Rusted strings after one day of use...

Hendrix89

I really don't understand this at all!! Bought a set of 10 guage D'addario Nickel Wound strings (my usual) on Thursday afternoon and had them on my electric that evening. Played it for about an hour max and put it away until the following day (Friday) when I had band practice. No more than two hours into the practice I happened to notice that the G and B strings were discolored in some places. Looked closer and suspected it was either rust or the exposed nickel. I suppose the nickel would be more likely as the areas of wear are smooth and not what you would expect rust to feel like. Either way, this has never happened before (let alone in such a short time) and I have been using this string brand for at least a couple of years..

Maybe it was just simply a bad batch? Or the quality has dropped? The strings may have been like this in the pack and I just never noticed, although it's unlikely..

Any idea on what could be the cause of this? I obviously have to go and buy another set now and I certainly don't want my money wasted again.

Thanks.

-=al=-

there shudnt be rust after a day maybe just a bad one or the packet wasnt sealed or something no idea

but i find d addarios rust and feel bad after a few days of use, so i switched to elixer, its so much better and easier

Hendrix89

Elixers are quite a bit more expensive though, and I do like the tone of D'Addarios. I'd prefer to stick with them but if this is something that's going to continue happening with this particular brand then I'll have no choice but to switch. If people are experiencing similar wear over a such a short period with these strings, as I have, I'd appreciate you let me know.

Surely it's not possible that my sweat did this though? Is it??

-=al=-

probably contributed to it alright, just wipe ur strings down after you play really.... but i personally find d'addarious getting a few days of newness before they get cruddy and crappy which is why i swapped... i change strings now on a guitar maybe once every 2-3 months maybe


there 15€ a pack for elixers and worth it considering they feel new forever and cheaper in the long run

not trying to push em or anything but i had the same thing with d'addarious not as quick as a day but but unless i had a roadie changing d'addario strings on my guitar every day ill stick with the elixers

Hendrix89

Yeah but the thing is I always do wipe my strings down after every period of use (no matter how long). In fact I have always had a habit of really giving my strings an intense cleaning (wiping them underneath and a number of times over), even after a 30 sec. play, and it was no different with these, so I definitely wasn't neglecting them. I just can't understand why they would do this, when I haven't had one problem like this in the many years I've been using the brand. Unless the chemicals in my sweat just suddenly changed.. As you said though, there is the possibility that this particular pack was just not up to scratch. I dunno...

As for the elixers, they're not badly priced on strings.ie so they are an option. And I never released that lasted as long as you say.

Just as another option though.. What do you think about Dean Markley strings? I'm looking at the Pure Nickel (Hendrix edition) strings by DM. 6 euro for a pack of those. You (or anyone) heard anything good about them?

Strings.ie

Hendrix89, did you get that D'addario set from us?

Hendrix89

Strings.ie wrote: »

Hendrix89, did you get that D'addario set from us?

Hi. Didn't know you guys posted here. No I didn't get the pack from you. Got it from a local shop.

Strings.ie

Hendrix89 wrote: »

Hi. Didn't know you guys posted here. No I didn't get the pack from you. Got it from a local shop.

It sounds like there was an issue with that particular set, especially as you have not experienced this before. To be fair, D'addario do have some of the highest standards in String manufacturing so it should just be a one off. Either way, I would return the strings as they are clearly defective. I'm sure the retailer will be very happy to replace them.

Stratocaster

I've been having the same problem lately, I've given up on D'addario completely. I think there's definitely something up with them, could be a bad batch. After 1 gig or even a couple of hours practice I have completely wore the silver finish of the top 3, they would look like acoustic strings and no amount of cleaning etc can bring them back to a bright tone. This has happened about 5 times and I'm not buying them anymore.

Elixirs are good you can squeeze a bit more life out of them but they don't stock 11's and 12's where I buy them and I find there just too pricey.

I've always wore out strings fairly quick due to a sweaty hand but I don't mind as I feel the sweat improves playability, you can slide up and down the frets with ease and you don't get as much fret noise as you would with dry hands. I recently started using KERLY KUES and so far there holding up well.

What I do to increase string life after playing is clean down the strings then smear a little 3 in 1 oil over my finger tip and thumb then I glide both over the entire string. Place a light cloth under the strings to protect the fret board. I find the strings hold up well with no effect on tone.
If your going to try this be really careful not to get any excess oil any where near the guitar or fret board, just take your time.

Hendrix89

Stratocaster thanks for sharing your issues. It's clear something is up alright..

Always the possibility it's a bad batch, but I don't want to have to spend the cost of another set of strings just to find out. And thanks for the tips on prolonging string life.

Strings.ie, I might just try that but I'm doubtful they'll be willing to replace them.

Strings.ie

Stratocaster wrote: »

I've been having the same problem lately, I've given up on D'addario completely. I think there's definitely something up with them, could be a bad batch. After 1 gig or even a couple of hours practice I have completely wore the silver finish of the top 3, they would look like acoustic strings and no amount of cleaning etc can bring them back to a bright tone. This has happened about 5 times and I'm not buying them anymore.

Elixirs are good you can squeeze a bit more life out of them but they don't stock 11's and 12's where I buy them and I find there just too pricey.

I've always wore out strings fairly quick due to a sweaty hand but I don't mind as I feel the sweat improves playability, you can slide up and down the frets with ease and you don't get as much fret noise as you would with dry hands. I recently started using KERLY KUES and so far there holding up well.

What I do to increase string life after playing is clean down the strings then smear a little 3 in 1 oil over my finger tip and thumb then I glide both over the entire string. Place a light cloth under the strings to protect the fret board. I find the strings hold up well with no effect on tone.
If your going to try this be really careful not to get any excess oil any where near the guitar or fret board, just take your time.

