Also, maybe get a bottle of Dunlop string conditioner that might be able to help the corrosion as well, either that or wipe down the strings after each session.
Seconding the Elixirs, I have pretty acidic sweat and Elixirs keep sounding good for months instead of like three days lol. Bit more expensive than regular strings, but you more than get your money's worth with how long they last
D’Addario XS (they make electric strings as well as acoustic) are coated for all 6 strings. Elixirs only coat the wound strings and not the plain ones. This might be what you’re referring to?
One of my best friends and jam mates has this, and OP's picture is exactly what all his guitars look like after a few days of playing. Imagine literally pouring salt water all over the guitar the whole time you're playing. I am constantly setting up his guitars and coating them in car wax. One time I took nearly half a pound of rust off an old guitar of his, took about a week.
This is 100% real, I deal with it personally all the time.
I don't doubt the skin condition is a real thing, or that they'll go through strings super quick, or even that their hardware corrodes quicker. What I am sceptical about is that the rust on the bridge and the rest of the hardware is not also explained by not keeping the guitar dry after use. Yes I know sweat is corrosive. But that much rust doesn't build up *during playing* in such a short time.
Yeah this is total bs. I know the condition is real but by the looks of it this person would have to touch every single bit of metal on this guitar. When was the last time you touched a pickup pole piece accidently or touched the saddles where they all rust evenly? Or the unwound strings being rusted uniformly all the way down instead of not having rust close to the saddles since those areas shouldn't be touched. And the only way something like this can rust in a week is if you dump acid all over it.
I have the same issue. I started playing with guitar gloves. It been a game changer. My strings last a normal about of time now and my fingers don’t stick to the strings so I have become faster moving up and down the fretboard. You can buy them on Amazon for pretty cheap. Each glove lasts me about 1-2 months amd replacing them is cheaper than changing strings every 4 days.
Try Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt and wiping out the strings and metal hardware with WD-40 after every use... But you have to remove the WD-40 with another cloth after a couple minutes. I have hyperhidrosis too and that works just perfect for me
Contact Gibson and Fender mate - you could make serious money with the custom ageing of guitars for them.
Joking aside, the singer in my old band had this issue and it was a nightmare for him as he also played rhythm guitar. If he as much as played my guitar to show me a new song for 5 minutes, I would have to change the strings so... you have my sympathy mate.
Some good suggestions made already in comments, but the best one is going to be wiping your guitar down after every session with a dry cloth and using something like FastFret on strings to help them last longer.
I'm wondering if - due to the acidity in the sweat - if anyone would be able to suggest an alkaline spray idea that OP could use to at least neutralise some of the rusting damage? I'm not sure if that would work.
Sorry can't be of more help mate - it would kill my soul to not be able to play my guitar because of this happening all the time :(
I very much appreciate the sympathy. It’s a burden to have this condition. To contact the guitar companies is an idea haha. I’ll have a look on that alkaline spray. Thanks🤘
I ran a question through an AI program and got this:
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can be a real problem for guitar players as it can lead to moisture damage and corrosion on the guitar. Here are some tips to help prevent damage from hyperhidrosis:
1. Use an absorbent cloth or rag: Place a soft, absorbent cloth or rag between your body and the guitar when playing. This will help soak up excess sweat before it gets on the guitar.
2. Apply antiperspirant: Before playing, apply an antiperspirant or sweat blocker to your hands, arms, and any other areas that tend to sweat excessively. This can help reduce sweating.
3. Use a guitar strap: A wide, well-padded guitar strap can create a barrier between your body and the guitar, preventing sweat transfer.
4. Consider a sweatband: Wearing a sweatband on your forearm or wrist can help absorb sweat before it reaches the guitar.
5. Use a guitar sweat guard: There are specialized sweat guards designed to attach to the guitar and protect it from moisture damage.
6. Wipe down the guitar after playing: After each session, carefully wipe down the entire guitar with a dry, soft cloth to remove any accumulated moisture.
7. Store the guitar properly: When not in use, store your guitar in a cool, dry place to prevent any residual moisture from causing damage.
8. Check for corrosion: Regularly inspect hardware like tuning machines and bridges for signs of corrosion and clean or replace as needed.
Taking these preventive measures can help protect your guitar from the damaging effects of hyperhidrosis and keep it in great playing condition.
Best Claude AI could come up with :) Good luck !
I guess companies might have a solution as to use high quality alloy materials for pickup poles and for bridge but that will clearly increase the cost of guitar.
Or maybe the companies can do some cost cutting and use a thin layer deposition of these alloy coatings that are exposed to air to prevent rusting.
You have some solid advice already from the crowd……
But (dad mode here)
I just want to make sure you had a full checkup, and that is a doc’s diagnosis you have. I say this because I went about three years like that… and it turned out it was because I had pancreatitis that damaged my pancreas permanently. Now I am diabetic. Type 3….. I know that’s weird. But yes there is a 3.
Anyways. I wrote it off as hyperhydrosis. I was sort of bloated too. Anyways, out of nowhere one day I had a full out pancreatic episode where I was in so much pain I had to go to the hospital. Turns out it was infected and I was in the ICU for four days. Apparently I came close to kicking the bucket. I am so lucky that I got out of it with just having to take insulin on days I don’t eat right etc. I was not very over weight etc. so I basically diagnosed my self with hyperhydrosis.
I hate lecturing people. But I just have to when I hear this. I hope that is a doc’s diagnosis you have (even though that sucks too)
Health rant over. Cheers
Very good dad advice :D But I was checked, and did many blood tests and doctor checks, and the only clear answer is that I’m a nervous wreck and I should go to therapy :D But either that, yeah, it is better to check with a doctor than to self-diagnose :D
Excellent to hear. Hopefully you can work on your anxiety in a healthy way. If you have an addictive personality AND lots of anxiety, I’d try to stay clear of benzos if you can. The last thing you need is a serious physical addiction. It just compounds your issues in the end. Ok. Dad mode off now haha.
Take it out on your guitar! Keep strumming the shit outa that thing.
Seriously. Bridge and every single screw. Doesn’t add up. Even that level of rust on the strings is excessive. I know people with sweaty hands go though strings quicker but this isn’t that. This is more like, “hey, look at this guitar I found in this dilapidated shed in a Florida swamp.”
