Guitarists: Three questions!?

p0ss3s3d

p0ss3s3d

p0ss3s3d

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1) What do you all use to clean strings/fretboard?

2) Do you use ear plugs/in-ear monitoring/other forms of ear protection when playing on stage at gigs?

3) Whilst I'm asking questions, what strings do you all use?

Intrigued to find out,
p0ss3s3d



After reading that back the first question seems a little odd so I'll explain...

After a few years of using Isopropanol to clean it I finally gave in to that hurrendous smell so for the past six or so months I've been using the Jim Dunlop Lemon Oil with some degree of success but by the end of a gig the fretboard feels very dry and lifeless (like it's never been treated). I might go into town monday and get some Isopropanol again, but I the smellputs me off. Does anyone use anything else before I go and spend a tenner on Monday? It's for a line-up of entirely rosewood finger boards BTW.​
 
I don't clean any of my guitars, but your first question has reminded me that I should. I've got lots of gunk building up on the fret boards of mine. :(

In ear monitoring is damn good if possible, but not essential. It's only really worth it if everybody in your band uses it, otherwise I fail to see the point. A decent in ear monitoring setup is a lot of money, but it's certainly money well spent in my opinion. Nothing can beat having a near silent stage. But you absolutely should wear earplugs as your bear minimum. Even the disposable foam ones are better than nothing, but a set of -20dB custom earplugs would be best. ;)

I use Ernie Ball regular Slinky's on my strat and my Variax, D'addario EJ16s on my Maton EBG808TE, I use EJ17s on my Taylor and either Thomastik-Infeld or D'addario XL nickel wound strings (always gauge 14) on my Ibanez GB100.

I would always recommend non-coated strings (EJ16s) over coated strings (EXPs, Elixirs, Cleartones, etc), I've found that non-coated last just as long, sound better and are a lot easier to play. Tommy Emmanuel thinks much the same. ;) :p
 
I clean my strings after every gig. I get quite sweaty hands while playing so it's importiant that i give them a good wipe down afterwards. I use Ernie Ball wipes. I use lemon oil to clean the fretboard.

On stage i use earplugs. We play small pubs week in week out, so the noise on stage can get quite loud. I use a set of Alpine Music Safe plugs. They have changable filters, so you can vary the amount of sound blockage.

I use Rotosound Nexus strings on my Les paul, or Roto Yellows. I used to use only Roto Reds, but went down to yellows due to less down tuning, and more widdly bits.
On my 2 7-string Ibanez's i use a D'Addario 7 string sets, at 10 gauge.
 
p0ss3s3d said:
1) What do you all use to clean strings/fretboard?

2) Do you use ear plugs/in-ear monitoring/other forms of ear protection when playing on stage at gigs?

3) Whilst I'm asking questions, what strings do you all use?

Intrigued to find out,
p0ss3s3d

After reading that back the first question seems a little odd so I'll explain...

After a few years of using Isopropanol to clean it I finally gave in to that hurrendous smell so for the past six or so months I've been using the Jim Dunlop Lemon Oil with some degree of success but by the end of a gig the fretboard feels very dry and lifeless (like it's never been treated). I might go into town monday and get some Isopropanol again, but I the smellputs me off. Does anyone use anything else before I go and spend a tenner on Monday? It's for a line-up of entirely rosewood finger boards BTW.​
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1) At the end of the day/putting guitar away I run my duster up and down the strings, and under each one, it takes maybe 15 seconds.

I only use lemon oil on ebony/rosewood fingerboards, I use Stringfellow lemon oil. I don't use anything to 'clean' the fretboards other than a duster and a bit of elbow grease, they never get dirty enough to need anything harder, I also polish the frets a bit too.

2) Ear plugs.

3) Ernie Ball 10s on my electric, 11s on my 7 string with a 58 on the bottom, 12s on my acoustic.

Some guitars just have generally dry rosewood boards, I've played a few (lower end guitars) where the fretboard has felt horrendous.
 
Andelusion said:
Some guitars just have generally dry rosewood boards, I've played a few (lower end guitars) where the fretboard has felt horrendous.
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Gibson LP's, so I don't think they are the problem. I think it's just I'm used to the Isopropanol which keeps the strings/fretboard very happy. :confused:

I think I'll go back to Isopropanol and the fast fret. ;)

Jonesiani said:
I use a set of Alpine Music Safe plugs.
Click to expand...

How are they for sound quality, do they retain the highs and overall clarity?
 
As far as sound quality goes, i can't really tell you, as they are the only set i've ever used.

I like them as they kill the painfull highs on the drumkit, let me hear everything with reduced volume, and allow me to hear myself when doing backing vocals.

They are very discreet too, and come with a handy peice of plastic which makes them a lot easier to put into your ears.:)
 
1) Fast Fret

2) In ear monitoring which is absolutely 100% essential for me because I'm the lead vocalist and I can also have my guitar coming through a bit.

3) Used Dean Markley 10 to 46 for 40 years now.
 
1) Clean cloth up and down each string - under and over.
2) Ear plugs
3) Used to use D'Addario's, now I use "New Strings". Cheaper, lasts longer and has the same tone as D'Addario's.
Gauges:
6 tuned to E: 10 - 46
6 tuned to drop C: 12 - 54
7 tuned to B: 9 - 59
 
1) Fast fret before and after playing, and linseed oil for rosewood boards every 6 months or so. Rosewood oil is better if you can get it.

2) I would wear ear plugs if I played gigs.

3) ATM, Harley Benton 10s because I got them for 70p a set so bought plenty. Before that, Ernie Ball and occasionally D'addario.
 
I use fast fret to clean my strings too, i don't gig and use 9 gauge ernie ball's or d'addario's

Would love to gig but need a band I reckon, I've played the odd open mic which i loved but I feel that I'm restricted to the acoustic guitar on my own.
 
1) Fast Fret (clean the fretboard when I change strings)
2) No but am about to buy some Shure 110's for stereo IEM
3) D'Addario or Ernie Ball - flatwounds on my Les Paul
 
stude1983 said:
I use fast fret to clean my strings too, i don't gig and use 9 gauge ernie ball's or d'addario's

Would love to gig but need a band I reckon, I've played the odd open mic which i loved but I feel that I'm restricted to the acoustic guitar on my own.
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Erik Mongrain is worth checking out, he does some awesome stuff with an acoustic!
 
1) I use Lemon Oil whenever I change strings to get rid of gunk, and then use Fast Fret in between playing to keep the strings lasting for a bit longer (also I like the slight lubrication it adds).

2) I sometimes wear earplugs for band practices but don't ever at gigs because only the expensive sets let enough of the right frequencies through for actually hearing but I don't think they are really worth 70-80 quid. Cheapo ones muffle everything too much for me ...

3) I sway between D'addario EXL 10 gauge (possibly moving to 11's soon though) and quite often I use DR Strings TiteFIT aswell... they are by far the best strings I have ever used but on occaision they can be a bit inconsistent. Most of the time they are joyous, lovely, biting and bright tone to be had (but not harsh). I tune to Eb Standard.
 
1) Strings - WD40 (the best). Board - Polish.. but i mostly scrape it off with a plectrum..

2) Usually cheap foam ones..

3) Ernie Ball/D'addario 10s
 
Docaroo said:
1) I use Lemon Oil whenever I change strings to get rid of gunk, and then use Fast Fret in between playing to keep the strings lasting for a bit longer (also I like the slight lubrication it adds).
Click to expand...

Lemon oil isn't supposed to clean your fretboard, it's to keep it oiled so it doesn't dry out and crack.
 
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