My guitar sounds like shit

[HandsOfDespair]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/317666/guitnoise.wav

What is that high ''squeak" noise? I tried on another guitar and the noise isnt there, so I'm assuming the problem is my guitar.

 

[reg3n]

the.... pick?

 

[Sam Bottner]

the.... pick?

+1

 

[HandsOfDespair]

Am I going crazy

 

[AeternusEternus]

That's the pick bro. Your technique.

Tiny harmonics. Same as if you played an open string and then tapped your left finger on the string right around the fifth fret.

 

[jherman]

Sounds like you're using a RED JAZZ III, or... maybe a penny? haha, try something thinner.

 

[PaoloJM]

Are the pickups on this guitar closer to the strings than your other guitar?
If so then try backing them off a bit.

 

[Melb_shredder]

yeh, tiny accidental pinch harmonics haha! they happen here and there in my songs, but I don't mind, adds a bit of character IMO. But if it's really noticeable... not so good!

 

[P-E]

Listen to Kalmah, their music is full of this kind of pick attack.

Esti c'est rare j't'écris en anglais haha. C'est le pick.

 

[EETFUK]

it could also come from the frets which are slightly touching the strings when you hit them. this can happen when string action is set too low or the truss rod is not adjusted correctly.

 

[HandsOfDespair]

I just noticed that those harmonics ( cause I'm pretty sure its that), become less apparent the more I play next to the bridge. They sound a lot worse if I play between my pickups.

 

[AHChris]

Another good example of massive pick attack noises is the solo in Machine Heads Aesthetics of Hate... Has something unique, though.

 

[AntonioPetrole]

Listen to Kalmah, their music is full of this kind of pick attack.

Esti c'est rare j't'écris en anglais haha. C'est le pick.

completely off topic but.....

i <3 kalmah

 

[006]

Sounds like you're using a RED JAZZ III, or... maybe a penny? haha, try something thinner.

I don't get that at all using the red jazzIII: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/794136/idea.mp3

 

[Lazzari]

I use Jazz III and i dont get that sound... Maybe its the way you are holding the pick against the strings..

I don't get that at all using the red jazzIII: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/794136/idea.mp3

mike that sounds awesome ! What amp did you use for that ??

 

[006]

Thanks dude, Dual Recto > Mesa OS > fredman 2x 57's, and sloppy playing

Don't want to derail HoD's thread though was just trying to make a point.

 

[Notuern]

99% of the people who have this issue seems to hit the string with an angle on the pick, while you should have the pick almost parallel with the string(Small angle is fine.).. it seems to be one of those important basics that people dont tend to think to much about.

This rookie-vid shows how you should hit the strings to avoid unwanted scrapes/harmonics.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

LOL at the video. There's no proper way to use a plectrum... do w/e you need to do to make it sound how you want... JB from august burns red holds his pic inbetween his middle finger and thumb on quite an angle and it seems to be workin for him.
I've used lots of plectrums and I'm currently a fan of the dunlop yellow .73 tortex's
Used to use Dunlop 1mm nylon's (black ones) then switched to Jazz III's as I thought I had my reasons but realized I didn't like them, so back to the dunlop 1mm's then recently I figured id give the tortex .73's a chance as one of my friends had one on him (but no guitar o__O) and I put it in my hand and it really felt good... I'm very picky about tone... I notice a huge difference between a Jazz III and a 1mm nylon and out of a random try I really like these .73 tortexs!

 

[Notuern]

LOL at the video. There's no proper way to use a plectrum... do w/e you need to do to make it sound how you want... JB from august burns red holds his pic inbetween his middle finger and thumb on quite an angle and it seems to be workin for him.
I've used lots of plectrums and I'm currently a fan of the dunlop yellow .73 tortex's
Used to use Dunlop 1mm nylon's (black ones) then switched to Jazz III's as I thought I had my reasons but realized I didn't like them, so back to the dunlop 1mm's then recently I figured id give the tortex .73's a chance as one of my friends had one on him (but no guitar o__O) and I put it in my hand and it really felt good... I'm very picky about tone... I notice a huge difference between a Jazz III and a 1mm nylon and out of a random try I really like these .73 tortexs!

I never said there is a proper way to HOLD a plectrum, but you bet your god damn ass there is a right and wrong way to hit the strings.
You can have a slight angle on the pick, but put just a little bit too much of an angle and you will get unwanted scraping/harmonics and you might end up hitting the strings below the one you are trying to play as well.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

what ever get's a person the sound they want is the right way. people commonly get good results from what you said (as I pick like that too) but just because it's common and works for most people doesn't make another way wrong for someone else...