ORIGINAL: Joe Bravo

Chet Atkins used to steal a little grease from the corner of his nose or behind his ear and wipe it across the strings. I've been doing that for years too. Doesn't work so well right after a moring shower though. I do it to lubricate the strings though rather than to stop squeaks. If I want to stop squeaks (which I usually don't) I just let up the grip of my fretting hand as it moves along the fretboard.

The grease from your hair/hairbottom/scalp is maybe even better ... just rub your scalp w/ finger-tips ...

Junski

ORIGINAL: Junski

ORIGINAL: Joe Bravo

Chet Atkins used to steal a little grease from the corner of his nose or behind his ear and wipe it across the strings. I've been doing that for years too. Doesn't work so well right after a moring shower though. I do it to lubricate the strings though rather than to stop squeaks. If I want to stop squeaks (which I usually don't) I just let up the grip of my fretting hand as it moves along the fretboard.

The grease from your hair/hairbottom/scalp is maybe even better ... just rub your scalp w/ finger-tips ...

another benefit is if you tell people that right away they won't ask if they can play your guitar...

I remember hearing a fantastic acoustic guitar player on NPR, and the host commented on how there weren't any squeeks from his strings. The player humbly replied that with the best playing techniques, there aren't squeeks.

MEAnwhile, out here in the Real World--!

James said:

"...I've heard that some people actually ADD IN string squeaks to give them a more 'authentic' sound...........bizarre."

You bet. Us keyboard players do that all the time. In fact, "fret noise" is a Standard Midi sound! Judicious use of a good fret noise sample really helps authenticate a keyboard guitar part.

rbowser

Error posting - see below.

I used to live in a very humid climate and performed almost nightly. I used a little corn starch on my hands. It absorbs all of the moisture and makes it feel very smooth. It doesn't smell and it's inexpensive. Then there's good old Finger Ease for about $4.00. That stuff has been around forever. I used to use it sometimes and had a fretless bass player that used it all the time. Here's a link: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FingerEase/

This is my opinion, so feel free to make fun haha.

I think Joe Blow listening to the tune will not notice the squeaks unless you point them out or unless the person is musically inclined. I have never heard my gf say "gee, that tune has too much highs on the hihats. And man that guitar player needs to use corn oil on his strings!" haha. I know overly squeaky strings can be annoying if not wanted, but for the most part it's part of the guitar sound.

Have you tried La Bella Golden Superior strings?

One technique for squeak elimination, I have been meaning to try, is multiband compression (as daverich suggested). The one thing I would add to this is split the track, to segregate the squeaks into their own clips, then apply the multiband compression only to the squeak clips. Then crossfade between squeak clips and the non-squeak clips, so the compression will be even less noticable.

You can lubricate the strings if you don't mind getting that odd smelling chemical on your fingers and strings but I have had excellent luck using a DeEsser.

Try these........... http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=648