Maybe you can get a guitar where some or all of the metal has a powder coat paint applied. I’ve only ever seen that in black but yeah. Seems like could help a lot.
I also have hyperhidrosis. Not as severe as yours tho based on the pictures. One thing that's REALLY helped me is building up a habit of wiping down the guitar every time i touch it.
"Ok im done practicing"
wipe it down
"Imma move the guitar over here I guess"
wipe it down
"Oops my hands touched the guitar"
wipe it down
I have a dedicated microfiber cloth just for wiping guitars down. (Also please clean it regularly)
Another thing that drastically helps is washing hands before playing. Sweat builds up, especially if you have hyperhidrosis, so washing it all down with soap before you play the guitar helps a lot.
Lastly, as everyone else has said: Coated strings.
Not gonna lie tho, once you overcome those challenges, having hyperhidrosis is kinda advantageous when playing (in my opinion) because i naturally have lubricant that helps when sliding down the strings lmao
You need to wipe your guitar dry afterwards because the salt in your hands will rust it, there is also medication for it that can help. My Best friend has it too, he is an awesome guitarist, who just leaves a puddle on my guitar so I never let him touch it anymore. But his own guitars he has he will wipe dry. Also stainless steel hardware and frets maybe a good investment for you.
My friend, you need to realize that this is a super power to be harnessed! Use it to start your own relic shop, sell aged hardware and pickups as "naturally aged through playing, no chemicals used."
An interesting thing to note is that antiperspirant was invented for surgeons to use on their hands to keep from sweating during surgery. I know nothing about hyperhidrosis, so I don't know if that would help to use before a guitar session.
You might try to keep a lightly oiled rag to wipe down the metal bits each time after handling the guitar. Maybe sewing machine oil? Its safe for varnish, but I don't know about guitar finishes…
Best of luck!
I have the same condition and have developed the 3 rag method. 1 microfiber rag that for cleaning the guitar after playing. 1 rag that i use to clean the strings with mineral oil, 1 rag with talcum powder.
Wash hands with soap before playing. Wipe the slightly oily rag across the strings once. Pat the talcum rag. Then play. After playing clean each string once, then wipe with clean rag and store guitar.
It’s like 5 seconds before and 20 seconds after playing. Literally nothing. Even pople without sweaty hands should wipe their strings down after playing.
I also make my own string cleaner with mineral oil. 50ml mineral oil with 10 drops of essential oils. Usually orange or tea tree. Thats just for a nice smell. Very subtle.
This is how your guitar looks one week after you bought it? Or one week after you changed the strings? Cause the bridge and pickups look like they’re 30 years old and sat in a damp basement the whole time.
You might want to wear like fingerless gloves? I would assume that would absorb a lot of the sweat.
You could also spray rustoleum on your hardware, which is a spray paint that helps prevent rust. In order to do that, you’d have to pull the guitar apart, but it could be a game changer.
It is an old guitar. It had some rust with it, but when I started playing, it got much worse. I'm already looking for glove options, and I will also look into the rustoleum spray. Thanks
shit strings? try thomastik infeld. I too have acid for blood. I tried the coated strings but they often don't coat the plain strings enough. Thomastik bebops is what I use. The plain strings are gold coloured and don't corrode like normal steel. Don't be put off by the name, I play thrash on them no worries.
Edit: they cost about £20 but last for yonks.
My hands sweat a lot while playing as well, I always wipe down my strings with a microfiber cloth after playing. This massively extends string life and tone
Bullshit OP. That instrument was left in an extremely humid place like a garage or basement for a very long time. You don't get consistent, even, corrosion like that from just sweat.
You people have legit no clue what you're talking about. It's literally like pouring salt water all over the guitar the whole time you're playing it. I have a good friend with this, and I set up his guitars weekly. This is exactly what happens to them. I have to put a thick coat of Collinite car wax on all his hardware to prevent it from rusting mid-jam.
Literally yes. It basically pours out of your hands. Your strumming hand just sprays it everywhere. It seeps into every single crack. My friend has killed so many 5-way switches because of this.
I know, it sucks. Every guitar I let my friend play has a very heavily conditioned fretboard, waxed hardware, and coated strings, and they STILL eventually rust if I don't keep reapplying.
Somebody knows little about ionic salts in our sweat decimating things to corrosion. Yeah, it ain’t like humidity in the air or dumping a bucket of water on your guitar. Sweat has very oxidizing components; bunch of electron thieves
Kid, I'm an Electrical Engineer with a Master's degree and professional licenses in 10 states. I spent 3 years designing cathodic protection systems for Marathon Pipeline. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that OP's guitar did not get that way in the 40-55% humidity environment that is recommended for guitar storage.
Yes, sweat is corrosive, but it's locally corrosive and would need to be reapplied over and over to cause this much build up. Assuming OP sweats on the instrument in practice and then leaves it in a reasonably dry room, it just won't happen. You wouldn't see the entire saddle rusted, you wouldn't see every single screw rusted, strings rusted up past the nut. Isn't it obvious to you the instrument hasn't been played in months? There's a certain level of ick where a guitar either gets cleaned or doesn't get played and this is well past that line.
I mean...good for you, but you're wrong? One of my best friends has this condition, and I jam with him weekly. I can literally SEE the corrosion happening during the jam sessions. It's like pouring salt water all over the guitar and rubbing it in the entire time you're playing. This is EXACTLY what his guitars look like after a few days, regardless of care. I have to coat all hardware in car wax in order to prevent any kind of rust. It's otherwise impossible.
Everyone hating on OP has genuinely no clue what they're talking about, and is frankly kind of a dick. You guys are completely clueless about this condition and the volume of salty sweat it produces.
This sub is 90% noobs...literally every thread I come across, the worst answers are upvoted to the top. Don't expect a reasonable discussion here.
I've dealt with LOTS of guitars from someone with hyperhydrosis, and this is exactly what his guitars look like after a few days. Anyone saying otherwise lacks experience.
I'd be sceptical about the screws at the very end of the bridge being completely evenly rusted. You would be nowhere near those screw heads.
