String Squeak

[guitarxan]

Sorry I was busy with work. What great replies and help. The coated string replies ring true bi use Elixers on my other guitars- I will try them next on the Alvarez, I used to use finger ease on my electrics back in the day.... will try it again and yes as I suspected technique and the pronounced treble of a small guitar I sure have something to do with.

[PiousDevil]

Regarding technique, if it helps you to slide on an anchor string between positions try to train yourself to slide on the higher unwound strings

[vindibona1]

Originally Posted by Shuksan

The reason I tried Elixirs for the first time was because a professional finger style player who was going to play my guitars requested them. One of the things she likes about them is reduced squeaks.

I find that Elixirs squeak as much or more than other strings that I will typically use. I don't believe the coating (at least on nanos) make one whit of difference in terms of squeak (at least for me). Until 2 weeks ago my Taylors were strung with Elixirs and I have recognized squeak as a problem and have been working to modify my technique to minimize it. Personally I think it is the player and the instrument more than the strings.

I just tried an experiment with three guitars in rapid order. My 614 is strung with SUS strings and 814 and D35 are currently sporting Gibson Masterbuilt PB's. So I took each guitar and made no effort to contain any squeak. I found that the 614/SUS combination had slightly less squeak than the 814/Gibsons... but the D35 has MUCH MORE prounounced squeak. I think I get less finger squeak with DR Sunbeams, but I don't have any guitars loaded with them right now.

Do they make flatwound strings for acoustics?

I'll go back to what I was saying and recommend a string lubricant to help reduce the friction which beyond hand movement is

[guitarxan]

I played around with my technique a bit last night. I can reduce the squeak some what by lightening up just as I move up the fretboard, it will take some practice to adjust to gain back speed and timing but worth it. I have a heavy grip anyway so probably a good thing.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by guitarxan

I played around with my technique a bit last night. I can reduce the squeak some what by lightening up just as I move up the fretboard, it will take some practice to adjust to gain back speed and timing but worth it. I have a heavy grip anyway so probably a good thing.

This is what I found as well. When I improved my technique and lessened the tension on my grip then I produced less squeak. I also started using Guitar Hands Cleaning Lotion on my hands and calluses (used as directed) and that also helped make my calluses have a more supple feel which lessened the friction on the strings.

Best,
Jayne