BrunoBass Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I’ve used Ernie Ball Slinky’s for many years and am perfectly happy with them. A couple of weeks ago I put a new set on to one of my basses, and noticed that after playing my fingertips were covered in a black residue. It washed off easily and I thought nothing more of if. I’d never seen this before. Then I put a new set of Slinky’s on another bass today, and the same residue occurred. It’s no problem for me, especially as it seems to disappear as the strings are played in, I just wondered if anyone has had this? I assume it’s just a residue left over from manufacturing, although a chemistry student friend suggested it could be a reaction between the nickel and my skin. I’m unconvinced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford13 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I hate to say it but my first thought here is that they strings may be fake... Lots of fake products on the market, especially through sellers on eBay & Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 I bought these in store at GuitarGuitar in Birmingham, and the set before at PMT in Birmingham, I doubt they’re fake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) I have always cleaned new string before fitting, a cotton pad with surgical spirits gets all the crap off and leaves you with lovely clean shiny new strings 😊 Edited October 9, 2019 by KiOgon 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 It could be just the residue left from the manufacture, I had this once with a set of fender flats , I cleaned them with the little alcohol wipes which evaporate , and they were fine 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 9 minutes ago, Reggaebass said: It could be just the residue left from the manufacture, I had this once with a set of fender flats , I cleaned them with the little alcohol wipes which evaporate , and they were fine 🙂 ^^^ This 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I was discussing this with the luthier who had a customer with the same problem as you and in his case the strings were fakes, not only that but the substance coming off the strings was toxic. Not that I’m saying yours is but it is something to watch out for. The amount of fake strings being produced in China is far greater than most people imagine. If you’ve been using a brand for a while and suddenly they are producing this blackening I’d certainly consider fakes as a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) Nickel strings turn my fingers black, fake or not. G. Edited October 9, 2019 by geoffbyrne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Frank Blank said: I was discussing this with the luthier who had a customer with the same problem as you and in his case the strings were fakes, not only that but the substance coming off the strings was toxic. Not that I’m saying yours is but it is something to watch out for. The amount of fake strings being produced in China is far greater than most people imagine. If you’ve been using a brand for a while and suddenly they are producing this blackening I’d certainly consider fakes as a possibility. Possibly, if I was getting them on eBay or such like, but as I said I bought these and the previous set in store - I very much doubt PMT or GuitarGuitar sell fake stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 27 minutes ago, BrunoBass said: Possibly, if I was getting them on eBay or such like, but as I said I bought these and the previous set in store - I very much doubt PMT or GuitarGuitar sell fake stuff. No, I doubt it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 had this with Chromes. I suspect it's the residue from the polishing process on Flats, could be similar for rounds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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