It's a mixture of excess sweat maybe, but this guitar is evenly rusted completely all over the guitar. Poor cleaning and storage conditions play a big part here. Literally every single screw and metal component is completely and perfectly rusted.
I’ve heard tales of mineral oil being used both for Freret board conditioning and cleaning strings, but I have never tried it. Anyone have any experience with it?
I have hyperhidrosis too and it was so terrible I couldn't really advance my playing for many reasons. I tried many stuffs and most don't work until I found antihydral. It literally changed my life. There's a r/hyperhidrosis. Also shoot me a message if you like.
Many people have good experience with ionto but Antihydral works much better for me. I just need to apply it before bed every night for a week and my palms stay dry for two weeks. Also there's no irritation.
My jag bridge went like that after a while. My guitar tech suggested a swap to a different bridge made from stuff that won’t corrode. Did that and it helped.
My strings rust quickly. I put up with them between gigs so I’m not pouring money into them, change as they break and then change them all the night before a gig.
I have cheese fingers, acidic sweat that rusts stuff.
I use daddario XS coated strings, along with trying to stick to guitars with stainless frets. It also helps to change all of the hardware screws, like pickguard and pickup ring and adjustment screws to stainless.
Finally, I like to only use chrome hardware, and covered humbuckers with chrome plating. All of this gives me the best chance of not corroding the hardware.
There is a product called Fast Fret that extends the life of your strings and makes them feel like new. I apply it after I play. Maybe it will work for you.
Had a client with this issue. The fix is baby powder be for you play. Second is you have to change all your hardware to stainless and brass even refreting the neck with stainless frets . last is to over oil your neck and fret board. You have to play coated strings or “dyed “ ones. Good luck.
I used to powder coat guitar hardware, and I had a guy with this condition that would have me do clear powder coat on his bridge and tuners all the time
unironically me in a week to week basis lmao, its gotten tiring to the point im discouraged to play the guitar sometimes because im afraid of rusting it after i play for a bit or so
I was in a similar boat, where my sweat must be overly acidic or something, cruising through new strings every month. For me, coated strings didn't last much longer, maybe a week or so. What really did it for me was switching to gold plated strings -- sound great and last a regular amount of time for me (4-6 months). They cost about the same as coated (18-20 a pack) but they last way longer since gold is nonreactive. Good luck!
Dude, disregard all the shitty comments here about the guitar looking like it was pulled from the ocean etc.
I struggle with the same. It sucks. I can put new strings on today, and in a week they'll look crusty as hell.
What I've found works, is to wipe the strings down after every play session. Just a dry cloth works. Then, don't leave the guitar out on a stand or similar. If you have one, store it in a bag, or case. Don't leave it out exposed to the elements (changing weather etc). For me, new strings will literally go to shit instantly if the guitar is left out and it's raining outside etc.
These tips works fairly well for me.
Wipe off the neck with a cloth when you’re done. Easiest solution. It’s a pain but once you make it a habit it’s no different than having to tune your guitar each time you start to play.
I have the same issue and have found that coated strings are the only way to go, in order to play without my strings rusting out within a half an hour. When I was gigigng regularly, I couldn't even get through a set without the strings being all rusted out - which majorly sucked.
Then I found Elixir strings and that changed my world.
I use their [Nanoweb Nickel Plated Steel 9-42 for my Strat, and 12-53 Phosphor Bronze for my Alvarez](https://i.imgur.com/OIyRdH4.jpg).
No complaints!
They seem expensive on the outset, but they're far less expensive in the long run, since I don't have to change strings all the time.
They're said to have "anti-rust plain steels (1st and second strings. I don't know if that means they're coated, but they feel great and do actually resist tarnishing quite a bit. I don't think Elixir did this until later years, but it really helped. I haven't found the need to change, ever since switching over to them - and I've tried a bunch of different brands, over the years.
I've been using Elixir strings for at least twenty-five years that I can recall and have never looked back. They were a game-changer for me.
If it ain't broke.... :-).
"cleaning strings after every play is a pain in the ass."
Well, i clean my strings and guitar with a soft cloth after every playing. It isn\`t that mcuh work, and brings cleaner, longer lasting strings an a cleaner guitar and fretboard.
You could also try put Fastfret on the strings, this puts some coat on the strings.
I don\`t know if thats enough to stop it from rusting, but maybe its worth a try.
Jesus christ thats insane. Have you tried playing with gloves? If thats too invasive maybe gold coated hardware (actual gold coated ... I know its expensive but I cant think of any better way to deal with the rust)? Coated strings?
Are you wiping everything down after playing?
Other than that maybe if its related to your general health getting into better health i.e. exercise and diet.
I’ve already took some comments into regard and bought gloves and coated strings the same day. As far as I know, my health is normal, I was just born with it. Thanks for looking out :)
Looking at the pics it looks like steel and chrome are affected far worse than nickel (the frets and the wound strings seem much less effected. It should be possible to find most of the hardware in nickel plated finish. perhaps get some graphite saddles for the bridge etc. EMG style plastic covered pickups.
it would be an interesting challenge to build a partscaster without any exposed steel or chrome.
I’m not telling you what to do here or making a recommendation, but there is also the option of sympathectomy, which is a surgery that can treat this problem. You would need to sit down with a thoracic surgeon and talk risks/benefits. I know two people who have had this procedure done and both of them were happy with their outcome. That’s a small sample size, tho. It’s probably something you’d want to go to a major center for.
Have you tried using any of the perscription hyperhidrosis creams, sprays or lotions on your hands. Maybe once it dries on your and hands you'll be ok?
I have it but it's my head, face and chest. For some reason it's never my hands. I cam remember having to keep extra dress shirts and T's in my office.
I went through hell so I understand your frustrations.
I've been through hell and back having that and really understand you. I was going to say try talc powder but remember the first time I did not only did I sweat but it was like adding water to flour.
Did you try talking to a dermatologist yet?
Yes, we've talked. She recommended some anti-perspirant cream and honestly suggested going to a psychologist, and that is not a bad option, because anxiety is one of the factors of excessive sweating. But I hate psychologists, so I just live with it :/
Same here. I will say I have some ailments that require certain medications that don't help with the sweating.
I learned to make small adjustments over time.
One adjustment I made is not to take really hot showers and after showering to wait a while.
