Thomastik Infield strings

[Obsessive Monkey]

Hello fellow mandolin pickers!

I was reading about TI strings on this forum and I read where the TI rep said that the TI strings will last for a long time "if you take care of them".

Help! I have really sweaty hands and I go through strings fast. Before I sink my money into a set of TI's I want to know how to take care of them.

Do I just wipe them down before/after playing?

Do I use fast-fret or WD40 on them?

Any tips appreciated!

[Obsessive Monkey]

Gee whiz. Was it in my delivery? I'm wearing deodorant! I swear!

[John Flynn]

I don't know about T-Is in particular, but the best advice I have heard about preserving any strings is make sure your hands are clean before playing and wipe down the strings with a clean dry cloth after playing. Using liquids on the fretboard is discouraged by most instrument manufacturers. You have to consider the effect on the fretboard wood. I have tried many of the string cleaner products and have never found them to be that effective. I would never use WD-40. Just MHO.

[Ted Eschliman]

What Johnny said.
Basic idea, avoid abuse... I've heard playing "Rocky Top" on TI's can be detrimental.

[phynie]

I have the same problem. I can wear through strings QUICK! I am also an avid TI user. Per the TI rep, after playing you can wipe the strings down with a rubbing alcohol on a rag. I do it all the time. As long as the rag isn't soaked, the alcohol does not even get on the fretboard. And it seems to work. The strings last about 1.5-2 months for me and keep their tone the whole time. By that time I usually break one of em'. I play way to hard. But that is another problem altogether.

Basically, I wipe them down before and after every time I play with alcohol and they are the BEST sounding strings I have ever played. untile I destroy them! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I would definitley suggest trying them at least once. Chances are you will be hooked.

[Obsessive Monkey]

phynie,

So do you go through the TIs in 1.5 to 2 mos because of a break only? In other words, if you didn't break a string, would you keep them on longer or would they begin breaking down after that long any way?

Thanks!

[THP]

Hey there
I have Stark on all my mandos and i find just a good wipe down after a perforamnce is all they need.
Never had any breakage issues and they normally last me 2 months of heavy usage where as other strings that i used before would only give me a week or two.
Hope this helps
Anthony
www.hickoryproject.com

[grant_eversoll]

I can hear the "YOU DO WHAT" Letters already but I have been known to use wd-40 on My acc. guitar it dose bring dead strings back to life...for a while. What is the difference between WD-40 and Fast Fret or Finger ease?

Like I said, it's a quick fix only used in a pinch till I can get a replacement set but it works

[phynie]

Obsessive Monkey, #If I did not break them, I beleive they would last for at least 5-6 months. #I have a really heavy touch and break tons of strings, always the A string and always at the bridge. #But when the TI's break they are still in great condition, even after 2 months. #Mind you, I do wipe them down EVERY time I play, but I rust out a set of d'addario's in about a week. #I have never played a string that holds up better, or sounds better for that matter, than the TI's. #Period.

[Obsessive Monkey]

phynie - thanks for the feedback. That sounds like me because I can wear through a standard set of strings in a couple of weeks easy. They look like they've been on for six months.

I'm leaning towards getting some TI's.

I wonder if the rubbing alcohol trick would work with any strings or just with the TIs?

Thanks all!

[phynie]

Well I can also tell you about that. I have tried the rubbing alcohol on other brands and it kinda works. I definitley takes SOME of the grime off but it does not really get in the grooves of the string. I think because the TI are flatwound and the grime has nowhere to go, they clean up MUCH nicer. I don't know. All I know is that they last WAY longer than roundwound or even flat tops.

[davestem]

phynie,

If you always break the A string at the bridge, there may be a problem with your bridge. It'd probably be worthwile to check for burrs and get the bridge slot refiled.

[phynie]

Thanks for the suggestion. I hve been meaning to take it in but I am being lazy about it. Gotta stop being lazy http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Stillpicking]

I have been using TIs now for about 18 months and have gone through 4 sets; works out to be about 4 months for each set roughly.
I have been using Fast Fret and it cleans them up nicely, I like the idea that the Fast Fret container fits in my case and I don't have to mess around with other items to clean up the strings. I wipe on a little fast fret before I start playing and I don't wipe it off with the rag. When I am done playing I apply it again and wipe the strings down
TIs last a long TIME and I like the even tone they produce, I started out with the mediums but went to the heavies , as I needed more sound projection.