Watching Videos-String Squeak?

So you're amazed as to how Dave's rhythm guitar slaps and strums so "perfectly"...but you can't. Ask all things about Dave and his guitars here.

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Geek Rex
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Watching Videos-String Squeak?

Post by Geek Rex »

In watching your video for Grey Street I am not hearing any sqeaking when you are playing the intro although it looks as though you are sliding your fingers on the low strings. Is this an optical illusion? When I try it, my guitar squeaks like hell! Admittedly a newbie to Dave's style of playing (I'm more comfortable with Neil Young's style at the moment technically) can someone provide some pointers or tips?
Thanks
Mike
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Taylor2885
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Post by Taylor2885 »

Squeeking has a lot to do with the type of strings you have and the amount of oil your fingertips have. I play elixir's and they never squeek. Sometimes it has to do with your fretboard, cheaper guitars sometimes squeek more because of the fretboard.
-Ryan-
checkii
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Post by checkii »

also the age of strings.

get some elixer nanowebs and problem is solved.
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Taylor2885
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Post by Taylor2885 »

checkii wrote:also the age of strings.

get some elixer nanowebs and problem is solved.
agreed
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Geek Rex
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Redefining Squeaking

Post by Geek Rex »

I guess maybe I am not explaining it quite right. I was really talking about the noise the wound strings make as you move your fingers across them. I think of that as squeaking versus what you are talking about but I appreciate your comments about the strings. I'll take a look at them. I am playing a Fender acoustic with Martin Acoustic SP Phosphor Bronze Light strings at the moment and for most of my playing it is fine and I really like the sound. But for DMB songs....
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Re: Redefining Squeaking

Post by jsgksu »

Geek Rex wrote:I guess maybe I am not explaining it quite right. I was really talking about the noise the wound strings make as you move your fingers across them. I think of that as squeaking versus what you are talking about but I appreciate your comments about the strings. I'll take a look at them. I am playing a Fender acoustic with Martin Acoustic SP Phosphor Bronze Light strings at the moment and for most of my playing it is fine and I really like the sound. But for DMB songs....
Youre explaining it just fine, we get it, try those strings out and you shouldnt have a squeeking problem. Theyre what I use, no squeeking, great strings.
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Re: Redefining Squeaking

Post by Appfro »

Geek Rex wrote:I guess maybe I am not explaining it quite right. I was really talking about the noise the wound strings make as you move your fingers across them. I think of that as squeaking versus what you are talking about but I appreciate your comments about the strings. I'll take a look at them. I am playing a Fender acoustic with Martin Acoustic SP Phosphor Bronze Light strings at the moment and for most of my playing it is fine and I really like the sound. But for DMB songs....
i play w/ phosphor bronze's too and you're just going to get squeak w/ those. i like squeaks and hate how slippery exlixars are but if you get them, they won't squeak like the PB's will
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Post by Kahn »

I love the squeek. Its part of the acoustic's organic sound IMO
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Post by Appfro »

Kahn wrote:I love the squeek. Its part of the acoustic's organic sound IMO
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Geek Rex
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Post by Geek Rex »

Cool. thanks for the great responses!

Mike
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Post by checkii »

and if you dont want to change strings you can buy that shit, i think its called fast fret. you just rub it up and down the strings real fast and it lubes the strings up and will reduce the squeek.
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Post by Thomas »

my guitar squeeks horribly. I use elixer nanowebs and it didn't make a difference. It's to the point where I won't slide up and down the neck without lifting my fingers to prevent the noise.

it's weird because it even does that with new strings, i think it may be my fingers...
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Taylor2885
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Post by Taylor2885 »

Yeh I used to play with martin's too and they squeeked real bad. I agree with Kahn and a few others, I like a little bit of a squeek cause it really gives it that acoustic sounds, but I have really dry fingers and it was starting to get annoying, so I switched to elixirs. But hey, whatever works for you. As long as you like the sound, that's all that matters.
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Taylor2885
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Post by Taylor2885 »

Jack_M.D. wrote:my guitar squeeks horribly. I use elixer nanowebs and it didn't make a difference. It's to the point where I won't slide up and down the neck without lifting my fingers to prevent the noise.

it's weird because it even does that with new strings, i think it may be my fingers...
Yeh you're fingers might be dry like mine. My don't squeek anymore with my elixir's, but when i played with martin's i used to run my left hand through my hair when i was playing to get that oil on my fingers, kind of sounds weird, maybe a little gross, but it works. They wouldn't squeek as much.

I kind of have the same saying when it comes to guitar and sex: Always lube up. :lol:
-Ryan-
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