Sweaty Hands (Help?)

joepele · #1 April 2nd, 2007

I have thought of learning to to play the guitar for quite some time now and the main reason that is stopping me is... Sweaty Hands.

How long will the string last for cases like me?

*On some bad occasions, the sweat will actually drip off my hands.

I am also worried of getting a good guitar as wood don't really react well with water.

Any advise?

Fretsource · #2 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by joepele

I am also worried of getting a good guitar as wood don't really react well with water.

Any advise?

I heard that sweat from your hand is actually good for your guitar as it keeps the neck moist, which resists bending due to constant string tension - and that's why if you're going to leave your guitar unplayed for a long time you should detune it.

Hopefully someone will come and tell us if thats true.

OldG · #3 April 2nd, 2007

Just relax... I'm fairly sure tension is causing the sweaty hands -and don't forget to wipe the strings/ fingerboard when you finish playing.

solidwalnut · #4 April 2nd, 2007

joepele--

Please don't let a small thing like that keep you from the pleasure of learning. Like OldG says, relax and keep a rag with you. You may have to change strings more often, but that's a small thing.

Steve

Nutty · #5 April 2nd, 2007

My husband suffers(ed) from the same problem. He doesn't play guitar, but had a serious sweating problem (running from the hands too). He even tried to dumped me because he sweat so bad. Well, I said that didn't work for me. Bam...he stopped sweating. We have now been married 15 years. So, stress certainly has a lot to do it. So, don't worry about buying a good guitar and not being able to play it. I'm sure when you are on your own, you will have no issues. Maybe playing in front of people may take time, but do it in front of people you are comfortable with. Fight the fear! We are hear for you. If you want you can post stuff here and no one knows who you are...bonus!

Go for it! We are with you.

Nutty

Ben_Sir_Amos · #6 April 2nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by joepele

How long will the string last for cases like me?

I hear Bruce Springsteen has holes drilled through his guitar behind the bridge to let the sweat run out otherwise it messes with his electrics.

I'm not sure how long his strings last - but most beginners don't change them often enough anyway, and they wonder why they don't sound so good. I change my strings before every public performance. I do have a lot of guitars and some don't get used in public very often so they stay on until they give me tuning problems.

And I claim the title of "The world's sweatiest guitarist" but that won't stop me playing. Don't let it stop you either.

Stratrat · #7 April 2nd, 2007

Joepele - like the others have said, don't let this stop you from playing if you really want to play. Guitar finishes are remarkably hardy, and a little sweat (or even a lot of sweat!) aren't going to harm them! Look at the pros who perform in concert - most of them are dripping sweat through most of their performances. Wipe your guitar down each time you're through playing (even a few times during if you have to) and don't let it diminish your enjoyment.

joepele · #8 April 3rd, 2007

Thanx all for the words of encouragements.

I think I am gonna go for it and start playing.

And hopefully, being able to play as well as everyone here.

Is this Guitar any good?
TGM D100
h t t p://w w w.believermusic.com/EN/Module_details_Package.aspx?CourseID=2

Or is there any to recommend?

allthumbs · #9 April 4th, 2007

Your link is not working! What is the name of the guitar your looking at?

joepele · #10 April 5th, 2007

As a newbie, I am not allowed to post links...

The link is separated by spaces.
Basically it's a...

w w w.believermusic.com/EN/Module_details_Package.aspx?CourseID=2
TGM D100

or

Epiphone Page Ranking-4E Acoustic Electric Player Pack
w w w.sweelee.sg/productlist.asp?CatSID=71&Name=Value%20Packages%20 (4)

Ben_Sir_Amos · #11 April 5th, 2007

I'm glad you are going to go for it, joepele.

You might get a better answer to your question about which one to get in the "buying a guitar" thread here: http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...splay.php?f=49

I've never heard of believer guitars so I can't comment on those and I can't get the epiphone link to work.

I would say that in the UK I generally advise people to buy a well-known brand like epiphone because when they want to upgrade, a name brand is easier to sell. The secondhand market might not work in that way in your area.

Have a look at the sticky threads in that "buying a guitar" section. There's some good advice there.

joepele · #12 April 6th, 2007

Hi Ben,

Thanx for the advise.

The links have their www to have a space in them to become w w w, cos I joined the forum not too long ago, so I am not allowed to paste links.

Believer's Music is a school. Along with the lessons, they also include a guitar package.

As for the second link, the package for Epiphone Page Ranking-4E Acoustic Electric Player Pack includes a small amp. for about 220 USD.

nurseloon · #13 April 16th, 2007

If you truly have a problem with sweaty hands, you can check with your doctor about a prescription product to use on your hands to stop the sweating. I think it might be called DrySol (USA).

Krister Karlsson · #14 April 17th, 2007

Sweat will tear down your strings quite quick. When I´m at home playing the guitar (not so much sweat) the strings endure for quite some time. After gigs (a lot of sweat) the strings are completely dead. From what I have heard this, how the sweat affects your strings, differs from person to person as welll.

krissovo · #15 April 18th, 2007

I not only sweat, but I sweat some highly concentrated new form of acid that will dissolve strings in about 3 weeks with mid to heavy playing.

Dont worry about it! Just find a bulk source of strings and play away, at least you will be an expert in changing strings