Slightly tarnished high-E string

[garrettendi]

My telecaster hasn’t been played in over 6 months (I have a new guitar now) and the high e string has a very small amount of what looks like rust/tarnish.

I've ordered new strings which should arrive promptly, but is it ok to play the guitar while I wait?

[Wonks]

Yes. It will just sound a bit dull and the string won't feel nice to play, and probably won't intonate well. There will be slightly more fret wear from the rusty string, but you won't be playing it long enough for it to make any impact.

[garrettendi]

Cheers Wonks

[shufflebeat]

Slip some kitchen roll under the string, spray it with furniture polish then wrap it round and slide it along the string. You're changing them anyway so don't fret too much about it [comedy trumpet sound].

[garrettendi]

You're changing them anyway so don't fret too much about it [comedy trumpet sound].

Wah wah wahhhh

[zenguitar]

If you have one of those kitchen cleaning sponges with the green non-metallic scrubber layer on the top, use the green scrubber to give the string a good wipe. Use it dry, no water/soap.

That should remove the bulk of the tarnish without doing any damage.

Andy

[garrettendi]

If you have one of those kitchen cleaning sponges with the green non-metallic scrubber layer on the top, use the green scrubber to give the string a good wipe. Use it dry, no water/soap.

That should remove the bulk of the tarnish without doing any damage.

Andy

Good shout! I'll see how it plays without doing that and if I encounter problems I'll try it. My strings have already been dispatched so with a little luck I might be spending my Bank Holiday Friday restringing anyways

[Kwackman]

Is the High E the thinnest string (highest pitch) or the thickest (highest vertically)?
Always confuses me that!

Anyhow, if it's the thinnest, perhaps it's not a bad idea to have a couple as spares as it tends to be the one that'll break first if you are really heavy with the strumming, or get damaged (kinked) if, like me, you are a little ham fisted when putting new strings on.

[garrettendi]

Good idea! Maybe after lockdown I'll see if any local shops sell single strings. Only issue is if they age as they might not be in foil.

EDIT: It is the thinnest btw!

[Drew Stephenson]

D'addario do 5 packs of high Es of various thickness. One of our band songs involves me banging on the bridge rather than strumming and that does seem to shorten the life of my top Es on that guitar.

[zenguitar]

All Rotosound sets come with a spare top E.

Andy

[garrettendi]

I use Regular Slinkies

[Kwackman]

I use Regular Slinkies

Ernie Ball sell single "10" strings, available in several places including on-line

[Sam Spoons]

Is the High E the thinnest string (highest pitch) or the thickest (highest vertically)?
Always confuses me that!

You're not the only one, but for the record it's pitch, the high E is also known as the first string and it's the highest pitched/thinnest string.

[garrettendi]

I use Regular Slinkies

Ernie Ball sell single "10" strings, available in several places including on-line

Aha! I did not know that!

[shufflebeat]

You're changing them anyway so don't fret too much about it [comedy trumpet sound].

Wah wah wahhhh

Tune in next week, thank you and goodnight!

[Music Wolf]

I use Regular Slinkies

Ernie Ball sell single "10" strings, available in several places including on-line

Aha! I did not know that!

And you'll be happy to learn that, unlike toilet rolls and hand sanitiser, guitar strings are not being rationed during lockdown meaning that you can buy two sets so that, next time your guitar needs restringing, you won't have an excuse not to

Oh, and having a new guitar (or a new baby) is no excuse for not playing your Telecaster for six months. Since it's a first offence we'll allow you to go on a 'Telecaster Awarness Course' rather than face a fine and points on your guitarist's licence. Don't let it happen again.

[garrettendi]

My wife isn't an electric player but she pretty much said the same thing last night. I was going to get my new guitar setup for Drop-C so she suggested that to encourage me to play the Telecaster more, have that one be my Drop-C axe, then I have reasons to play both.

I married me a keeper!

[MOF]

the high E is also known as the first string and it's the highest pitched/thinnest string.

That seems wrong to me (though I know you’re correct), the string closest to you, the first one you’ll strike when playing a chord is number six, should be number one in my book.

[Music Wolf]

the high E is also known as the first string and it's the highest pitched/thinnest string.

That seems wrong to me (though I know you’re correct), the string closest to you, the first one you’ll strike when playing a chord is number six, should be number one in my book.

It always bemuses me. 'Top' or 'High' E would, to me, suggest highest pitch but to others it would mean furthest from the floor (as in 'top shelf'). I have a similar confusion regarding the five blade switch on a Strat. Is position #1 the bridge or the neck pickup? I think that I'm aligned with Fender (1 = bridge) but I've heard other people talk about it the other way around.

[Sam Spoons]

the high E is also known as the first string and it's the highest pitched/thinnest string.

That seems wrong to me (though I know you’re correct), the string closest to you, the first one you’ll strike when playing a chord is number six, should be number one in my book.

It always bemuses me. 'Top' or 'High' E would, to me, suggest highest pitch but to others it would mean furthest from the floor (as in 'top shelf'). I have a similar confusion regarding the five blade switch on a Strat. Is position #1 the bridge or the neck pickup? I think that I'm aligned with Fender (1 = bridge) but I've heard other people talk about it the other way around.

You know, I haven't given it a thought for years (probably 40+) 'cos it just 'is' the highest pitched/thinnest string is the top E/1st string...... Just how it is......

Just thinking about it maybe from a fiddle players perspective it's 1st- 4th left to right when they are holding/playing the instrument?

[shufflebeat]

Harp.

[Sam Spoons]

Angel...... Oops, sorry, wrong thread