As a D'addario dealer I know D'addario would want to be informed in case there is a dodgy batch. I know it is a hassle but its worth following up with D'addario on such matters.

Elixir are available in 11's and 12's nanoweb for Electric.

Regarding string life in general. I myself used to change sets every other gig when I was busy playing and that was using some of the best strings I've ever come across. Sweat is an issue and although wiping the strings after helps, some people's sweat is more corrosive than others.
The Elixir coated strings and all other coated strings help with this but the coating, especially on acoustic strings can affect the tone. It's swings and roundabouts I guess but since we have been in business I'm amazed how personal string choice is. What one person loves, another hates with a passion.

strangelyBrown

I've been using d'Addarios for many years and have had no problems with recent string changes. It could be a combination of the weather, overproduction of acidic oils from your fingers and a bad batch of strings. If you wash your hands before picking up the instrument, wipe it down after playing and store it properly you'll be able to determine whether the strings themselves are to blame.

Stratocaster

Hendrix89 wrote: »

Yeah but the thing is I always do wipe my strings down after every period of use (no matter how long). In fact I have always had a habit of really giving my strings an intense cleaning (wiping them underneath and a number of times over), even after a 30 sec. play, and it was no different with these, so I definitely wasn't neglecting them. I just can't understand why they would do this, when I haven't had one problem like this in the many years I've been using the brand. Unless the chemicals in my sweat just suddenly changed.. As you said though, there is the possibility that this particular pack was just not up to scratch. I dunno...

As for the elixers, they're not badly priced on strings.ie so they are an option. And I never released that lasted as long as you say.

Just as another option though.. What do you think about Dean Markley strings? I'm looking at the Pure Nickel (Hendrix edition) strings by DM. 6 euro for a pack of those. You (or anyone) heard anything good about them?

I just had a look at the info on the Hendrix edition strings, its seems like a marketing gimmick to me. I wouldn't be surprised to hear there standard DM strings in a Hendrix pack. Its a great idea and would be an easy sell to those interested in Hendrix, which is pretty much every guitar player in the world! Best thing to do is pick up a packet and try them out, there is no other way to find out what there like.

Strings.ie

Hendrix89 wrote: »

Strings.ie, I might just try that but I'm doubtful they'll be willing to replace them.

Well we would and do look after every one of our customers.
In fact, if you don't have any luck with your retailer, send the strings back to us and I'll send you a replacement. I'd like to take a look at these strings anyway and see what the story is with them.

Hendrix89

Strings.ie wrote: »

Well we would and do look after every one of our customers.
In fact, if you don't have any luck with your retailer, send the strings back to us and I'll send you a replacement. I'd like to take a look at these strings anyway and see what the story is with them.

Wow thanks for offering to do that! If it doesn't go well with my retailer I may take you up on that. Thanks.

-=al=-

never tried DM strings id imagine the hendrix-ness of them is just to help em sell

and check out the corrosion on my rg bridge, my sweats got 100% acid in it or something




madness ...i do love the feel of brand new d'addario strings but its not worth it for playing it onec or twice and after a few days they're just not fresh

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

try Elixers, I used to use ernie ball, but they would rust up in a few days, no matter how much i wiped them down! Elixers are great! no rust at all!

Hendrix89

Al that bridge looks like it has 20 years on it! Pretty intense rusting there.

I will avoid the Hendrix strings then. You're right it's very likely a marketing trick. Can't seem to find much reviews for them online either, apart from one recommendation.

Strings.ie, just to let you know my local shop agreed to replace the strings. I appreciate your gracious offer though. Have a fresh set on now (D'Addarios). They look fine so I'll see what happens with them over the next few days. If they start wearing like the previous set then I'll be switching brands for sure (planning to try out some elixer strings anyway so I'll be ordering them off your site soon).

Stratocaster

Hendrix89 wrote: »

Al that bridge looks like it has 20 years on it! Pretty intense rusting there.

I will avoid the Hendrix strings then. You're right it's very likely a marketing trick. Can't seem to find much reviews for them online either, apart from one recommendation.

Strings.ie, just to let you know my local shop agreed to replace the strings. I appreciate your gracious offer though. Have a fresh set on now (D'Addarios). They look fine so I'll see what happens with them over the next few days. If they start wearing like the previous set then I'll be switching brands for sure (planning to try out some elixer strings anyway so I'll be ordering them off your site soon).

Good call on the Hendrix strings and best of luck with the new set of strings. Let me know how you got on as I've had a similar prob with a few sets of the same. That bridge in the picture looks more like a bad quality chrome job.. seen it happen on my drum kits, the chrome would lift off the metal and leave small bubbles just like you see in the picture, after a while it starts to flake off, then the rusting kicks in.

Hendrix89

Stratocaster, will do and thanks again for the tips.

Dord

-=al=- wrote: »

never tried DM strings id imagine the hendrix-ness of them is just to help em sell

and check out the corrosion on my rg bridge, my sweats got 100% acid in it or something




madness ...i do love the feel of brand new d'addario strings but its not worth it for playing it onec or twice and after a few days they're just not fresh

Looks to be a little bit of pitting in the plating... and a lot of dirt on it. If you don't keep your guitar hardware clean (especially the bridge I think) then this will happen on any guitar.

-=al=-

yeah i concur maybe it was shabby craftmanship or lazy cleaning no way sweat shud do that even without regular cleaning maybe it was both, but no way it shud be that bad its an 04 guitar and that happened after a year or 2 not that much was put into it, i dont know really its a weird one the saddle screws on one of my strats is rusted in a similar way but not the saddles, maybe they hate lefties?

but it wasnt like it was distrought, that guitar was looked after very well =/ its my most expensive guitar to date too but i do take a good photo


but still elixer strings are the win!