Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem. I seem to get a lot of rust / corrosion on my bass strings. I have tried various sets, the stock Rickenbacker strings, Elixir Nanowebs with the coating, and Ernie Ball flatwounds. Each time rust begins to appear after a month or so. So, is there something I am doing incorrectly as far as cleaning and/or caring for the strings? I usually wipe down my bass and put it back in the case after each gig/practice. I do have somewhat clammy hands. I'm thinking this might be a major contributor to the problem. To give you an idea of my sweaty hands, I ususally use talcum power on my fretting hand to avoid my hand sticking on the neck while playing. Any suggestions and/or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

Jason, you must have a hand sweat chemisty that is pretty tough on strings.
My suggestion is to try some Dr. Ducks Axe Wax. It will lubricate and clean the strings. It's not a wax it's actually an oil. Since it is an oil it should slow down the rust from forming on your strings.
Use it in very small amounts. A little goes a long way.
I never have a problem with my fretting hand sticking, I have more of a problem with my fingers plucking the string fingerstyle. I usually need some lubricant so my fingertips slide easier over the strings.

some people seem to sweat more or be more salty or more acidic ... my guitar player seems to have rusty strings and rusty bridges on his guitars after playing a few times ...

I may have a solution for you - I always have a fan directed at my fingers as I have found that the fingers on my right hand stick to the strings after a while making it harder to play. The fan makes it so that my fingers stay dry and slide easily over the strings. Every so often I will also wipe my fingers with a baby wipe.

I play very hard but still manage to get at least 6 months out of a set of strings and I think that this is why.

Lemon oil in small amounts both for the strings & the back of the neck has been suggested here before. I find this works pretty well as I used to have a problem with the back of the neck getting sort of sticky.

Stanley Clarke uses rubbing alcohol, though he admits it's probably not great for the guitar.

I can't ever remember strings rusting. I use Boomers.

Based on previous recommendations by Paul Wilczynski and Kevin - I have purchase some Dr. Stringfellow Lem-Oil. I will give it a whirl tonight. I have tried the napatha (lighter fluid) before - and while it does do a great job of cleaning the neck - a clean neck is not the problem. I believe it is the mirror like finish in combination with my body chemistry that is causing the stickiness. I'll also put on a fresh set of strings and carefully monitor how I clean/protect them.

didn't Jaco use fried chicken grease?

Apparently, Jaco used some special concoction, the recipe of which he took to the grave.. i guess he said he wanted something that would make his bass sound like a wet monkey fart.. haHA! ..sorry, couldn't help myself..