fret noise, how to reduce

[daddymac]

this is a small question, I'm only a rank amateur.

How do the pros keep the fret noise down when changing from one chord to the next?

thanks

[ermghoti]

When you say "changing from chord to chord," it makes me suspect you are talking about string noise (sqeeek!).

In either case, the answer is about the same: practice. A better player is releasing and fretting sharply, quickly, and accurately, and playing with a degree of confidence or authority, such that the intended sounds (chords, notes, music) are much louder than unintentional sounds (squeaks, clicks).

[ez_willis]

If it is the squeaks you're talking about, try Elixirs, especially if it's on an acoustic guitar.

[travelin travis]

The moisture content in your hands, age of the strings, and mic placement, if your recording, can have an effect on string noise. For me, new strings, dry hands, and micing close to the fretboard are all noisier.

[Outlaws]

Its 100% skill. There are no substitutes.

[travelin travis]

Originally Posted by ez_willis

If it is the squeaks you're talking about, try Elixirs, especially if it's on an acoustic guitar.

Ewwww! Get some real strings my man!

[lpdeluxe]

Even so, there are times when the atmospheric conditions (or the phase of the moon) bring out the Squeaks. Try rubbing your fingertips on your nose to pick up the oil (of course, if you're not the guitar player, substitute "tell the guitar player to rub his/her fingers on his/her nose"); talcum powder or corn starch, which are slightly messy but don't leave glop on the strings; or record in a (quietly) air-conditioned space.

Some software (Adobe Audition 1.5 and later) allow you to zero in on the squeaks after the fact and eliminate them, but that's a last resort.

[hrwmusic]

Originally Posted by TravisinFlorida

Ewwww! Get some real strings my man!

Aw man, what are you talking about.

Those things are amazing!

[travelin travis]

Originally Posted by hrwmusic

Aw man, what are you talking about.

Those things are amazing!

I hate the brand new string sound. Elixirs always sound like they're new. That's why I hate them.

[Outlaws]

Originally Posted by hrwmusic

Aw man, what are you talking about.

Those things are amazing!

They are amazing in that people pay $20 for a set of already dull guitar strings.

[travelin travis]

Originally Posted by Outlaws

They are amazing in that people pay $20 for a set of already dull guitar strings.

They sound too jangly too me.

[Outlaws]

Originally Posted by TravisinFlorida

They sound too jangly too me.

?

Did they change something? I admit it has been a few years since I played them.

[travelin travis]

Originally Posted by Outlaws

?

Did they change something? I admit it has been a few years since I played them.

I just played a guitar today that had them (I did'nt notice until I strummed a chord). Damn it! I put it right back. It's like looking under a skirt and finding a set of balls. Ewww!

They've always sounded like new strings to me, sort of. Jangly with kind of a piezo pickup sound.

[ibanezrocks]

Originally Posted by TravisinFlorida

I just played a guitar today that had them (I did'nt notice until I strummed a chord). Damn it! I put it right back. It's like looking under a skirt and finding a set of balls. Ewww!

They've always sounded like new strings to me, sort of. Jangly with kind of a piezo pickup sound.

Mine always sounded dull, I like the sound of week old slinkies, and IMO the elixirs brand new are more dull sounding than that.

[nicolaad30]

I love the way new strings sound... old or used strings work pretty well for jazz players... not for rockers I guess...

[Light]

Originally Posted by ez_willis

If it is the squeaks you're talking about, try Elixirs, especially if it's on an acoustic guitar.

Well, yeah, but they sound like shit in the first place, so why bother.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

[ez_willis]

Lot of whining about Elixirs but nothing coming in the way of recommendations.

And it seems stunning to me that people don't like the sound of new strings.

I'll offer my services. Anytime you guys want, send me your new strings so I can break them in for you.

[Clive Hugh]

Originally Posted by TravisinFlorida

I just played a guitar today that had them (I did'nt notice until I strummed a chord). Damn it! I put it right back. It's like looking under a skirt and finding a set of balls. Ewww!

They've always sounded like new strings to me, sort of. Jangly with kind of a piezo pickup sound.

Never had that happen to me, maybe you should be careful about what skirt you put your hand under.

[tarnationsauce2]

Round-wound, or Elixers, and/or some fretboard polish will help.

[Armistice]

Try soaking your hands in warm water for 30 seconds before a take - it softens the calloused skin a little and makes it less likely to catch on the string..

It works, trust me, I used to have all sorts of issues recording acoustic fingerstyle guitar, and this helped a lot. Along with lots of practice...

Cheers

[mx_mx]

I noticed string squeaks in one of Jack Johnson's most recent songs. It pisses me off but I get the feeling he was trying to do it. Sounds like shit to me

[rushofblood]

flatwounds can help that.

[travelin travis]

Originally Posted by mx_mx

I noticed string squeaks in one of Jack Johnson's most recent songs. It pisses me off but I get the feeling he was trying to do it. Sounds like shit to me

I really don't mind hearing some string noise. I suppose it depends on what your shooting for in a recording though.

[DogFood]

to answer the thread...I agree with skill as the numero uno answer. I play the chords in a loop until I get it right and sometimes lasts for an entire practice sitting.

speaking for the rockers, GHS Boomers new out of the package first playing are the gold standard. I put a new set on before any show as even day olds I tend to break performing, blame Murphy.

[Light]

Originally Posted by ez_willis

Lot of whining about Elixirs but nothing coming in the way of recommendations.

And it seems stunning to me that people don't like the sound of new strings.

The solution is technique. Nothing else will do it. When your not freting, you shouldn't be touching the string. (Unless your muting, but that is a whole other thing.)


As to the sound of new strings, I LOVE the sound of new strings. That's why I hate Elixirs. They NEVER sound like new strings. They suck. Sure they sound the same for a long time, but they always sound like shit so why would I want to spend twice as much on them.

If you want strings which last longer, then you should try D'Addario EXP's. Because D'Addario actually makes their own strings (Elixir doesn't, they buy them from one of the big string manufacurers and just dip them in that crap) they can coat them before they are wound, so they actually sound very close to real strings. They still cost twice as much, though, so I still don't know that they are worth it.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi