Blank spots on the strings

[Greatcloud]

After you play awhile in one area your string sounds dead why is this ? What can be done to prevent it ?

 

[Frambo]

Hey there Greatcloud

The string windings get flattened (the blank spot), in the areas where you play most so there is no way of preventing it.

You can prolong the life of your strings by wiping them down with a cloth after each play and there are some string cleaning products that help. Finger grime accumulates between windings otherwise (ick).

As a rule of thumb (imho) you should change your set approx every 20 hours of playing or sooner (some people I know corrode a set of strings after a couple of hours playing).
If they get too old you'll lose the tone and resilience and they wont sound in tune properly either.

Have a look at the D'Addario website or the Ernie Ball site for more info on strings.

 

[Schneiderman]

Yeah like he said. If you wash your hands before you play and wipe the strings when you're done they will last longer. Also different types and brands of strings react differently to people's fingers. Ernie Balls wear out in no time for me. I don't know if you're playing acoustic or electric but for electric I like DR pure nickel. A little more expensive than other strings but they last longer for me.

 

[Alejandro]

There's also dead spots. A fret on a specific string that will not have as much sustain as any other spot on the fretboard. Sometimes is caused by a curved neck, or a design problem.

 

[marduke]

Yeah like he said. If you wash your hands before you play and wipe the strings when you're done they will last longer. Also different types and brands of strings react differently to people's fingers. Ernie Balls wear out in no time for me. I don't know if you're playing acoustic or electric but for electric I like DR pure nickel. A little more expensive than other strings but they last longer for me.

funny how different strings last for different people.. Ernie Balls will last me ages. i have my current set on for well over a month and they are still going strong. will be changine them tomorrow though.

 

[integra evan]

^Yeah, everyone plays differently, in different conditions, with different guitars, so ya gotta find the set that works the best for you.

On my Les Paul Studio, best strings for me on that are the Gibson BriteWires.
On my Alvarez acoustic/electric, I'm still testing new ones out. So far I have liked the tone of Martin SP's but they don't seem to last too long.

 

[Bombila]

Wiping down strings after playing does help. When my strings are getting old, I wipe them thoroughly with a vinegar soaked cloth, and that seem to bring back clarity for a few more hours of play.

 

[Greatcloud]

So your saying its dirt that makes it sound dead when I play a riff over and over ? How come when I play the same riff later its ok ? I don't get it.

 

[integra evan]

In that case, your ears are probably getting tired of hearing that same riff over and over again. Once you give your ears a break and after they've had time to rest, something may sound totally different.

 

[rdclmn72]

Cryogenic strings last without too many problems with tone.
I use GHS boomers which stay crisp for a while.

 

[firzenr]

Another cause might be your typical fret buzz. Just adjust the truss rod and it should be fine.

Yes, I know this an old thread, but it's back on the second page. Blame nobody for inactivity except ourselves.

 

[56Bluesman]

In that case, your ears are probably getting tired of hearing that same riff over and over again. Once you give your ears a break and after they've had time to rest, something may sound totally different.

#1! Sounds like ear fatigue to me. It happens to me at gigs where the first few songs in a set sound really, really nice, and as things continue, the band sounds duller, even a bit too loud, or the drummer's cymbals start to irritate the ear with a nasty treble edge, etc. It's the effect of ear fatigue, caused by listening to music at a steady and high enough volume. It's why the better music producers won't start mixing an album until they can come in with fresh and rested ears, and are smart enough to take breaks as needed in the process.

 

[trt]

Try different brands of strings and see which one lasts longer for you.

 

[Greatcloud]

I think its my strings, I need to replace them and buy some nickle ones. Ear fatigue sounds interesting too. I play loud sometimes along with music so maybe that might be it too. I don't know anything else it might be, it could be I need a more quality guitar.

":^)

 

[Greatcloud]

Hahahaha I know why it was, its finger fatique. I wasn't pressing down hard enough on the strings so they sounded dead. lol.

":^)

 

[shawn222]

I use GHS boomers which stay crisp for a while.

Love them boomers!