String squeaks

[KevWind]

Besides all the great (pre) suggestions ,coated strings , finger technique , etc.

After the fact (if using a full featured DAW for recording ) , it is fairly simple to use a narrow Q , single band on an EQ, and go through and manually automate (the bypass) to reduce the loudest part of squeak.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

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

Impossible when you slide/slur notes…even with Elixir Nano (or Poly) strings.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Impossible when you slide/slur notes…even with Elixir Nano (or Poly) strings.

Yes, squeaks can occur when sliding from one note to another on the same string, a glissando. Sometimes, I can reduce the squeak by sliding more towards the edge of my fingertip (the edge towards the thumb) instead of dead center.

[RodB]

Apart from the suggestions already made I also suggest making sure to play with deliberation / intent / strength in the picking hand. It help tone, general signal to noise (background and that inherent in the signal path) ratio and decreases the volume of squeaks relative to the notes played.

BTW, as far as strings are concerned, not all coated are good in this respect Elixirs, yes, but I found EXPs for instance to be worse than uncoated. Fine if you like Elixirs.

[121]

I dislike any amount of string squeak and
flat wound strings are the easiest way to lessen or eliminate string squeak.

Much of my playing style involves fingers pressing down on the strings
and sliding up or down the neck, a string squeak nightmare on any other
strings except flat wounds.

A great sounding string with no string squeak at all are the
80/20 Bronze Flat Wound Dogal Nightclub V25.
The flat wound windings are super smooth on round core.
Dogal Nightclub strings are a pricey, more so than TI Plectrums.

I'd suggest TI Plectrums except there's at least one round wound string
in string set, so string squeak potential exists.

A less costly 80/20 Bronze flat wound string are the
Galli AJF 1047
Galli AJF 1150
Galli AJF 1252
These are 80/20 Bronze flat wound on hex core and have higher tension than the Dogal Nightclub V25.
These Galli 80/20 Bronze flat wound strings don't have quite the super smooth feel as the Dogal Nightclub strings.
Also, the 3rd string (G) in each of the Galli strings sets has a less smooth feel compared to the other flat wound strings
in the set and on occasions I would get minor string squeak from the 3rd string (G).
The other three flat wound strings in each of the string sets were fine and I never experienced any
string squeak from any of the other flat wound strings in the Galli string sets.

The Dogal Nightclub V25 are my preferred flat wound string.
They sound great are low tension and they last longer than others I've tried.
There is absolutely no string squeak.

[phcorrigan]

I have flatwounds on my Gretsch electric and I get no string squeak. As someone else suggested, Dogal acoustic flatwounds might work for you. As another option, D'Addario makes a "flat top" string that is reputed to reduce string squeak, and reportedly some people use them for recording. My understand is that they have a relatively short lifespan, however.

[BKinBWa]

Thank you all for the many great suggestions. I am working more on lifting my fingers between chord changes.
-BKin BWA

[Al Acuff]

If you play a bit louder then the squeaks are quieter by comparison.

Do they still make Finger Ease spray? That can help too.

[Dave Hicks]

I like to think of squeaks as signs of sincerity, kind of like Charley Patton banging his slide against the frets.

D.H.

[rick-slo]

I don't see any plus in squeaks though they can be hard to avoid entirely in some pieces of music.

[DupleMeter]

There's an old studio trick that originated in Nashville to get rid of squeaks:

• Make note of every note and chord that has a finger squeak
• Record each one again at the end of the session, but let each note/chord ring out
• find the point where the new recording matches the level/energy of the original, right at the point of the squeak
• Fly in the long note/chord over the squeak to create a seamless, squeak free, part
• Don't forget to cross fade your edits

That said, I kind of like the squeaks. It makes it feel real. I always felt they added some texture. But, I realize not everyone likes them.

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

I don't see any plus in squeaks though they can be hard to avoid entirely in some pieces of music.

I agree. Not all string squeaks can be prevented, but a lot of this noise can be with careful playing. For me, recordings with too much string squeaking get in the way of the music.

I like DupleMeter's suggestion above as a reasonable fix for when playing technique improvements are not enough to resolve noise issues.

- Glenn

[Dave Hicks]

I just re-recorded something because there was a good-sized skrilllchhh on the intro.

There are a few elsewhere, but the other instruments make them a little less noticeable.

D.H.

[121]

All string squeak can be prevented if you can find the
proper flat wound or flat strings

My acoustic guitars have either Dogal Nightclub V25 80/20 Bronze flat wound or Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF presently installed. As hard as I may try I'm unable to get any string squeak from either brand.

I very recently became aware of the Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF strings. I very impressed with how clear and bright these flat strings sound and they are about half the price of the Dogal Nightclub V25 strings.

Here is a demo of the Magma Flat GA120PBF
and you can hear how squeak free they are.

The video is in spanish, but closed caption can be auto-generated
to your desired language.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by 121

I very recently became aware of the Magma Flat Phosphor Bronze GA120PBF strings. I very impressed with how clear and bright these flat strings sound and they are about half the price of the Dogal Nightclub V25 strings.

I'm currently using Martin Lifespan PBs on my HD-28V. Do you have any comments about how these might compare in tone?

Thanks.