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This is probably a real dumb question and after playing for 40 years I should know this but what the heck causes my fingers to turn black when I play? I am using Martin Marquis Lights on rosewood fingerboard and they actually tarnish my fingertips (fret side). Used to happen when I played my old Guild with also had rosweood fingerboard and Martin strings.

No damage, just curious

Same here - same strings - no answer

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

i dont know..good question. ive had that happen before too. sorry that i cant answer it for you.

I think, but don't really know, that it's the dirt and grime that accumulates on the strings. This mixes with the natural oil produced by the fingers, which also adds more dirt and grime to the strings, hence, blackened fingers. When I wipe my strings down after playing, I get the same kind of dirt on the rag.

Ebony ?

Rich,
   I believe that you would find that with certain brands of strings and then with certain string sets from those manufacturers that are made from specific compositions of metals for their tone and tension offerings that the strings are actually causing the blackening of your fingerings.

   I'm guessing that the blackening begins right from the time that the strings ar put on the guitar and not after they've had time to gather and collect enough oils and grime to deposit on your hands. It's probably just something either in the metal composition or on the surface that is coming off when you play and showing up on your fingers as black.

You'd have to really be rubbing off some oils and dirt for it to come back at you like that. Try a different brand for a single set and see what happens. I'll bet that you notice a big difference when you do.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Rich it's the strings. Kevin is right on. Same thing happens to me with brand new strings. Are you using bronze or phospher/bronze. Try switching to one or the other.

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Have you tried some of the coated strings from Martin D'Addario etc?


Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I think it has something to do with oxidizing on the strings themselves. Kinda like brass will turn darker over time, but can be polished to bring the shine back. If you look at the polishing rag you will see that it has black stuff all over it.

When your fingers slide around on the strings, you are doing a sort of polishing. The black stuff winds up on your fingers instead of on a rag.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I used D'Addario Phosphor Bronze for years, and this would always happen to me, but mostly on my stumming hand - I'm assuming chemical reaction. Recently switched to Elixir (coated) strings, and I love em! I've had the current set on for three weeks, and they sound as good as when I put them on! No staining, great sound, long lasting.

-Mark

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It is the strings 99% of the time. They don't have to be phosphor either. I just put BFTS on a Brand new Floyd Rose guitar that has the new Speed Loader system. Well the same thing happened. Sometimes it's the dye in the finger board. Many companys stain their Ebony f.b.'s to make them "look nicer". Most of the time it's the strings.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

It is a reaction of the acids in your skin to the metal of the string. A good way to help reduce the amout of the reaction is to wash and dry your hands just prior to playing. You see this more with phospherous/bronze sets.

I know players that have a major issues no mater what string they play. For Them, coated strings like Elixr Nano-Web or Poly-Web help.

This reaction will prematurly dull the tonal responce of the strings due to the rapid build-up of oxidation in the windings. If you are prone to this reaction, again wash hand prior to playing. and wipe off the strings with a lightly damp lint free cloth directly after playing.

Lots of great replies here. Thanks to all. It is not the fretboard for sure, it is rosewood with no dye. I suspect those of you who are blaming the reaction to oils are probably right. Wondering if it might be age of strings - they were new but maybe old stock that started to oxidize. In any case, will test by putting a new set on and trying to keep the clean by wiping down.

Rich,

It's simple - you obviously play with so much soul it's just eeking its way out of your fingertips when you play. You must be playing blues or jazz or rhythm & blues. If you're playing bluegrass or bubblegum music, there is no logical explanation.

please note:
The above post is entirely superflous and not mean't to be considered a "real" explanation of your "dark fingers" dilema. (hopefully that will head off any misunderstandings)

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