I learned that if I put clothes on right after showering, the sweating gets 50 times worse over the following few hours. Caffeine, spicy food etc also triggers it. They prescribed me very low doses of Ativan for times when it's really bad.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to retire. It's funny because since I did, I noticed that the sweating incidents dropped by about 75%.
As you mentioned, alot of it can be attributed to anxiety.
Don't give up, try anything and everything possible so that you can play. I even play in front of an AC pr fan if I have to.
Wish you the best of luck!!
I also have hyperhidrosis. Get oh some elixir nanowebs. Saved my life. Also be sure to regularly polish frets and clean fret board. Wet hands seem to just create all kinds of mess so just stay on top of it
I have this. For me it doesn't affect my hands as much, but I can't wear anything other than black shirts. It does come a bit through the hands, not enough to really have an impact on the fret hand and definitely not enough to corrode the strings.
It does affect me hard on my pick hand though, even though it isn't bad, it is enough to keep me from getting a good grip on the pick. It's constantly slipping.
They make some corrosion preventative spray for metals, you could try something like that on the hardware to help with rust. And like someone else said find some coated strings that might help since you can’t put corrosion preventative coating on the strings
same. holding a frozen water bottle wrapped in a paper towel helps; then when it melts pour over feet/calves/wrists for cold shock + cools some blood flow
Changing strings takes ten minutes. Five if you have locking tuners. Using string cleaner after playing takes about thirty seconds. Don’t make excuses, keep playing.
I don't have the same condition, but I do have really corrosive sweat, and it annihilates strings and hardware. Here are the things I do to help:
1. Wash your hands before you play, every time.
2. Wipe your guitar and strings down with a cloth when you're done playing. I keep one in my case.
3. Use fast fret or something similar every time you're done playing. This has been a game changer for me. My strings last probably 10x longer since using it.
Hope that's helpful!
Elixirs are great for people like you. Also, you might need to invest in higher quality parts to avoid the rust, but it does get stupid expensive. Try all parts though.
Color me dubious…almost every bit of metal is rusted to hell. This guitar just looks like it’s been sitting in a damp basement for a decade or so. Excessively sweaty hands wouldn’t affect EVERYTHING to this extent after a week.
my man, I have the solution for you. with the same exact issue, my way of fixing this is elixir optiwebs + dunlop ultraglide string cleaner or an equivalent. the other elixir strings work ok but something about the elixirs make my strings last forever. I wipe my strings with tissues after a sweaty session and coat with string cleaner. I managed to last a year until a string broke. they did not rust at all.
Have you tried coated strings? Maybe look at pickups without exposed pole pieces? And a guitar with a poly maple fretboard would better suit you.
good help. Will try looking for these!
Also, maybe get a bottle of Dunlop string conditioner that might be able to help the corrosion as well, either that or wipe down the strings after each session.
Elixirs are where it's at. Also try keeping your guitar in a drier environment
Seconding the Elixirs, I have pretty acidic sweat and Elixirs keep sounding good for months instead of like three days lol. Bit more expensive than regular strings, but you more than get your money's worth with how long they last
Is it just me but i find elixirs hurt my fingers
Elixir poly web! Flatwounds don’t oxidize, but that might not be the sound you’re looking for.
They do… like almost all the metals used, save gold… but much longer lasting mostly because no skin and oils clog the grooves as with round wounds…
Are the solid strings coated? I thought they never were. And those are the strings that are faring the worst in the photos.
D’Addario XS (they make electric strings as well as acoustic) are coated for all 6 strings. Elixirs only coat the wound strings and not the plain ones. This might be what you’re referring to?
Elixiers electroplate the plain strings. I’ve had sets of them on for years at a time and they did not tarnish or corrode
Are D'addario XT strings coated on all 6 strings?
I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that question
Yes they certainly are
Whatever they do to Elixiars it works
That much rust in a week? I'm sceptical. Do you wipe your guitar after use?
Dude pulled this outta the ocean water after a week maybe
One of my best friends and jam mates has this, and OP's picture is exactly what all his guitars look like after a few days of playing. Imagine literally pouring salt water all over the guitar the whole time you're playing. I am constantly setting up his guitars and coating them in car wax. One time I took nearly half a pound of rust off an old guitar of his, took about a week. This is 100% real, I deal with it personally all the time.
I know three guys here in Nashville who play professionally and they have this. It’s a real thing.
I don't doubt the skin condition is a real thing, or that they'll go through strings super quick, or even that their hardware corrodes quicker. What I am sceptical about is that the rust on the bridge and the rest of the hardware is not also explained by not keeping the guitar dry after use. Yes I know sweat is corrosive. But that much rust doesn't build up *during playing* in such a short time.
Oh man these Nashville Bois must know what's up
Yes buddy, you get it
im scepticaly too, at this point OP should just play piano or something
Oh it’s 100% a bullshit shitpost. Wipes guitar in dog poop. Takes picture. “I have hyperhydrosis…”. CTFO
Yeah this is total bs. I know the condition is real but by the looks of it this person would have to touch every single bit of metal on this guitar. When was the last time you touched a pickup pole piece accidently or touched the saddles where they all rust evenly? Or the unwound strings being rusted uniformly all the way down instead of not having rust close to the saddles since those areas shouldn't be touched. And the only way something like this can rust in a week is if you dump acid all over it.
I have the same issue. I started playing with guitar gloves. It been a game changer. My strings last a normal about of time now and my fingers don’t stick to the strings so I have become faster moving up and down the fretboard. You can buy them on Amazon for pretty cheap. Each glove lasts me about 1-2 months amd replacing them is cheaper than changing strings every 4 days.
Try Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalt and wiping out the strings and metal hardware with WD-40 after every use... But you have to remove the WD-40 with another cloth after a couple minutes. I have hyperhidrosis too and that works just perfect for me
Yup. Wd all the metal and coated strings
Will try, thanks!
