Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

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Gary Jarvis
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Joined: 24 Mar 2013 8:19 am
Location: Indiana, USA

Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Gary Jarvis »

I seem to be unable to reduce or eliminate string noise when moving my tone bar across the neck of my GFI 10 string. It's better when I turn my amp up loud but still present.
Can anyone provide tips to at least reduce this annoying sound?
Thank you
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Jerry Overstreet
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Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Try muting the strings behind the bar with the trailing fingers.
If you're already doing that and it's not helping perhaps your pickup is microphonic .
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Stanislav Paskalev
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Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Stanislav Paskalev »

When playing on acoustic steel I try to block with the right hand anytime I'm not playing and I have to slide the bar, in addition to having fingers behinds the bar at all times. If I'm not blocking with the right hand the bridge will hear the bar when moving. If I'm not blocking behind the bar - the nut will hear it and the guitar will sound again.

Electric lap steel is a bit easier as I have a noise gate effect immediately after the guitar and it blocks quiet sounds.
Playing an eight string lap steel tuned to A-C-E-G-A-B-D-F.
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Jerry Overstreet
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Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Jerry Overstreet »

Yes of course muting with the right hand is important which also helps eliminate pick noise.
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Ron Hogan
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Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Ron Hogan »

I think your bar has seen better days
Bob Carlucci
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Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Bob Carlucci »

if you are muting the strings behind the bar, and applying adequate downward pressure on the bar itself, it could certainly be a crap bar,, I used a "soft" bar for a while,, I had actually gotten use to it feeling and sounding "scratchy" and thought it was something I was doing wrong.. It was simply a bar that was either not polished right, or was made of the wrong steel, or something.. Replaced that crap bar, and that was the end of that slightly rough feeling, slightly scratchy period of my steel guitar career.. Today, I am appalled by how long it took me to figure it out all those years ago... bob
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Oliver Samland
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Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Oliver Samland »

To add to what Bob said (addressing the equipment): avoid using a stainless steel bar on stainless steel strings. Steel on steel creates friction, which increases drag and adds noise.
Gary Jarvis
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Joined: 24 Mar 2013 8:19 am
Location: Indiana, USA

Re: Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

Post by Gary Jarvis »

Thanks to all who have commented. Looks like I have some things to try...and I will!