Strings discolouration problem

[Alan Murphy]

I have been using the same very well know brand Nickel Plated Steel Strings for many years and am seeing this problem over all new unopened packs of strings for a number of years. (The overall pack is vacuum sealed)

When I look at the plain strings they have a number of spots / areas which are not shiny.

I dont know if the correct term is tarnished - but Google says :

Nickel can tarnish when it oxidizes due to exposure to air, sweat, or chemicals

The new strings look like they need replaced the day they are put on !!

Any recommendations for brands which dont exhibit this discolouration, maybe I'm just fussy..

[Larry Allen]

I’ve had several like that when I was using a couple of brands in the 80’s-90’s. Changed to D’Addario NYXL’s, they are always spot free. Last for months…

[Greg Vincent]

I believe only the wound strings are nickel, so nickel’s tarnishing properties wouldn’t apply to the plain strings.

[Jerry Overstreet]

I've seen this several times over 40 yrs. of playing. I never pay any attention to it. I just put 'em on and use 'em like all the rest. Sometimes, just for aesthetics, if it's very noticeable, I'll run a cloth with Happich Semi-Chrome polish over it a few times.

[Richard Sinkler]

I've even seen it in the NYXLs I have used. I just ignore it and have never had premature failures because of it.

And yes, only wound strings have nickel or stainless in the windings. Plain strings are plated with something like tin I believe.

[Alan Murphy]

Larry, I will pick up a set of D'Addario and give them a try.

I am learning... I think everyone is correct, the Nickel plating only applies to the wound strings, seems like the packaging should make clear what is being bought.

It probably wouldn't look good if it said plain steel strings or tin coated !

However both my plain and wound strings are spotted, so it's time for a change.

Using the cleaner occasionally sounds like a good idea.

Any other brands which are considered really good ?

[John Larson]

NYXL or bust, if you need a wound 6th string buy that separately.

[Larry Allen]

The ones I used for years were Cobras from Bobbe, lots of black spots on the plain strings and ball ends of wound..I could feel the spots with my bar when they were in the middle, then went to Live Strings. They are great, learned of the NYXLs on the forum, tried them and it’s all I use now. I like the Nickel tones,I have an Ext E9 so I order singles from Just Strings.. on my studio steel they last over a year, I change them out of habit, on my Panda I change them every 2 months as we play 3-4 outside evening Luaus weekly, rain and high humidity here.. I also hear the difference (Tone) between the Telonics and BL PUs with the NYXLs, you might try to see what sounds best on your guitar, strings are a small investment for a multi $1000 guitar…

[Jerry Overstreet]

Just to be clear, I would suggest using Happich only on plain strings, not wound strings as you can't get that out of the windings.

There is a cloth called Blitz Cloth that works for wiping light residue and moisture from both plain and wound strings.