Nickel Allergy SUCKS!!! Guitar Strings Question.

Redhouse-Blues · #1 08-31-2009, 09:52 AM

I have a nickel allergy and the only metal that I can safely leave on my skin is gold. Well lately, it has kicked in more then ever and my fingers on my fretting hand are broken out and it almost kepted me from playing this weekend, new skin rocks!! I'm thinking about trying coated strings, I'm just wondering if anyone else has this problem. I'm a huge DR Strings fan and have been using them for years. So, I'm looking at their coated strings. I also heard Nano webs are cool.

Will coated strings help?

How are they?

Any tone loss?

DaBlizzardofOz · #2 08-31-2009, 10:06 AM

Tone loss? I wouldn't call it that. Coated strings do tend to sound different than regular ones, usually brighter. I tried em and switched back because I didn't like the feel or tone, but some people love it. They definitely hold their tone longer (assuming you like that tone). If they don't bother your skin you should try them. You just have to get used to the feel & adjust your rig for the tone change.

goodhonk · #3 08-31-2009, 10:11 AM

play with gloves on.

Jet Bycraft · #4 08-31-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redhouse-Blues

I have a nickel allergy and the only metal that I can safely leave on my skin is gold. Well lately, it has kicked in more then ever and my fingers on my fretting hand are broken out and it almost kepted me from playing this weekend, new skin rocks!! I'm thinking about trying coated strings, I'm just wondering if anyone else has this problem. I'm a huge DR Strings fan and have been using them for years. So, I'm looking at their coated strings. I also heard Nano webs are cool.

Will coated strings help?

How are they?

Any tone loss?

Check these out...http://www.juststrings.com/opt-eg2028rl.html

Redhouse-Blues · #5 08-31-2009, 10:56 AM

I can't play with gloves on, that would suck!!!

The gold strings would work, but at $38 a set holy cow!!!!

I'm going to order some coated, this allergy has been a pain in my ass for all my life and it seems as I get older it get's worse. It sucks having your fretting hand and fingers broken out in little blisters and rash from time to time.

JCM 800 · #6 08-31-2009, 11:02 AM

There were some gold strings out about 10 years ago that I completely loved! Can't remember the name right now, but they have been out of business for a long time.

Don A · #7 08-31-2009, 11:31 AM

How about stainless steel strings? Are nickel frets a problem as well?

MaxBoogie · #8 08-31-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don A

How about stainless steel strings? Are nickel frets a problem as well?

Stainless still generally has nickel in it....

The coated strings (like Elixer) are only coated on the bottom 3 strings...

I like the gold plated idea!

Redhouse-Blues · #9 08-31-2009, 12:14 PM

After doing a google search, there's page after page of people talking about this, it's pretty common with players. GHS makes a nickel free SS strings as do Ernie Ball. It's either coated of nickel free Stainless Steel. Which ones will sound the closest to nickel?

There's a ton of people who quite playing because of this. I'm not that guy!!!!

Grenville · #10 08-31-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redhouse-Blues

$38 a set holy cow!!!!

Be thankful you're not a classical musician!

Dave Yeats · #11 08-31-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redhouse-Blues

After doing a google search, there's page after page of people talking about this, it's pretty common with players. GHS makes a nickel free SS strings as do Ernie Ball. It's either coated of nickel free Stainless Steel. Which ones will sound the closest to nickel?

There's a ton of people who quite playing because of this. I'm not that guy!!!!

Only the wound strings are coated on those coated sets. Try the nickel-free SS.