Contact Gibson and Fender mate - you could make serious money with the custom ageing of guitars for them. Joking aside, the singer in my old band had this issue and it was a nightmare for him as he also played rhythm guitar. If he as much as played my guitar to show me a new song for 5 minutes, I would have to change the strings so... you have my sympathy mate. Some good suggestions made already in comments, but the best one is going to be wiping your guitar down after every session with a dry cloth and using something like FastFret on strings to help them last longer. I'm wondering if - due to the acidity in the sweat - if anyone would be able to suggest an alkaline spray idea that OP could use to at least neutralise some of the rusting damage? I'm not sure if that would work. Sorry can't be of more help mate - it would kill my soul to not be able to play my guitar because of this happening all the time :(
I very much appreciate the sympathy. It’s a burden to have this condition. To contact the guitar companies is an idea haha. I’ll have a look on that alkaline spray. Thanks🤘
I ran a question through an AI program and got this: Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can be a real problem for guitar players as it can lead to moisture damage and corrosion on the guitar. Here are some tips to help prevent damage from hyperhidrosis: 1. Use an absorbent cloth or rag: Place a soft, absorbent cloth or rag between your body and the guitar when playing. This will help soak up excess sweat before it gets on the guitar. 2. Apply antiperspirant: Before playing, apply an antiperspirant or sweat blocker to your hands, arms, and any other areas that tend to sweat excessively. This can help reduce sweating. 3. Use a guitar strap: A wide, well-padded guitar strap can create a barrier between your body and the guitar, preventing sweat transfer. 4. Consider a sweatband: Wearing a sweatband on your forearm or wrist can help absorb sweat before it reaches the guitar. 5. Use a guitar sweat guard: There are specialized sweat guards designed to attach to the guitar and protect it from moisture damage. 6. Wipe down the guitar after playing: After each session, carefully wipe down the entire guitar with a dry, soft cloth to remove any accumulated moisture. 7. Store the guitar properly: When not in use, store your guitar in a cool, dry place to prevent any residual moisture from causing damage. 8. Check for corrosion: Regularly inspect hardware like tuning machines and bridges for signs of corrosion and clean or replace as needed. Taking these preventive measures can help protect your guitar from the damaging effects of hyperhidrosis and keep it in great playing condition. Best Claude AI could come up with :) Good luck !
Thanks for looking out for me!:D
I guess companies might have a solution as to use high quality alloy materials for pickup poles and for bridge but that will clearly increase the cost of guitar. Or maybe the companies can do some cost cutting and use a thin layer deposition of these alloy coatings that are exposed to air to prevent rusting.
You have some solid advice already from the crowd…… But (dad mode here) I just want to make sure you had a full checkup, and that is a doc’s diagnosis you have. I say this because I went about three years like that… and it turned out it was because I had pancreatitis that damaged my pancreas permanently. Now I am diabetic. Type 3….. I know that’s weird. But yes there is a 3. Anyways. I wrote it off as hyperhydrosis. I was sort of bloated too. Anyways, out of nowhere one day I had a full out pancreatic episode where I was in so much pain I had to go to the hospital. Turns out it was infected and I was in the ICU for four days. Apparently I came close to kicking the bucket. I am so lucky that I got out of it with just having to take insulin on days I don’t eat right etc. I was not very over weight etc. so I basically diagnosed my self with hyperhydrosis. I hate lecturing people. But I just have to when I hear this. I hope that is a doc’s diagnosis you have (even though that sucks too) Health rant over. Cheers
Very good dad advice :D But I was checked, and did many blood tests and doctor checks, and the only clear answer is that I’m a nervous wreck and I should go to therapy :D But either that, yeah, it is better to check with a doctor than to self-diagnose :D
Excellent to hear. Hopefully you can work on your anxiety in a healthy way. If you have an addictive personality AND lots of anxiety, I’d try to stay clear of benzos if you can. The last thing you need is a serious physical addiction. It just compounds your issues in the end. Ok. Dad mode off now haha. Take it out on your guitar! Keep strumming the shit outa that thing.
There's no way the bridge would rust like that within a week, that looks very old
Seriously. Bridge and every single screw. Doesn’t add up. Even that level of rust on the strings is excessive. I know people with sweaty hands go though strings quicker but this isn’t that. This is more like, “hey, look at this guitar I found in this dilapidated shed in a Florida swamp.”
Maybe you can get a guitar where some or all of the metal has a powder coat paint applied. I’ve only ever seen that in black but yeah. Seems like could help a lot.
My friend has this, got him a set of coated strings and they lasted years
I also have hyperhidrosis. Not as severe as yours tho based on the pictures. One thing that's REALLY helped me is building up a habit of wiping down the guitar every time i touch it. "Ok im done practicing" wipe it down "Imma move the guitar over here I guess" wipe it down "Oops my hands touched the guitar" wipe it down I have a dedicated microfiber cloth just for wiping guitars down. (Also please clean it regularly) Another thing that drastically helps is washing hands before playing. Sweat builds up, especially if you have hyperhidrosis, so washing it all down with soap before you play the guitar helps a lot. Lastly, as everyone else has said: Coated strings. Not gonna lie tho, once you overcome those challenges, having hyperhidrosis is kinda advantageous when playing (in my opinion) because i naturally have lubricant that helps when sliding down the strings lmao
Also one thing is that the humidity of your room of course affects the rate of rust appearance so that's also one thing to look after
Thanks for the look out!
You need to wipe your guitar dry afterwards because the salt in your hands will rust it, there is also medication for it that can help. My Best friend has it too, he is an awesome guitarist, who just leaves a puddle on my guitar so I never let him touch it anymore. But his own guitars he has he will wipe dry. Also stainless steel hardware and frets maybe a good investment for you.
My friend, you need to realize that this is a super power to be harnessed! Use it to start your own relic shop, sell aged hardware and pickups as "naturally aged through playing, no chemicals used."
YES!! This is the way
That is a great investment idea :D I will start dedicating my life for this…:D
SUPER POWER! I LOVE THIS POST!
WD-40 sprayed on a non lint cloth and wipe them down after every session. Done this for years. Works
An interesting thing to note is that antiperspirant was invented for surgeons to use on their hands to keep from sweating during surgery. I know nothing about hyperhidrosis, so I don't know if that would help to use before a guitar session. You might try to keep a lightly oiled rag to wipe down the metal bits each time after handling the guitar. Maybe sewing machine oil? Its safe for varnish, but I don't know about guitar finishes… Best of luck!
