Yeah, sounds like yet another tone myth right?
If you play a lot of gigs you know that strings ain't what they used to be. I used to be able to get at least a complete show's worth out of a set, sometimes two. Lately if you can squeeze a long set out of a set you're doing good. And that's with LED lighting - if the place still has the old PARs fuggetaboutit!
Most of my player-grade guitars are have lots of road wear but I do take a cloth with a little lemon oil and wipe down the fingerboards after use to keep the disgusting finger cheeze under control.
So, a little while ago I had just put new strings on before a show and for whatever reason, I grabbed a white paper towel and put some lemon oil on it to wipe the board. To my surprise, the paper towel had black streaks on it from the brand new strings. WTF? So I wiped them from the top and underside and A LOT of black came off them.
That night after the first set when I usually switch out from my Pelham Blue to my Burst the strings on the blue guitar still felt like new! Shiny and clean too. I played the second set on them and they didn't give up at all.
So lately, when I change strings I take a paper towel and fold it a few times to make a thick pad and put some lemon oil on it. Before I install the string I pull it through the paper towel and - you ain't gonna believe how much grimy black stuff comes off of brand new strings! I have to pull each one through at least half a dozen times to get it clean.
And now - they feel and last just like the good ol' days. Good savings too, I was going through about $24 worth of strings every show. Now I'll bet it's under ten bucks.
So, next time you change strings you might want to try it. I'm interested to find other player's results.
Chuck