Customer Reviews

The String Cleaner by ToneGear

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This New String Cleaner works as advertised.

The plus side is that it simultaneously cleans beneath and on top of the strings.

The minus side is that when pushed up to the nut it gets really tight between the strings and fretboard, and will not easily clean at the important first fret position. Pulling on the device when it binds in that area results in its opening up or disengaging.

A simple wiping with a cloth or using "Fast-Fret" will work almost as well for a lot less money.

I bought this product despite the warnings I read about in these reviews. I also play with very low action, but I had no problem using this device. It worked very well even up to the nut through the first fret, which did require a little maneuvering. I used it on my Fender Strat and my Rickenbacker 360/12 which is notorious for its narrow fingerboard. I had no problems. I plan to use the Fast Fret before I play and this device afterwards. That will make a neat 1-2 punch to keep my strings clean and bright. It loses a rating star to me because it should be easier to open. Otherwise, it's a fine product.

I have used the device for a month now and have to say that I am truly amazed by how well it works. Having almost destroyed my neck with other products, I was forced to clean my strings with a cloth or my fingernails, which is nasty. I have been waiting for something like this for a loooong time. It is so easy to use, highly efficient, and it cleans the strings underneath! I also like the fact that you can just clean the microfiber cloth every month or so and then it is brand new again(although, you should really let it dry properly before using it again!). I guess you can probably get around 6 - 8 months out of this little device, which of course saves some good time and money. I think this product will become a must have for all serious guitar players. At least it is for me. Way cool! The String Cleaner - The Ultimate String Cleaning Tool

I'm on the fence with this product. It does its job so no real complaints there, however once applied I feel it may be damaging my frets. I havent seen wear or visible damage but as you run it up the neck of the guitar you hear it hit all the frets. If you apply pressure to keep it from hitting it then pulls the top cleaning pad off, away from the strings causing it not to clean the top. Much more convenient then using a string cleaning cloth though so I'm sticking with this.

This is an interesting approach to an old problem, how to keep your guitar strings from going dead quickly due to finger oils and grime. This product does seem to remove dirt because everytime I use it the pad has black lines in it indicating it is removing dirt. But I'm not convinced this pad is any more effective than a good soft microfiber cloth. Is it an indispensible tool to keep in your guitar case? Not convinced, but it does work as described.

I have been in the music business for over 30 years and this product really works.
Made primarly for 6 string instruments, this little device is so simple anyone can use it.you simply open it up, slip under the strings then close and slide, that's all there is to it, no cleaning soultion needed but can be added if you desire, so far I have not needed any soultion.
Take it from a guitar player in nashville it really does work.

This thing works great for me. I like how it's chemical free, and I've been washing it off regularly and using the same one for a year now, there's only cosmetic knicks to the plastic. It does get tight at the first fret, but I can't imagine anything that wouldn't, so I guess 4 and a half?

The bass version works just as well, and has another pad on the bottom that cleans the fretboard. This is a really good option for anyone leery of getting all sorts of chemicals near their instrument.

I always used a microfibre cloth to work on the string cleaning. The underside of the strings were always were neglected and thats where the corrosion starts. The ToneGear string cleaner is handy and seamlessly does the job. A little thicker cloth would've been a better add. Overall-a must have for players of steel stringed instruments.

First of all as a former touring guitarist and a guitar tech junkie, I have a tool box with every tool you can imagine. I have to say this string cleaner is a must have! I say this because in the long run, it will save you money on strings, save you time with changes, and will keep your strings sounding alive.

Most guitarists don't realize just what they are doing to their strings when they play. You are leaving behind a world of sweat, dead skin, and all kinds of nasty elements. The oils/fluids you leave behind can be very acidic and contain plenty of things that will build up and corrode your strings. I've seen people who change strings every week because the strings keep going dead. I've seen mold and and all kinds of garbage build up on strings so bad I thought a sloth may be living on it. This little tool will prevent that.

I have a routine with mine. Before I play, I run the cleaner over the strings a few times. Whenever I'm done playing I make sure to spray a string cleaner fluid onto the pad and run it over the strings again until I feel they are completely clean. You will not believe the extension of your string life or the quality of sound you will get following these cleaning practices.

Someone has mentioned in their review the fret damage that the string cleaner caused and I too thought about that the first time I used it. I suggest pulling up a little bit so that the cleaner does not touch the frets. Toward the nut where it is hard to get the cleaner in, I just wipe down with a rag. This is a great, cheap, handy little product that all guitarists should keep in their pockets.

It works. Plain and simple. I have a set of Thomastiks on my main guitar, the Jazz 13s with the gold tone unwound 13 and 17, and after a month they're still gold - no tarnish yet. This little tool is well worth the money. If the electric bass version is available, I would strongly encourage bassists to pick it up - you'll stretch out your string life and save cash.