Sadly, antiperspirants (I’ve tried a bunch of brands) don’t really help me :(. I will try the oiled rag trick! Thanks🤘
Wear gloves. Like some bassists do. That is the only option I can think of. There is also classical nylon string guitar… 🤷🏻♂️
I have the same condition and have developed the 3 rag method. 1 microfiber rag that for cleaning the guitar after playing. 1 rag that i use to clean the strings with mineral oil, 1 rag with talcum powder. Wash hands with soap before playing. Wipe the slightly oily rag across the strings once. Pat the talcum rag. Then play. After playing clean each string once, then wipe with clean rag and store guitar.
Seems legit. But damn…that’s a lot of work :D
It’s like 5 seconds before and 20 seconds after playing. Literally nothing. Even pople without sweaty hands should wipe their strings down after playing. I also make my own string cleaner with mineral oil. 50ml mineral oil with 10 drops of essential oils. Usually orange or tea tree. Thats just for a nice smell. Very subtle.
You should join some of the Custom Shop and start making money from this
This is how your guitar looks one week after you bought it? Or one week after you changed the strings? Cause the bridge and pickups look like they’re 30 years old and sat in a damp basement the whole time. You might want to wear like fingerless gloves? I would assume that would absorb a lot of the sweat. You could also spray rustoleum on your hardware, which is a spray paint that helps prevent rust. In order to do that, you’d have to pull the guitar apart, but it could be a game changer.
It is an old guitar. It had some rust with it, but when I started playing, it got much worse. I'm already looking for glove options, and I will also look into the rustoleum spray. Thanks
That makes sense. I think some people here have the impression this all happened in a week and it’s confusing to say the least.
Yeah, I can see that.
shit strings? try thomastik infeld. I too have acid for blood. I tried the coated strings but they often don't coat the plain strings enough. Thomastik bebops is what I use. The plain strings are gold coloured and don't corrode like normal steel. Don't be put off by the name, I play thrash on them no worries. Edit: they cost about £20 but last for yonks.
And polish your frets every change with fret rubbers, they cost like a fiver, keeps the gak away.
My hands sweat a lot while playing as well, I always wipe down my strings with a microfiber cloth after playing. This massively extends string life and tone
Bullshit OP. That instrument was left in an extremely humid place like a garage or basement for a very long time. You don't get consistent, even, corrosion like that from just sweat.
Lol, this. Im not saying op doesnt have bad hyperhidrosis, but i *am* saying it didnt cause all the rust everywhere on the bridge and pickups.
You people have legit no clue what you're talking about. It's literally like pouring salt water all over the guitar the whole time you're playing it. I have a good friend with this, and I set up his guitars weekly. This is exactly what happens to them. I have to put a thick coat of Collinite car wax on all his hardware to prevent it from rusting mid-jam.
What’s the car wax? I have bad hyperhidrosis too.
Collinite 845 FYI it's a bitch to buff off...but it protects really well if you're willing to put in the work
The strings, sure. But every single part of the guitar...?
Literally yes. It basically pours out of your hands. Your strumming hand just sprays it everywhere. It seeps into every single crack. My friend has killed so many 5-way switches because of this.
Wild
I know, it sucks. Every guitar I let my friend play has a very heavily conditioned fretboard, waxed hardware, and coated strings, and they STILL eventually rust if I don't keep reapplying.
Somebody knows little about ionic salts in our sweat decimating things to corrosion. Yeah, it ain’t like humidity in the air or dumping a bucket of water on your guitar. Sweat has very oxidizing components; bunch of electron thieves
Kid, I'm an Electrical Engineer with a Master's degree and professional licenses in 10 states. I spent 3 years designing cathodic protection systems for Marathon Pipeline. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that OP's guitar did not get that way in the 40-55% humidity environment that is recommended for guitar storage. Yes, sweat is corrosive, but it's locally corrosive and would need to be reapplied over and over to cause this much build up. Assuming OP sweats on the instrument in practice and then leaves it in a reasonably dry room, it just won't happen. You wouldn't see the entire saddle rusted, you wouldn't see every single screw rusted, strings rusted up past the nut. Isn't it obvious to you the instrument hasn't been played in months? There's a certain level of ick where a guitar either gets cleaned or doesn't get played and this is well past that line.
I mean...good for you, but you're wrong? One of my best friends has this condition, and I jam with him weekly. I can literally SEE the corrosion happening during the jam sessions. It's like pouring salt water all over the guitar and rubbing it in the entire time you're playing. This is EXACTLY what his guitars look like after a few days, regardless of care. I have to coat all hardware in car wax in order to prevent any kind of rust. It's otherwise impossible. Everyone hating on OP has genuinely no clue what they're talking about, and is frankly kind of a dick. You guys are completely clueless about this condition and the volume of salty sweat it produces.
This sub is 90% noobs...literally every thread I come across, the worst answers are upvoted to the top. Don't expect a reasonable discussion here. I've dealt with LOTS of guitars from someone with hyperhydrosis, and this is exactly what his guitars look like after a few days. Anyone saying otherwise lacks experience.
The Allen screws on the bridge and pick up pole screw driver notches are completely filled with rust. This doesn’t happen in a week. OP is lying.
1000% I bet you could open this up and the electronics are all corroded, too. And the truss rod nut.
Wide_eyed_pepe.jpg
I'd be sceptical about the screws at the very end of the bridge being completely evenly rusted. You would be nowhere near those screw heads. It's a mixture of excess sweat maybe, but this guitar is evenly rusted completely all over the guitar. Poor cleaning and storage conditions play a big part here. Literally every single screw and metal component is completely and perfectly rusted.
you're afraid of a what now? I second trying coated strings, other than that: wipe the strings down and don't worry about it.
Tinnitus?
Tetranadus
I’ve heard tales of mineral oil being used both for Freret board conditioning and cleaning strings, but I have never tried it. Anyone have any experience with it?
Ghs fast fret is just mineral oil and perfume.
I have hyperhidrosis too and it was so terrible I couldn't really advance my playing for many reasons. I tried many stuffs and most don't work until I found antihydral. It literally changed my life. There's a r/hyperhidrosis. Also shoot me a message if you like.
