Eliminating the SQUEEK

  • Thread starter Thread starter sp_clark
  • Start date Start date
S

sp_clark

New member
I am a realatively beginning acoustic guitar player, and have recently been recording some stuff using a BOSS BR1600CD. I am wondering if there are any special techniques to 'lessen' the sound of fingers squeeking across the strings. It seems that I get a LOT of it, and it is annoying, but I am having trouble fixing it. I have the same problem whether directly recording into the recorder, or when mic'ing the guitar. It is a Martin D18 with xtra light strings, and I use an AKG C1000 condender mic

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.

Steve
 
One of the coolest features of Elixir strings is that the coating virtually eliminates the squeak. I use them, and like them very much.
 
you can also use fret/string dressing like ghs fretfast.
it also has to do with your playing. as you play more you'll begin to learn how to manipulate or eliminate things like squeaking
 
I am pretty certain it has MORE to do with my playing than anything else, but I was hoping to find maybe some 'magic' techniques I could apply that would help get me there faster. God KNOWS I play the thing enough.....just hate the sqeak ; - )

Steve
 
The squeak comes from fingertips dragging on the strings as you move them from fret to fret. If you lift the finger off the string, it’ll ring, and that’s worse. That’s why you’ll hear the squeak in even the best guitarists’ playing. If you use coated strings, or put something on them to lubricate the interface between string and fingertip, the squeak is eliminated, just as would be the squeak in the hinge that has been oiled. :cool:
 
Thanks. Yes, I am familiar with (and like) the normal 'squeek' you hear from professional players. Mine is .....shalll we say....LOUDER. I will take your advice and see what kind of results I can muster!

Thanks for the help.
Steve
 
sp_clark said:
Mine is .....shalll we say....LOUDER.
Click to expand...

Yeah, try doing different things when your fingers are moving from one position to another.

Good luck!
 
just soak your fingers in hot water till they are a little softer before recording
you have a hard finger tip from all that playing. so soften them up a little and the racket will deaden a whole lot! also i like to use Dr Ducks AXE WAX its great on strings and does not harm finish so you can polish with it too:) and it cheap for the amount you get in a bottle.....
 
First to APL...Yeah that's a great idea...i think I'll just put my hands in my POCKETS and let someone who can PLAY record the guitar parts! ;-)

To APL and the rest....thanks for all the suggestions. At least I have a few things I can try.

This forum is great!!!!!

Steve
 
sp_clark said:
I am pretty certain it has MORE to do with my playing than anything else, but I was hoping to find maybe some 'magic' techniques I could apply that would help get me there faster. God KNOWS I play the thing enough.....just hate the sqeak ; - )

Steve
Click to expand...

You hit the nail on the head. The only magic technique I know of is to practice and pay special attention to your damping and muting.

A
 
Are you recording the guitar with a close mic tecnique? You could try having the microphone further away, maybe a 2 feet away. If you have two c1000s this would be better as you could use a spaced pair and get a stereo sound by having the two mics a few feet from each another pointing towards the middle of the neck and at the bottom of the neck just next to the hole.
 
I have found that people with the squeek problem don't play the guitar loud enough. It isn't so much that the squeek is really loud, but that everything else is so quiest around it. A lot of people come into the studio with accoustic guitars and they play so quietly that my mics are picking up the players breathing and if he clears his throat, it pegs my meters.
Get rid of the extra light strings too. They are quieter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top