String Whistle

[BUNZ]

This question may have been addressed before, but your input would be valued. I just recently re-strung my classical guitar. The string whistle is extremely pronounced. I did a gig tonight and could not relax into my playing as the three bass strings were sensitive to sustain etc because of the string whistle. Is there anything I can do, apart from playing the strings in, to minimize or remove the string whistle?

[mr. beaumont]

Take a candle and gently rub it over the strings.

Too much squeak is a technique issue.

[BUNZ]

That is what is perplexing. On my previous set of strings no string whistle at all - in fact I haven't experienced it to be this problematic before.. Please say more about how technique impacts on this. It does not really make sense in this instance.

[fazool]

Can you explain more.

I've, sincerely, never heard of string whistle.

Is it a nylon string issue only?

Is it the strings moving through air make a whistling sound outside the soundboard vibration?

[Garthman]

Originally Posted by fazool

. . . . I've, sincerely, never heard of string whistle. . .

I'm assuming the OP is referring to string "squeak", viz. the sound produced when you slide a fingertip up or down the string.

To the OP: As Mr Beaumont said - it can be down to playing technique. However, if you do tend to slide when playing - and I must admit I tend to do so too - you can solve the problem by using sets with polished basses. These are normal roundwound strings that have been ground and polished to flatten the surface of the string thereby reducing squeak.

Try a set of La Bella 900 strings:

http://www.stringsandbeyond.com/labegosuclgu.html

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Garthman

I'm assuming the OP is referring to string "squeak", viz. the sound produced when you slide a fingertip up or down the string.

OK, that might make more sense. I would never think of it (or ever heard of it) as a "whistle" sound so it perplexed me.

[Dogsnax]

Originally Posted by fazool

OK, that might make more sense. I would never think of it (or ever heard of it) as a "whistle" sound so it perplexed me.

On this side of the pond, we call it string "squeak"