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  #1  
Old 02-20-2021, 11:56 AM
BKinBWa BKinBWa is offline
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Default String squeaks

Does anybody have any suggestions for eliminating, or at least reducing acoustic guitar string squeaks on a recording? I don't mind a little (makes it sound more "authentic", I guess), but I'm wondering if there is a way to tone it down some.
-BKinBWA
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Old 02-20-2021, 12:01 PM
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cliff_the_stiff cliff_the_stiff is offline
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I have heard of folks lightly dragging a candle over the top surface of the wound strings.
Maybe trying flatwound strings.
Alter your technique.
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Old 02-20-2021, 12:28 PM
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I like Elixir Nano strings.
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Old 02-20-2021, 12:31 PM
sdelsolray sdelsolray is offline
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Three mitigation tools:

1) Learn to lift your left hand fingertips away from the strings when shifting positions.

2) Use strings that are less prone to squeaking, e.g., coated, flatwound, polished.

3) Use sound processing software that can mitigate the squeaks, e.g., deesser, Izotope RX.
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Old 02-20-2021, 12:34 PM
nickv6 nickv6 is offline
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Lightly run VERY fine sandpaper over the strings from the nut to tenth fret.
Nick
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Old 02-20-2021, 02:08 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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The only way I have ever been able to remove string squeaking from my playing is by lifting my fingers off wound strings when I move up or down the fretboard. Leaving one's fingers on the strings while moving will always cause noise unless lubricant is used. It's true that Elixir strings can help, but the easiest and least expensive solution is to lift your fingers.

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Old 02-20-2021, 02:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glennwillow View Post
The only way I have ever been able to remove string squeaking from my playing is by lifting my fingers off wound strings when I move up or down the fretboard. Leaving one's fingers on the strings while moving will always cause noise unless lubricant is used. It's true that Elixir strings can help, but the easiest and least expensive solution is to lift your fingers.
- Glenn
Certainly helpful where it fits in however plenty of times you want to keep the fingers in contact for a slide note or at least for
a more legato sound. Squeak tendency partially related to moisture level of your fingertips. Soaking fingers can help temporarily.
Coated strings are effective more consistently.
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Old 02-20-2021, 04:36 PM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
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I switched to Elixirs many years ago and my problem with squeaky strings disappeared, along with frequent string changes and inconsistent tone over the time between string changes.

I used Elixir Polywebs when they were the only thing available and switched to Nanos when they were introduced.
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Old 02-20-2021, 04:39 PM
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Moist finger tips, pick up as much as possible and software with decent editing and repairing tools. I use Izotope's Rx 7 Standard which I got on sale as an upgrade from Rx 7 Elements.
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Old 02-20-2021, 04:48 PM
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The Elixer nano PB strings, I've found do help, but as Glenn has stated, lifting your fingers on the wound strings brings a lot of relief.
I currently have a tune which uses a slide up several frets on one string and the squeaking has really bothered me. I discovered if I change my finger position for that one move, I can calm things down a lot. In my case it involves rolling that finger slightly toward my nail on the very top part of the finger that doesn't get used and perhaps has more moisture. Works on both nano and non Elixers, but requires focus!
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Old 02-20-2021, 04:55 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rick-slo View Post
Certainly helpful where it fits in however plenty of times you want to keep the fingers in contact for a slide note or at least for
a more legato sound. Squeak tendency partially related to moisture level of your fingertips. Soaking fingers can help temporarily.
Coated strings are effective more consistently.
I see your point Derek. If a person is creating a moving note by sliding across a fret on a wound string there is no way to lift fingers and create the legato effect. And without TFE coated Elixir strings, that effect is going to create string squeak.

Playing where that legato situation is more likely to occur might lead an instrumental player towards Elixir strings.

- Glenn
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Old 02-20-2021, 06:10 PM
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Thomastik Infeld Plectrum strings have been the least squeaky strings I have tried and I love their tone and feel. Especially good for fingerstyle.
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Old 02-20-2021, 07:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
Thomastik Infeld Plectrum strings have been the least squeaky strings I have tried and I love their tone and feel. Especially good for fingerstyle.
Any string that gets us less squeak is a good thing!
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  #14  
Old 02-20-2021, 07:46 PM
runamuck runamuck is offline
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Elixer Nano strings and keep the mics away from the fretting hand.
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  #15  
Old 02-20-2021, 11:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sdelsolray View Post
3) Use sound processing software that can mitigate the squeaks, e.g., deesser, Izotope RX.
You can use spectral editing for this. It's built into some DAWs like Reaper. It is a manual process, but sometimes is your best bet if you have a few squeaks that really stick out.
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