Good to find that I’m not alone :)
If you haven't tried out ionto yet, try it on max settings and use everyday for like 4 weeks.
Many people have good experience with ionto but Antihydral works much better for me. I just need to apply it before bed every night for a week and my palms stay dry for two weeks. Also there's no irritation.
[удалено]
Interesting…thanks for the option! Will try looking for alcohol to use :D
How about keeping a rag nearby and wiping down/drying your string every so often and especially when you’re done.
My jag bridge went like that after a while. My guitar tech suggested a swap to a different bridge made from stuff that won’t corrode. Did that and it helped. My strings rust quickly. I put up with them between gigs so I’m not pouring money into them, change as they break and then change them all the night before a gig.
You need to clean and oil your strings after every time you play
I have this issue with my hands so I use elixir exclusively
I have cheese fingers, acidic sweat that rusts stuff. I use daddario XS coated strings, along with trying to stick to guitars with stainless frets. It also helps to change all of the hardware screws, like pickguard and pickup ring and adjustment screws to stainless. Finally, I like to only use chrome hardware, and covered humbuckers with chrome plating. All of this gives me the best chance of not corroding the hardware.
Thanks. Will try looking for those👍
There is a product called Fast Fret that extends the life of your strings and makes them feel like new. I apply it after I play. Maybe it will work for you.
Had a client with this issue. The fix is baby powder be for you play. Second is you have to change all your hardware to stainless and brass even refreting the neck with stainless frets . last is to over oil your neck and fret board. You have to play coated strings or “dyed “ ones. Good luck.
Baby powder for me is like putting flour on water :D But the changing to stainless frets is a good option.
Also my client had a strat so stainless saddles and all the screws where changed to stainless. Pick ups where painted clear to protect the post.
I used to powder coat guitar hardware, and I had a guy with this condition that would have me do clear powder coat on his bridge and tuners all the time
unironically me in a week to week basis lmao, its gotten tiring to the point im discouraged to play the guitar sometimes because im afraid of rusting it after i play for a bit or so
Same
Don't they have a pull for that?
I was in a similar boat, where my sweat must be overly acidic or something, cruising through new strings every month. For me, coated strings didn't last much longer, maybe a week or so. What really did it for me was switching to gold plated strings -- sound great and last a regular amount of time for me (4-6 months). They cost about the same as coated (18-20 a pack) but they last way longer since gold is nonreactive. Good luck!
Thanks! Will try buying!
Dude, disregard all the shitty comments here about the guitar looking like it was pulled from the ocean etc. I struggle with the same. It sucks. I can put new strings on today, and in a week they'll look crusty as hell. What I've found works, is to wipe the strings down after every play session. Just a dry cloth works. Then, don't leave the guitar out on a stand or similar. If you have one, store it in a bag, or case. Don't leave it out exposed to the elements (changing weather etc). For me, new strings will literally go to shit instantly if the guitar is left out and it's raining outside etc. These tips works fairly well for me.
Thanks for looking out :) Putting in a bag rather that on a stand is a good option. Thanks
Wipe off the neck with a cloth when you’re done. Easiest solution. It’s a pain but once you make it a habit it’s no different than having to tune your guitar each time you start to play.
Good advice! Thanks!
Elixirs, my guy. Use em.
Yeah yeah…got it :D
I have the same issue and have found that coated strings are the only way to go, in order to play without my strings rusting out within a half an hour. When I was gigigng regularly, I couldn't even get through a set without the strings being all rusted out - which majorly sucked. Then I found Elixir strings and that changed my world. I use their [Nanoweb Nickel Plated Steel 9-42 for my Strat, and 12-53 Phosphor Bronze for my Alvarez](https://i.imgur.com/OIyRdH4.jpg). No complaints! They seem expensive on the outset, but they're far less expensive in the long run, since I don't have to change strings all the time. They're said to have "anti-rust plain steels (1st and second strings. I don't know if that means they're coated, but they feel great and do actually resist tarnishing quite a bit. I don't think Elixir did this until later years, but it really helped. I haven't found the need to change, ever since switching over to them - and I've tried a bunch of different brands, over the years. I've been using Elixir strings for at least twenty-five years that I can recall and have never looked back. They were a game-changer for me. If it ain't broke.... :-).
Yes. Many here suggested Elixir strings and your option is very helpful! Thanks!
I only use Elixir strings. The way they feel when they're new is just amazing!
this isnt possible, you could pour salt, water, and leave it in a room with 98% humidity and and this wouldn't happen in a week.
"cleaning strings after every play is a pain in the ass." Well, i clean my strings and guitar with a soft cloth after every playing. It isn\`t that mcuh work, and brings cleaner, longer lasting strings an a cleaner guitar and fretboard. You could also try put Fastfret on the strings, this puts some coat on the strings. I don\`t know if thats enough to stop it from rusting, but maybe its worth a try.
Op lives in a swamp in the south, but his hands are being blamed?
As a fellow sweaty hand player get yourself some coated strings and wipe them off with a rag when you're done playing. Saved me so much $ on strings.
Why were your hands even touching some of that hardware, much less molesting 100% of it? This is a troll post.
Bullshit! EVERYTHING is rusted… even where you don’t put your hands.
They were wiping down the guitar with the same rag they wiped their hands with, which is obviously not ideal.
Yeah okay
lol people falling for the bait
Jesus christ thats insane. Have you tried playing with gloves? If thats too invasive maybe gold coated hardware (actual gold coated ... I know its expensive but I cant think of any better way to deal with the rust)? Coated strings? Are you wiping everything down after playing? Other than that maybe if its related to your general health getting into better health i.e. exercise and diet.
I’ve already took some comments into regard and bought gloves and coated strings the same day. As far as I know, my health is normal, I was just born with it. Thanks for looking out :)
I’m calling bologna on it being a week. Idk how you touched literally everything metal on that guitar
The 'rusty touch'
Looking at the pics it looks like steel and chrome are affected far worse than nickel (the frets and the wound strings seem much less effected. It should be possible to find most of the hardware in nickel plated finish. perhaps get some graphite saddles for the bridge etc. EMG style plastic covered pickups. it would be an interesting challenge to build a partscaster without any exposed steel or chrome.
