how to minimize the "squeaks"

[Fragle]

ok, kind of a newbie question. you all know the squeaking sound when changing positions, especially when using high gain. what can be done to minimize this? i found that new strings and fast fret helps some, but are there any other tricks?

 

[Ermz]

I think it's down to playing technique more than anything. I've never really had a problem, but the transitional 'wchheooww' sound sounds pretty natural to me after a few years of playing guitar

 

[Fragle]

i just re-read my post, and maybe it's a bit confusing. i'm not talking about feedback squeaks, i'm talking about the sound you get by sliding your hand over the strings when changing positions.

 

[STINNETT]

I know it may sound strange, but sometimes if I'm doing a really fast position shift I will still apply a fair amount of pressure to the strings with my fretting hand and you won't hear the "whisk" sound. Basically it boils down to playing technique. That's just one thing that I consciously consider sometimes when I'm hearing too much squeaking in a riff.

 

[Tym_ex]

Technique

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

One way to reduce the sliding noises is to make sure that you're not sliding if you don't need to be, ie don't use your index finger on every single note, instead try to "spring" around the frets whenever possible. This may be obvious to you but it actually took me a while to learn this.

 

[006]

When I record guitars for one of my bands, we move around a ton. One thing I did to lessen the noise from my tracks was to lift my fingers up just enough when moving to where they didn't touch the strings. Now, if you're playing fast stuff, it's going to be difficult to get this down. But it's well worth it. We move around pretty fast, so I had to practice this method quit a bit before getting it just right. Anyway, yes, it boils down to a guitarist's technique. It's not the amount of gain, it's not the amp, the guitar, the strings, anything. It's the hands. Cheers.

~006

 

[006]

By the way, sometimes the sound of your fingers sliding on the strings adds a lot to the atmosphere or feel of a song. There are some things, of course, that the sound just doesn't fit, such as fast metal. But acoustic music, anything epic sounding, and lots of other genres all benefit from it.

~006

 

[Kazrog]

I kind of dig the sound of fingers going across the strings. In fact, I liked that sound in recordings before I started playing guitar at all!

 

[Ermz]

i just re-read my post, and maybe it's a bit confusing. i'm not talking about feedback squeaks, i'm talking about the sound you get by sliding your hand over the strings when changing positions.

That's exactly what I was reffering to.

 

[Sinister Mephisto]

Technique gets rid of it to a certain extent but I don't think the squeaks should be abolished compleatly. They add a certain realness that I like and some people who don't know what they are actually really like them. Like my mother and appearantly, pre-guitarplaying Kazrog.

 

[KeithRT99]

its all technique, but is it really that important to remove that sound? i mean sometimes its nice to hear imperfections in production, it adds character.

 

[Glenn Fricker]

You can try some GHS Fast-Fret or some other kind of string lubricant to start with, that won't get rid of the squeaks completely, but it will help a bit. Mostly, it comes down to technique.
-0z-

 

[TheStoryteller]

100% technique. When we recorded our last album, me and the other guitarist played the same guitars and the same gear. One of us got very annoying squeaks and the other one didn't.

I basically agree with the guys that say it adds character and charm, but only up to a certain degree... if it's too much it's REALLY ANNOYING.

 

[egan.]

You can try some GHS Fast-Fret or some other kind of string lubricant to start with, that won't get rid of the squeaks completely, but it will help a bit. Mostly, it comes down to technique.
-0z-

I second the fast frets recomendation as a quick fix-- you probably aren't going to dramatically improve anyones technique while in the studio.

 

[Vic Rattlehead]

Does anyone have advice for getting rid of pick noise? I play without an amp most of the time, but when I play with an amp the sound of the pick hitting the strings makes me fucking hostile.

 

[TheStoryteller]

Does anyone have advice for getting rid of pick noise? I play without an amp most of the time, but when I play with an amp the sound of the pick hitting the strings makes me fucking hostile.

You have to find a good angle, pick vs string.

 

[Sinister Mephisto]

You have to find a good angle, pick vs string.

Also switching to a smaller pick helps if you've been using a big bulky one.