[clefless]

I've noticed that I can corrode a steel string in a matter of days. I wash my hands before I play, and wipe the guitar down with a polishing cloth (from a car polishing kit) when I am finished. I can still turn new strings , especially the e string, black from a few hours use in just a couple of days. The corroded spots no longer feel smooth to the touch and the strings become more painful to press. Is there something else I can do to keep the strings feeling new longer?

[allthumbs]

there is a book out about how to alter your bodies alkalinity. It might be a bit more than your willing to do. You could probably find it in a health food store if you asked.
Other than that, your doing what you can. Maybe someone here has a tip or two. Try rubbing your hands with baby powder before you play. I have seen that done by lead players for damping the sound of string slides. Might cut down on the seat a bit too.

[Stratrat]

I don't know anything about them other than what I've read in the guitar magazines, but Ernie Ball just came out with some new kind of string wipes. Might be worth a try to see if they help at all.

[clefless]

I will try the baby powder and see if it helps.

[Andy S]

You mentioned "and wipe the guitar down with a polishing cloth (from a car polishing kit)" Our worship leader has the same situation. Worse yet, his body oil makes a rosewood fretboard look dry & cracked after just a week of playing.

He'll wash his hands just prior to playing and he started using "Fast Fret" on the strings, before AND after playing, making sure to wipe the strings down very carefully after playing. He is now up to two weeks before the strings need changing. He was at 3 days before they turned black, like you mentioned.

On the fretboard, he uses Woodwind oil. (You'll find it in the horn section at a music store) Something I've used for years. Just a SMALL drop on each fret up to about the 8th fret, then a drop every other fret. Rub it in good and wipe it off. His fretboard on his Epi LP looks like new. I use it maybe twice a year. He uses it every three months!! That's how bad his body chemistry is!

Anyhow, try that, it worked for him, may do the trick for you!

Good Luck!

[WernHalen]

Ok here is what I suggest.

Look out for Perspirex, it really works. You get it as a roll on and as a hand&foot lotion. It actually stops you sweating for three days... Great stuff...

Next to that I suggest you get some type of string conditioning oil. I use Dunlop 65. I used to use Fast fret but it leaves little pieces of cotton on the string which IMO makes the strings sound dull.

Also you could look at buying Elixir strings they are coated (with a very thin stainless steel coating, i believe) They are supposed to last three times longer than normal strings. I am still on my first set and I am very happy with the tone I get from them....

my 0.02c worth.