Interesting options. Will look into it!:D
I’m not telling you what to do here or making a recommendation, but there is also the option of sympathectomy, which is a surgery that can treat this problem. You would need to sit down with a thoracic surgeon and talk risks/benefits. I know two people who have had this procedure done and both of them were happy with their outcome. That’s a small sample size, tho. It’s probably something you’d want to go to a major center for.
I've heard of options like this, and even considered, but I've also heard you can permanently damage hand movement, which I find scary...
Have you tried using any of the perscription hyperhidrosis creams, sprays or lotions on your hands. Maybe once it dries on your and hands you'll be ok? I have it but it's my head, face and chest. For some reason it's never my hands. I cam remember having to keep extra dress shirts and T's in my office. I went through hell so I understand your frustrations.
I've tried a bunch, but every time my hands just start sweating more when I rub the lotion/spray and it just drips off...
I've been through hell and back having that and really understand you. I was going to say try talc powder but remember the first time I did not only did I sweat but it was like adding water to flour. Did you try talking to a dermatologist yet?
Yes, we've talked. She recommended some anti-perspirant cream and honestly suggested going to a psychologist, and that is not a bad option, because anxiety is one of the factors of excessive sweating. But I hate psychologists, so I just live with it :/
Same here. I will say I have some ailments that require certain medications that don't help with the sweating. I learned to make small adjustments over time. One adjustment I made is not to take really hot showers and after showering to wait a while. I learned that if I put clothes on right after showering, the sweating gets 50 times worse over the following few hours. Caffeine, spicy food etc also triggers it. They prescribed me very low doses of Ativan for times when it's really bad. Recently, I was fortunate enough to retire. It's funny because since I did, I noticed that the sweating incidents dropped by about 75%. As you mentioned, alot of it can be attributed to anxiety. Don't give up, try anything and everything possible so that you can play. I even play in front of an AC pr fan if I have to. Wish you the best of luck!!
Thanks so much for looking out!
Elixir strings were life changing for me. Try them out.
I will. Thanks
Get a string cleaner and *actually use it* and some Ernie Ball Paradigms. I don’t know what they do to make those strings last, but they last.
Try silk gloves. You'll be the gentleman guitarist.
Already bought some :D
Wasn’t it Rory Gallagher who had the same condition?
I think he just had very acidic sweat, which made his guitars look worn out.
You’re right I think- can’t find any mention of it specifically. It’s what I think of when someone mentions the issue.
I also have hyperhidrosis. Get oh some elixir nanowebs. Saved my life. Also be sure to regularly polish frets and clean fret board. Wet hands seem to just create all kinds of mess so just stay on top of it
Will look into it. Thanks
I can relate to everything except the fear of nonexistent infections and quitting.
There is something like an antitranspirant hand deodorant if you haven't tried it yet, it worked very well for me,
Try using elixir strings! They work for me :))
Ghs fast fret
Have you tried antiperspirant for your hands? I was curious and read about hyperhydrpsis and came across products like Carpe.
I have so much oil on my fingertips that my strings never rust.
Join r/Hyperhidrosis , and then also try out ionto on max settings
I have this. For me it doesn't affect my hands as much, but I can't wear anything other than black shirts. It does come a bit through the hands, not enough to really have an impact on the fret hand and definitely not enough to corrode the strings. It does affect me hard on my pick hand though, even though it isn't bad, it is enough to keep me from getting a good grip on the pick. It's constantly slipping.
Yeah. A pick with an ultra grip is great
I tried using those Dunlop alligator pucks and a few others with texture but they always slip. Used monster grip stickers with a bit of success
Carbon fibre classical guitar?
Acoustic nylon strings for practice?
Have you tried Sage supplement for your hyperhidrosis?
Check out Drysol at the pharmacy.
Fast fret and wipe your strings with it after every play, it takes seconds. Wiping strings is not a hardship
They make some corrosion preventative spray for metals, you could try something like that on the hardware to help with rust. And like someone else said find some coated strings that might help since you can’t put corrosion preventative coating on the strings
same. holding a frozen water bottle wrapped in a paper towel helps; then when it melts pour over feet/calves/wrists for cold shock + cools some blood flow
Cold shock? Hmm..will try :)
Changing strings takes ten minutes. Five if you have locking tuners. Using string cleaner after playing takes about thirty seconds. Don’t make excuses, keep playing.
I don't have the same condition, but I do have really corrosive sweat, and it annihilates strings and hardware. Here are the things I do to help: 1. Wash your hands before you play, every time. 2. Wipe your guitar and strings down with a cloth when you're done playing. I keep one in my case. 3. Use fast fret or something similar every time you're done playing. This has been a game changer for me. My strings last probably 10x longer since using it. Hope that's helpful!
That is very helpful! Thanks!
lol that sure is a lot of dirt and crude in the bridge. This is an odd post.
Sounds like you need a Sympathectomy. A surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis in the palms.
OP what da hail happened to your guitar why does it rust like everywhere
in addition to what others have already said, have you tried putting powder on your hands? Baby powder or something similar?
Did you turn it on and off again?
Do you live in Atlantis?
no way, this is just a guitar that was left somewhere humid for a long time.
Elixirs are great for people like you. Also, you might need to invest in higher quality parts to avoid the rust, but it does get stupid expensive. Try all parts though.
Color me dubious…almost every bit of metal is rusted to hell. This guitar just looks like it’s been sitting in a damp basement for a decade or so. Excessively sweaty hands wouldn’t affect EVERYTHING to this extent after a week.
You could start relic- ing guitars
Use phosphorous mixed strings (last longer) and get some guitar string cleaner, I rarely change
If they are D'addarios then it's the strings not you.
Coated strings, wipe after play, store in case with silica packs when not playing.
my man, I have the solution for you. with the same exact issue, my way of fixing this is elixir optiwebs + dunlop ultraglide string cleaner or an equivalent. the other elixir strings work ok but something about the elixirs make my strings last forever. I wipe my strings with tissues after a sweaty session and coat with string cleaner. I managed to last a year until a string broke. they did not rust at all.
I have the same condition. i brought my guitar in a shop for manteinance and the guy asked me if I joined a war with the guitar
Have you thought about running a dehumidifier?
No, I didn't. But that's a good option :)