your replies . ill work through these ideas and see what works , i have been playing guitar for 40 plus years and this only started 3 months ago due to BP medication

Im fine its just that i like to ask other folks experiences when working out a course of action , i guessed that other folks would have gone through so thanks for your input

al

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi everyone
I took a few of all your suggestions and my issue seems to be solved i am greatful to all of you for your input .. things have returned to normal ..

many thanks to you all

al