The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 04-27-2006, 10:59 AM
solarbean solarbean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 994
Default Illness from Coated Strings??

Years ago I worked in high-tech. We used a teflon based vacuum grease. The MSDS noted it as extremely hazardous to smoke when this grease was on your fingers because if it gets on a cigarette and burns, these fumes will make you sick.

I have noticed that when I put on a fresh set of elixirs, the teflon wears off onto my fingers for many days. I don't smoke, but I was wondering if anyone who does smoke has noticed feeling ill after putting on fresh coated strings?
__________________
I came for an answer. I stayed for community.
'Emma' - Martin OMC28 LJ (Adi/EIR), Larrivee Parlor Cutaway (Sitka/EIR), 'Punkin' - Gibson Working Musician WM-00 (Hog/Sitka), Weber Mandola, Coupla Gibson Electrics
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-27-2006, 11:06 AM
Guyute's Avatar
Guyute Guyute is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: California
Posts: 5,712
Default

Nope. But my guess is that the negative health effects of tobacco probably outweigh the miniscule risk associated with string coating.

But aren't Elixirs coated with Gore-tex, not teflon?
__________________
Chris
Official site

That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the clamor of denial. -- Theodore F. MacManus

I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell -- Christopher Walken
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-27-2006, 12:03 PM
flaggerphil flaggerphil is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Florida Space Coast
Posts: 13,718
Default

Nope, it's never happened to me.

And Elixirs are coated with gore-tex.
__________________
Phil

Playing guitar badly since 1964.

Some Taylor guitars.
Three Kala ukuleles (one on tour with the Box Tops).
A 1937 A-style mandolin.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-27-2006, 12:15 PM
FingaStyle FingaStyle is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 94
Default

Gore-Tex is made from the same chemical compounds, perfluorochemicals, used in teflon. As for it making you sick...Who knows. I still use my teflon coated pan...Still here.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-27-2006, 01:13 PM
SoundSeat's Avatar
SoundSeat SoundSeat is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 743
Default

You guys could put a set on, and I could play them. Now, THAT, is guaranteed to make you sick. I seem to achieve the same result with nanos, polys, or ANY other string, for that matter.
__________________
Bretta Baker (J.R. Baker)
http://www.soundseat.com/
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-27-2006, 01:20 PM
retyrd retyrd is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Iowa
Posts: 45
Unhappy

I started playing guitar in 1944 and, my strings have never made me sick, but, I've made a lot of other people sick while using my strings, they call it "Alcohol poisoning".???
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-27-2006, 01:27 PM
Jedd's Avatar
Jedd Jedd is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NC / WV
Posts: 620
Default

Yes. They give me GAS.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-27-2006, 01:43 PM
Folkstrum's Avatar
Folkstrum Folkstrum is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,079
Default

Sorry, but in MY experience, coated strings DO NOT make people sick (or else Elixer and many others would be out of business). Can there be allegies to the coating? I'm sure there can. But there are allegies out there to virtually EVERYTHING--injections, medicines (how many disclaimers do we have to freakin' READ???), the air, the air in your house, water, toilet paper, condoms, foods (Gawd--how many of those??? Peanut butter, wheat, lactose--aaagh!).

Frankly, I'd pay it no mind unless YOU have gone into anaphalatic shock with them.
__________________
"It takes all kinds to make a world...including the kinds who think only their kind belong in it." (unknown)
"Next To the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise." (Martin Luther)


1992 Taylor 855
2000 Deering Sierra

2009 Recording King RD-16SN ~ "utility"
2009 Martin HD-28
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-27-2006, 01:51 PM
DM3MD DM3MD is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 1,842
Default

isn't the coating on Elixirs a form of bees wax? i think it would be pushin' it to say that would be make you ill...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-27-2006, 02:30 PM
YummyPork YummyPork is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 418
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FingaStyle
Gore-Tex is made from the same chemical compounds, perfluorochemicals, used in teflon. As for it making you sick...Who knows. I still use my teflon coated pan...Still here.
I think the danger (of off gassing) comes in at real high temperatures.

So, you'd really have to play pretty hard to get to the point where your strings were dangerous. You'd probably melt your pick before then... and that wouldn't be dangerous - it'd be pretty cool.
__________________
"No point in steering now." - Doug McKenzie

1997 Taylor 514C - stolen 1/12/06 RETURNED 11/12/06
2006 Webber OM - cocobolo/bearclaw sitka

Our adoption blog: Kevin & I-Chwen's Adoption Blog
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-27-2006, 02:53 PM
Teh Teh is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northwest Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 368
Default

I tried smoking Elixirs once, but I couldn't keep 'em lit...

**RIMSHOT**

No Teflon, no bee's wax. Simply Gore-Tex...

It's a house insulator!
It's a Guitar String!
It's BOTH!!!

Don't worry folks -- The more you drink, the funnier I look...
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-27-2006, 06:06 PM
solarbean solarbean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 994
Default

I read this somewhere...
Quote:
Polytetraflouroethylene, or PTFE for short, is best known as Teflon. It's also the coating substance used on W.L. Gore's increasingly successful Elixir Guitar strings.
Dupont speaks of Polymer Fume Fever:
Quote:
In the 40-plus year history of Teflon® non-stick coatings, there have been no reported cases of consumers contracting polymer fume fever or other health effects as a result of in-home normal cooking use. If, however, Teflon® non-stick coatings are allowed to heat to abnormally high temperatures such as 500°F (260°C), the non-stick cookware can emit fumes that may produce a temporary flu-like condition known as "polymer fume fever." This condition seems to require no treatment and has no long-term health effects associated with it. Care should be taken while using any cookware, coated or not, as fumes can occur from abnormal use
I suppose if you rub your elixir-dust against a ciggy and suck in the smoke, you could get a bit sick - but I agree with the earlier post that the cigs are probably worse than the elixir dust.

Apparently if you eat teflon, it passes right through you undigested. Flavoured teflon would make a great diet food!!
__________________
I came for an answer. I stayed for community.
'Emma' - Martin OMC28 LJ (Adi/EIR), Larrivee Parlor Cutaway (Sitka/EIR), 'Punkin' - Gibson Working Musician WM-00 (Hog/Sitka), Weber Mandola, Coupla Gibson Electrics
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-27-2006, 06:07 PM
retyrd retyrd is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Iowa
Posts: 45
Smile

Don't worry folks -- The more you drink, the funnier I look...[/QUOTE]

Actually, it's, The more you drink, the better we sound.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-27-2006, 06:08 PM
Brackett Instruments Brackett Instruments is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Grover NC
Posts: 5,154
Default

I knew it!!!!!!!! Elixir's have been making me sick for some time...........they make my ears bleed
( I don't like coated strings. If you don't like something that I happen to like make a joke about it and I'll laugh, just like you should be laughing now))
__________________
woody b politically incorrect since 1964
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-27-2006, 08:51 PM
Shadco Shadco is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 93
Default

Yep

Elixers definately make me sick but it's quickly cured with a set of Newtones
__________________
Shad
Help is on the way A government team of experts Is a'rushin' to your aid... -- Stephan Stills


Thorn Artisan #154
Thorn Junior 90
PRS DGT
Martin 000-18GE
Weber Diamondback Custom
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:21 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=