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  #1  
Old 06-08-2015, 05:37 PM
Yamaha Man Yamaha Man is offline
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Default Polyweb strings get rid of squeaking strings..

I had a fairly new set of Martin LifeSpan strings which were driving me crazy with their squeaking...somebody suggested Polywebs and yep they worked, got rid of the squeaking on my recordings... here's a before and after sample...


Before...with LifeSpan...

http://www.soundclick.com/player/sin...&q=hi&newref=1


After...with Polywebs....

http://www.soundclick.com/player/sin...&q=hi&newref=1
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Old 06-08-2015, 05:47 PM
Amite Amite is offline
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The links aren't working for me, but I have a question. Do strings squeak more as they get older? I don't know why they would.
I put some Martin strings on my Alvarez a while back, and they squeak just when I take my finger off. I don't remember now if they did that at first.
I don't think the D'Addarios were that bad.
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Old 06-08-2015, 06:02 PM
Yamaha Man Yamaha Man is offline
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I don't know if they do or not, my LifeSpans weren't that old maybe a month or so...but while making demo recordings the squeaking really got obnoxious to my ears....they have a nice rich tone but the squeaking was driving me nuts.

So now I'm gonna have to re-set my EQ for the best sound out of the Elixers.

ps..the links work for me.
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Old 06-08-2015, 06:29 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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Interesting, I took some D'Addario EXP strings off my baritone guitar and replaced them with Martin Lifespans and I found them very squeaky too.
I'll be going back to D'Addario EXP's next string change, Elixir just too slippery.
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Old 06-08-2015, 06:32 PM
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Give Elixir Nanos a try also.
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Old 06-08-2015, 06:42 PM
Amite Amite is offline
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The Soundclick link takes me to a blank page. Maybe it is an iPad thing.

Ok so it isn't my imagination. I have been playing another guitar lately so I think I forgot how squeaky these strings are. I can't stand it. I pull my finger off of any wound string, and it makes a noise that make my ears bleed.

Back to the D'Addario customs.
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Old 06-08-2015, 06:50 PM
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madhat madhat is offline
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Agree Martin Lifespans for me = stiff and squeky... Sound nice enough otherwise though.

I have stuck with EJ16 strings- still some squeak but but I like the feel and sound otherwise. I may go ahead and give Elixers another try at some point.

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Old 06-08-2015, 09:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rick-slo View Post
Give Elixir Nanos a try also.
Yup....the Nanos are quiet and durable and very tonally balanced.
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Old 06-08-2015, 09:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Maniac View Post
...somebody suggested Polywebs and yep they worked, got rid of the squeaking on my recordings... here's a before and after sample...
Hi MM…

I have a good friend who records with Polywebs for that very reason. He owns a studio, and anytime he's recording acoustic (personally) he restrings them with Elixir Polywebs because they are quiet.




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Old 06-08-2015, 09:14 PM
sdelsolray sdelsolray is offline
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Yes, Elixir Polywebs reduce string squeak, all other things being equal. Leaving that aside, some string squeak (using non-coated strings) is expected because certain left hand techniques simply cause it (e.g., glissando). Some squeak is caused by poor left hand technique, or put somewhat differently, could be avoided by using a different left hand technique (e.g., lifting the finger(s) when changing position to avoid sliding on them).

Many folks don't like the tone of Elilir Polywebs because the coating changes the timbre of the string by reducing high frequencies and shortening sustain a bit. Still, in their own universe on a responsive guitar, they can sound quite nice, IMO.
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Old 06-09-2015, 12:15 AM
guit3090 guit3090 is offline
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The polywebs don't squeak, for some reason , on your guitar, The Martin strings sound better to me.
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Old 06-09-2015, 01:19 AM
Buffalo101 Buffalo101 is offline
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Got no experience with Martin's Lifespan stings but I've found that Nanowebs have a good deal more squeak than Polywebs. With a little adjustment it's not a problem to me, but it's noticable. Polywebs also seems to maintain a "new string crispness" for a lot longer than Nanowebs. I got some Polywebs that I've been using since January and they still sound great. The 4th string has begun to fray but that seems like a common issue with Polywebs.
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Old 06-09-2015, 01:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucebubs View Post
Interesting, I took some D'Addario EXP strings off my baritone guitar and replaced them with Martin Lifespans and I found them very squeaky too.
I'll be going back to D'Addario EXP's next string change, Elixir just too slippery.
Yes, it's interesting how our experience varies - I'm not keen on Elixirs either, but found the EXP's quite squeaky - have settled on Wyres 'Pierre Bensusan' coated strings on one guitar and EJ's on others.
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  #14  
Old 06-09-2015, 01:39 AM
RustyZombie RustyZombie is offline
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If you dislike string squeak, but otherwise like a particular string better, adjusting your technique is always an option.
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