Ahhh nothing like a fresh set of strings

[Stymie]

Back when I couldn't afford new strings I used to clean them with a tennis shoe lace soaked in rubbing alchohol. Just wrap the shoe lace completely around the string so you can grab both ends and pull on them to make it tight on the string. Then just slide it up and down the string to clean it. Soak in more rubbing alchohol and use a different section of the shoe lace as needed. Works pretty well, and no need to take the strings off.

Edit:
The rubbing alchohol can dry out your fretboard so follow up with lemon oil (under the strings) to combat the effects.

[beauzeau]

Mickey, when you try Elixirs, try the 'custom light' set. The custom lights are a hybrid between lights and mediums. The wound strings are from a set of 10s, and the unwound strings are 9s. This is what I've used exclusively for the last couple of years, though I have to get them online because I've only seen them in one music store locally. These are great because you get the beefiness of the heavy strings for the power chords and whatnot, and the slinkyness of the lighter strings for bending.

I agree that the locking tuners are nice. I had them on an old 442r Ibanez that I had. It used the locking tuners INSTEAD of the locking nut. So there was no 'wind' on the post. I don't like that nowadays though. Because I use the whammy alot when I play, I've always broken strings. For some reason, when a string breaks on my Ibanez, it ALWAYS breaks right at the point where the string makes contact with the bridge. So basically, it breaks off about 1/4" of string. I just loosen the string up a bit, reattach it at the bridge, and I'm playing again. It never takes me more than 30 seconds to fix a broken string, and with the life that these Elixirs have in them, it comes in really handy.

[beauzeau]

Stymie, that reminds me of a new product I saw a commercial for the other day. It's a plastic device that opens and closes and has cleaning cloth on both sides of it. You open it, and snap it closed over your strings, then just slide the thing up and down the fingerboard, and your strings are clean! You gotta love ideas that are so simple, but take forever for anyone to think of!

[cwight]

I can't believe that people get so wound up about strings.... I'll get my coat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfJAHASV8k8

[GuitarSlinger]

I Like DR handwound strings. #10

I also really liked these too while I was using them, outstanding quality and pre-stretched. Price was a little higher than others but you get what you pay for.

[solone1]

I can't believe that people get so wound up about strings.... I'll get my coat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfJAHASV8k8

Yeah, they are all strung-out on this topic..

[Wizzelteats]

Stymie, that reminds me of a new product I saw a commercial for the other day. It's a plastic device that opens and closes and has cleaning cloth on both sides of it. You open it, and snap it closed over your strings, then just slide the thing up and down the fingerboard, and your strings are clean! You gotta love ideas that are so simple, but take forever for anyone to think of!

That's called "The String Cleaner" I got one... it's great. I have the 'acid hands' and the climate down here doesn't help at all. I used to change sets at least once every two weeks. Then I started using Finger Ease and the string cleaner in tandem and voila! I still have to change strings way more than I should but while I'm still doing it island style this is a nice little work around. Oh, it's Long & McQuade store brand (I had to switch to the cheapies, but I've come to like them) light top heavy bottoms for my strats and LP, 10's for my Dot Studio. New string time is happy time.