Nylon string squeak! How do I stop it?

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One of Jerry's Kids
I have already checked out some classical forums, and they are no help. The answer I keep getting is to lift your fingers before hitting the next note. I have a bunch of glissando in this piece, so sliding into notes is part of the music. Plus, when I tried doing it, it was easy to realize that changing my technique would not happen overnight or in time for my recording session. The other suggestion was string lubricant, but that didn't work. If anyone has an idea or hack I would appreciate it.

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I have heard of classical players trying dozens of brands of string formulations. It isn't a particular string that works for everyone, which sucks. It is also how it is recorded and the placement and types of the microphones which can de-emphasize the squeaking. To some extent, it is the sound of the instrument (like the clicking of the keys on a clarinet), but with some pieces, you are gonna squeak.
 
It is technique, I'm afraid. Since those wound strings in particular can be awfully squeaky, making micro-adjustments in one's playing is something people spend years perfecting, focusing on pressing down and lifting fingers at just enough at the right moment etc. It's also therefore about distributing one's notes appropriately, as it were, so you're not creating a lacuna in the note duration because you lift too soon or something. It's a journey perfecting this!

The calluses on your fingers may also determine the level of noise, therefore seeing where on your fingertips the noise is most egregious, and changing accordingly depending on the musical passage. Some parts of those Villa-Lobos suites are notorious, for example, you got these diminished shapes which go up and down the neck and the index finger is fretting notes on the D string - noise potential bonanza. Maybe for such a passage, using more of the pad of the fingertip would help in eliminating noise, without needing to lift too much which would inhibit the speed of the transitions.

As Dave says, string noise is part of the instrument, and keeping it at bay requires some consideration.
 
A lot of mix engineers will use a de-esser to minimize string squeaks (and they can do a pretty damn gold job at it), but only so much can be done there; mic placement and technique come first.
 
I went to the acoustic guitar forum and got some great advice on strings and lubricants. There are some pre-polished nylon sets that are virtually noiseless. The downside is they are more expensive and do not last as long. I have a set sitting on my desk right now and as you can imagine I am not in any rush to put on a set of tie-ons. If they work I will be all set and will change them out right before the studio. After that they will be on the guitar for the next ten years unless I use the guitar again in the studio. .
 
I get it. I hate changing strings on my nylon. It is a stupid system kept there by traditionalists.
 
if youre going to record, i would swap now. some classical sets take a fair amount of time to settle in and hold tune properly

We are probably not starting until May or June. The piece is about a minute long, with no heavy strumming. I will put on the strings early, but I am not too worried about tuning stability.
 
You can buy locking nylon "Nyloc" tuners special order from Schaller. Combine that with buying ball-end nylon tuners and the problem is gone. The downside is that I can't find any ball end nylon strings that I like the sound of.

As for squeaky nylon strings, maybe take a different approach: try to make the strings squeak as loud and frequently as possible so you can isolate the source of what causes it. My guess is either you have your finger tips at the wrong angle or you are fretting with to bony a part of your finger, but depending on the rest of your technique it could really be anything.
 
You can buy locking nylon "Nyloc" tuners special order from Schaller. Combine that with buying ball-end nylon tuners and the problem is gone. The downside is that I can't find any ball end nylon strings that I like the sound of.

As for squeaky nylon strings, maybe take a different approach: try to make the strings squeak as loud and frequently as possible so you can isolate the source of what causes it. My guess is either you have your finger tips at the wrong angle or you are fretting with to bony a part of your finger, but depending on the rest of your technique it could really be anything.

Yeah, the ball-end nylon strings are generally terrible and sound worse. But I think the bridge and strings need to be re-designed for this century. I have had no luck researching Nyloc though...
 
I suppose there would be quite a market and it wouldn't be too tough to implement a nonpermanent modification to a classical guitar to clamp the strings so they don't fall out the bridge.
 
I am interested in them too. I wish there was a better picture as their description isn't great. If you do order them, I'd love a review.
 
I'm not sure what the benefit of those Sperzel tuners would be since a nylon string is stretching along its whole length; so even if you pull it taut and lock it down, as soon as you start winding to pitch, the stretch and you end up with some wraps on the post.

Similarly, there is no such benefit to ball end nylon strings, just quicker stringing.

With bridges, many makers now put a 12 hole one on their guitars. They also generally provide a better break angle behind the saddle.
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With a traditional bridge, it's also possible to buy specially made beads which simulate the above.
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Similarly, there is no such benefit to ball end nylon strings, just quicker stringing.

That's all it is. There's no reason that classical guitars need to have the same stringing mechanism for 100s of years.
12 hole bridges are very useful on account of not having to tie any knots on the bridge. I can't find a picture, but if you tuck the the excess of the string not only under the string itself, but the string to the left of it too, you don't have to put knots in tbe treble strings. I'll post a picture if I remember to when I get back to my classical guitar.
 
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