Squeaky guitar strings

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meadowman
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2005/12/23 18:18:25 (permalink)

Squeaky guitar strings

I have a section where I slide up the neck (acoustic steel string guitar) and the strings squeak really bad. I didn't really notice until later playing it back in my car. I can use a nylon string guitar here but it's not the sound I'm looking for.

Has anybody solved this? I tried putting on gardening gloves, but two problems: 1) still squeaked and 2) turns out you really can't play guitar with gloves on.
#1

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    joeh20_444
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/23 18:32:07 (permalink)
    I've really never seen a solution for it. Maybe use different strings. Elixers and such squeak more for me, Martin SP's are what I'm using now and the squeak isn't that bad. Really, it's an acoustic. Acoustic's squeak, that's just what they do.

    Joe
    #2
    bargainboy1
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/23 18:32:44 (permalink)
    Take some bar soap and lightly soap the wound strings. Record. Then, change the strings. Don't leave soaped strings on your guitar - the soap will eventually dry out the wood (think of wooden kitchen items that get washed a lot).

    Jeff
    #3
    joeh20_444
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/23 18:34:16 (permalink)
    Or just play air guitar. Mine hasn't squeaked at all yet.
    #4
    millerbill
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/23 19:22:45 (permalink)
    In the olden days the squeak was what told us that there was a human behind the axe.

    It's part of some of the most classic tunes in rock, folk, classical (try Segovia (who?) and other modes of music.

    Unless it sounds like a car alarm on Sunday morning, why fix it?
    It's good to be real. It doesn't happen much anymore.
    post edited by millerbill - 2005/12/23 19:26:01
    #5
    joeh20_444
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/23 23:39:08 (permalink)
    Segovia


    There's a name you just don't hear anymore. I think every guitarist here should at least know what this guy did for the instrument (defined it, really). Alright, off the soapbox. millerbill, I agree. Let the thing squeak. If it sounds like that car alarm, leave it in as an effect...

    Joe
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    fixerman
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/24 04:33:23 (permalink)
    Try spraying on some "Finger Ease guitar string lubricant". It really works for me. Play faster and Quieter. Available at your favorite music stores.
    #7
    meadowman
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    RE: Squeaky guitar strings 2005/12/24 11:05:10 (permalink)
    Thanks all. I agree to a certain extent that a little bit of squeak is ok - but this was very distracting, like fingernails on a chalkboard after a while.

    The solution seems to be some sort of oil or soap - I sprayed on some guitar polish. This worked, but very messy and ----oily.

    I will try the bar of soap next time or go out and get some 'Finger Ease'.
    #8
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