squeeky squeeeek squeek - strings that go squeek in the night

aja

Concerning my steel string acoustic:

I recently got D'Addario EXP coated strings after having trouble adjusting to the snotty feel of Elixir polywebs.
Both sets were 12's

After playing the elixirs, which felt like they were made from the nose hairs of one very sick flu patient, it was a welcome transition to the more traditional feel of the D'Addario EXP's. I thought this is great since they are also coated.

HOWEVER - I can't get used to them. They have been on for two weeks. The sound seems overall a bit brighter than the Elixirs, which is good.

This all means nothing though, since they SQUEEK! You know, when you move/slide over the strings with your fingers touching them. I happen to like that sound - it gives the steel string player something extra to work with. But with the D'Addario it is unavoidable to the point that I am going to take off these strings before their graduation day.

Opinions? Common experience anyone?

P.S. It must be noted that my favourite strings by far are the D'Addario phosphor bronze or 80/20 but I decided to experiment a bit... Next on the list is Elixir nanoweb. Already tried DR - hated the tone of every pack I ever bought.

Fingerpicker

Elixir nanos are the only way to go. I use 11's on the Taylor and 12's on the two Larrivees. The polys shred very quickly. Elixirs are not sqeaky strings but I do slip off the string when bending occasionally. The tone lasts forever. I play about 2 hours/day and keep the strings on for about 6-8 months, usually changing before an important gig.

Bob-Dubery

I'd concur with Fingerpicker. There are two kinds of coated Elixir strings - polyweb and nanoweb. The polyweb, which you were using, are the original Elixir covered strings, and the coating is very thick. The nanowebs have a much thinner coating and thus a different feel.

The squeak comes from the movement of the fingers on the wound strings. I use nanowebs and don't have a major problem with squeaking. However I do wonder if the coating hasn't made my hand a little lazy and that if I went to totally uncoated strings I'd find I had a problem in my left-hand and would have to adjust.

I believe there is a difference in the way that the Elixir's and D'Addarios are coated. With D'Addario they coat the wire and then used the coated wire to wrap the strings. With Elixirs the string is wrapped as usual and then coated. So the Elixirs will be a little smoother to the touch, and should be less squeaky.

If you really want to be as squeakproof as possible then revert to polyweb and accept the feel of those as the tradeoff.

Bob-Dubery

zohn wrote: I like Cleartone's coateds as well as DR's, but I love my EXP's (phosphor bronze) - in fact got a new shipment from Elderly yesterday in Bluegrass gauge.
I think technique plays a large role in making squeek work for you. The EXP's certainly don't squeek more than uncoated strings of the same design.

If I read this correctly you are getting coated DR strings. Where?

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Fingerpicker wrote: Elixir nanos are the only way to go.

+1 Nano are great strings, last forever.. Polywebs are absolute rubbish and nobody I know likes them, cant believe they even still in production...

zohn wrote: I like Cleartone's coateds as well as DR's, but I love my EXP's (phosphor bronze) - in fact got a new shipment from Elderly yesterday in Bluegrass gauge.

+1 On EXPs. great strings, I enjoy playing with them, not my favorite however, I don't have string squeaks with them however.... interesting ???
Im using EXPS at the moment, had to buy them at $2 a set from Elderly ?

-1000 on the Cleartones! I hate them ? I bought 3 sets from Elderly and couldn't wait to finish, in fact the last set I had on for 2 weeks and threw them in the dustbin... hated hated hated them!!! They don' sound or feel right to me, and the one set actually came out the packet with a kink... not something you expect... I was so disappointed with them after I had to call the bank and ask them to release an investment to buy those 3 sets... ? Yes they are ridiculously expensive!

I want to try those Pyramid strings from Germany, I hear lots of good things about them... pricey too however.

My all time favorites the king of strings have to be those from Dean Markley, the Alchemy range, brilliant, simply the best imo

Bob-Dubery

zohn wrote: Yep, I have 4 or 5 Medium gauge sets left from a previous order - they aren't available in Blue grass.

Cool! I like DRs but the uncoated sets you get here don't last very long at all. I always think they feel and sound fab for about 2 days and then that's it. If I were changing strings every day I'd be putting on DRs for sure, but I need something that will last a bit longer.

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zohn wrote:
Brentcgp wrote:
+1 On EXPs. great strings, I enjoy playing with them, not my favorite however, I don't have string squeaks with them however.... interesting ???
Im using EXPS at the moment, had to buy them at $2 a set from Elderly ?

? You are kidding right?

No they where on special a while back, buy one get one free and one was marked @ $5 or $6 so yeah, I bought 20.... ? Cant get through them!!! ?

Maybe $3 a set? It was ridiculous none the less...