Strings squeak…any remedies?

[dane]

Strings squeak…any remedies?

I did a quick search on this forum and really didn’t find much besides a few string recommendations. Does anyone here have any tricks of the trade to reduce finger squeak when playing? Yes I know it sounds good in some songs, but there are times it can just be a nuisance (IMHO).

 

[taabru45]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Play slide. :lol: :lol: :lol: Hey, just tryin' to be helpful. Steffan

 

[JerryR]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Stop doing clever stuff like barre and such down the neck Doesn't happen to me 'cos I'm not a proper guitarist :mrgreen:

 

[dane]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Play slide. :lol: :lol: :lol: Hey, just tryin' to be helpful. Steffan

Steffan, my finger slide just makes the squeak worse! :roll: :lol:

 

[dane]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Stop doing clever stuff like barre and such down the neck Doesn't happen to me 'cos I'm not a proper guitarist :mrgreen:

Jerry, here in Wisconsin we don’t call them barre chords but tavern chords. :mrgreen:

 

[GAD]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Elixer coated strings dampen the squeak some, but many hate them.

Flatwounds dampen the squeak, but many hate them.

Sorry - that's all I've got.

 

[taabru45]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Play slide. :lol: :lol: :lol: Hey, just tryin' to be helpful. Steffan

Steffan, my finger slide just makes the squeak worse! :roll: :lol:

Dane, that wasn't a squeak.......that was an EEEEK,,,,,,,, or maybe a Yikes.......or maybe even a DANG...... :lol: Steffan

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

There is a product called fast fret that will help.
It also cleans the strings.
I have used it off and on for over 20 years.

 

[cjd-player]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

If I'm doing an intentional slide, I can sometimes move my finger to fret with the soft pad rather than the hard callous at the tip. Then the slide is not squeeky. But this technique is limited.

String squeek is just a part of playing. You hear it on recordigs from the greats like Chet, Doyle Dykes, and Phil Keaggy. And even on classical guitar recordings.

I wouldn't sweat it too much.

 

[Jeff]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

If I'm doing an intentional slide, I can sometimes move my finger to fret with the soft pad rather than the hard callous at the tip.......
.........I wouldn't sweat it too much.

I've been hearing the same problem on my recordings. Trying different techniques to reduce the screech. Not particularly successfully.

My callouses get pretty thick, & roughed up, it helps to take the wife's nail care tools & carve off the callouses & polish up a bit.

2nd thing I've been trying is sliding on the unwound strings, or the G string, it's wound pretty light & slides with less noise.

Mostly I think it's the touch. I ain't quite got it just yet, find myself squeezing the neck like a baseball bat down at the batting cage. 40 yr old habits die slow.

Smitty plays for hours, daily, virtually no callouses & has pointed it out to me many times.

.

 

[killdeer43]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Tone "Finger Ease" by Chem-pak, Inc. is a string lubricant that I use on occasion with good results. Spray and wipe and play. Easy enough!

Joe

 

[A Song In Your Hands]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Maybe I am old school, but I rub my strings with wadded up newsprint, especially if it has been a while since I played that particular guitar. Cleans them up real good, dresses the frets, overall good stuff. Learned if from an old black friend of mine.

 

[dane]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Maybe I am old school, but I rub my strings with wadded up newsprint, especially if it has been a while since I played that particular guitar. Cleans them up real good, dresses the frets, overall good stuff. Learned if from an old black friend of mine.

VERY COOL! Thank you Song. I love learning some of the “old school ways” and often find that not only are they simple and resourceful, but also work well to boot. I’m going to give that one a try. Even if the strings still squeak, it’s a neat way to keep them and the frets clean. Thanks again and my hats off to you and your friend.

 

[A Song In Your Hands]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Hi Dane,

If you try the newprint, just be careful and don't mess anything up on a beautiful guitar! I've never had a problem, but I would hate for you to ruin any MOP or inlays.

Best,
Mike

 

[dane]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

Hi Dane,

If you try the newprint, just be careful and don't mess anything up on a beautiful guitar! I've never had a problem, but I would hate for you to ruin any MOP or inlays.

Best,
Mike

Understood. Thanks again.

 

[valleyguy]

Re: Strings squeak…any remedies?

My wife couldn't stand it when I played as the string squeak made her cringe. After some practice, I now raise my finger ever so slightly off the string as I move up and down the fretboard to eliminate the squeak. Took some practice, but it's become natural to me now.

String squeak is a particular problem for electric guitar players that move to acoustic, as electrics don't pick up the squeak.

I think your better performers try to eliminate string squeak, especially if you add reverb to the sound it really accentuates it.