Finger noise on the strings

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    ☑️ Profiler Stage

    Ok so I know my playing technique isn't the greatest but wow, I'm hearing a lot of the 'fingers on the strings' noise when I move around the fretboard. Especially when I use the Kemper Drive.

    Tried eq'ing it out but couldn't find the frequency.

    Anyone have any luck dialing that out, or at least reducing it? Thanks.

  • Add a noise gate and adjust until string noise is clamped. Otherwise, you have to change technique of lifting your fingers higher, or use lotion for dry hands which is not too good for strings.

    Larry Mar @ Lonegun Studios. Neither one famous yet.

  • Some sounds are far less forgiving than others for this. I've got a couple of clean sounds that do not suffer poor technique well at all. Figured one of those out standing in front of a couple hundred people. That was a fun weekend..../s.

    It's not really a Kemper-specific thing.

  • If you suspect your technique is at fault then I would spend time fixing it at the source:

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    Gives you something to practice. It will be fun!

    Kemper PowerRack |Kemper Stage| Rivera 4x12 V30 cab | Yamaha DXR10 pair | UA Apollo Twin Duo | Adam A7X | Cubase DAW
    Fender Telecaster 62 re-issue chambered mahogany | Kramer! (1988 or so...) | Gibson Les Paul R7 | Fender Stratocaster HBS-1 Classic Relic Custom Shop | LTD EC-1000 Evertune | 1988 Desert Yellow JEM

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    Thanks for the responses all. Great info. I'll look into the settings adjustments and Fast Fret first.

    Fast Fret works best (IMHO) when it is applied after playing (and basic string cleaning), so there will still be a little left when you pick up the guitar next time.
    Been using it since the 90s mostly because I have way more guitars than I can play and strings on those need to last!

  • Fast Fret works best (IMHO) when it is applied after playing (and basic string cleaning), so there will still be a little left when you pick up the guitar next time.
    Been using it since the 90s mostly because I have way more guitars than I can play and strings on those need to last!

    I've never used it. Should I put something under the strings to protect the wood?

  • I've never used it. Should I put something under the strings to protect the wood?

    Like DonPetersen I have also been using it since the 90s. GHS say to use it on your strings and fretboard, so no, you don’t need to protect the fretboard from it. But I don’t specifically use mine on the fretboard (though you can), just the strings, but some does get on the fretboard, it’s not a problem.

    On rosewood fretboards, being unfinished they dry out over time, so I’ll feed the wood with lemon oil once a year or so, while the strings are off.

    I have found that Fast Fret, used after every time I play, greatly prolongs the life of the strings. I’m not being paid to say that 😀.

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    On rosewood fretboards, being unfinished they dry out over time, so I’ll feed the wood with lemon oil once a year or so, while the strings are off.

    FWIW ;)
    if you live in a very dry climate, this may very well be true.
    however in moderate climates, the fretboard will absorb moisture from the air and fingers and no additional product is needed to condition them. The effect these oils have is purely cosmetic. Open-pore wood will regulate itself if the surroundings allow that.

  • FWIW ;)
    if you live in a very dry climate, this may very well be true.
    however in moderate climates, the fretboard will absorb moisture from the air and fingers and no additional product is needed to condition them. The effect these oils have is purely cosmetic. Open-pore wood will regulate itself if the surroundings allow that.

    I had to look this up - but rosewood rarely comes with a finish on it because it doesn't need one. Rosewood is naturally a very oily wood. It doesn't really need much help. It *can* get pretty ratty looking over time.

    It's suggested that rosewood furniture be conditioned/oiled once a year (or two) depending. That's where the majority of rosewood is used.

    After a bottle of lemon oil I bought like.....30 years finally ran out, I've been using Gerlitz Guitar Honey. Is it necessary to take care of the wood? Not really....but cleaning the fingerboard is necessary. It may not 'help' the wood - but it looks better to me. :)

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    It *can* get pretty ratty looking over time.

    It's suggested that rosewood furniture be conditioned/oiled once a year (or two) depending.

    just to clarify: the wood may not look as pretty as a newly oiled piece, but this is purely cosmetic.

    The suggestion is for furniture, not instruments.

    I'm repeating the words of the chief designer of Warwick basses for many years, with whom I had the good fortune to share an office.

  • Horses for courses.

    Unfinished wood is unfinished wood.

    I would argue that a fingerboard sees WAY more abuse in than a piece of luxury furniture that sits in a room. Never seeing swings in temp, humidity or even frequent handling.

    No - it does not need it. But cosmetics matter to many.

  • Horses for courses.

    Unfinished wood is unfinished wood.

    I would argue that a fingerboard sees WAY more abuse in than a piece of luxury furniture that sits in a room. Never seeing swings in temp, humidity or even frequent handling.

    No - it does not need it. But cosmetics matter to many.

    It is true that rosewood boards don't need oiled other than for cosmetic reasons. Agreed about humidity and temperature swings affecting guitars more than furniture (depending on where you live) but as for handling that's one of the reasons guitars don't need oiled. Actually playing the instrument gives it plenty of re-oiling from the natural oils in our fingers. Boards that tend to look dried out are usually case queens or wall hangers that don't get played.

  • Just remember that not everyone plays Kerry King solos where you touch every fret in every solo.

    Kemper PowerRack |Kemper Stage| Rivera 4x12 V30 cab | Yamaha DXR10 pair | UA Apollo Twin Duo | Adam A7X | Cubase DAW
    Fender Telecaster 62 re-issue chambered mahogany | Kramer! (1988 or so...) | Gibson Les Paul R7 | Fender Stratocaster HBS-1 Classic Relic Custom Shop | LTD EC-1000 Evertune | 1988 Desert Yellow JEM

  • It is true that rosewood boards don't need oiled other than for cosmetic reasons. Agreed about humidity and temperature swings affecting guitars more than furniture (depending on where you live) but as for handling that's one of the reasons guitars don't need oiled. Actually playing the instrument gives it plenty of re-oiling from the natural oils in our fingers. Boards that tend to look dried out are usually case queens or wall hangers that don't get played.

    You're right - oils from your skin can help. But really only the areas you interact with. As I said - I'm not arguing that rosewood can survive just fine on its own. It most certainly can and does. But a well-played guitar looks better when you clean and treat the fret board once in a while. Y'know...take care of the tool?

    As for cases...all but one of my guitars stay in their cases unless I'm planning to play them. The one that sits out was created specifically for the purpose of being handy. The rest *do* get played, but everything lasts longer, fewer accidents happen and strings last WAY longer. Just how I go about it.

  • Back to the topic at hand, the noise gate seems to be the only thing that really brings the noise down but I have to really crank it. The next time I play out with it, I'll try setting it pretty high to see if it's taking too much of the initial attack with it.

    Definition on the amp didn't do much and pick attack did nothing. Interestingly, definition in the Kemper Drive did a lot as did bringing down the tone, but that just made the overall sound too muddy.

    I'll also look into that fast fret stuff.