Anyone ever used grit paper on acoustic wound strings for less noisy slide ?

[Odin]

Sometimes with new strings finger slides and use of glass or ceramic can get a bit noisy so thought I would try running the wounds through some grit paper then a cloth, not something I would try with coated strings but I used uncoated Martin retro and it did make sliding a bit less noisy however this was only on 11s will try it on some 13 guage I use for slide, wondering if more contact between string and slide would give better tone and less noise or rasping.

Could be wasting my time 😉

[sunjamr]

So basically you are converting your round-wound strings into half-round strings. You could just buy some half-rounds, or even flat-wound strings. I believe slide guitar players often use flat-wounds to give less rasping.

Sunjamr Steve

[GnLguy]

Agree with Steve – too much work for me to use sandpaper like that LOL

GHS Nickel Rockers are roller wound instead of round wound and they have a smoother surface. GHS also has sets with a wound 3rd, which would be my choice for slide

https://www.ghsstrings.com/products?categories=nickel-rockerstm

[Odin]

Thanks for the feedback guys I thought flat wounds were nickel wound and made for electric nickel wound sounds thin on acoustic I am told. I have now found you can get bronze wound flats for acoustic found these but a bit dearer than Martin Retros will give them a try but might continue to experiment with grit paper plus I don’t want a very dark tone cheers
Product description
The D’Addario EFT16 Flat Top Light Acoustic Guitar Strings 12-53 is a set of six strings for an acoustic guitar. The EFT16 set combines a popular light gauge with an exclusive precision polishing process for a smoother, quieter playing surface. Ideal for recording or slide playing, the Flat Tops are round wound, then precision ground, leaving the outer surface smooth and semi-flat thereby greatly reducing finger noise. The main features of the D’Addario EFT16 Flat Top Light Acoustic Guitar Strings 12-53 include: For: 6-String Acoustic Guitar Type: Half Round (Semi-Flat) Material: Phosphor Bronze Core: Steel Tone: Warm, Semi-Bright Gauge: Light Gauge Dimensions: .

[snakechisler]

You can do easiest is silicon type spray or wipe on the strings

Or

I use d’addario half rounds, there normal strings which are then ground

[GnLguy]

snakechisler wrote:

You can do easiest is silicon type spray or wipe on the strings

Or

I use d’addario half rounds, there normal strings which are then ground

D’Addario Half Rounds are good strings but their stainless steel alloy might be too bright for slide

[Odin]

Not sure about silicone bit toxic plus might make bending strings awkward. Mixed reviews on Amazon on D’addario EFT16 will try half rounds sometime. Cheers Odin

[GnLguy]

Odin wrote:

Not sure about silicone bit toxic plus might make bending strings awkward. Mixed reviews on Amazon on D’addario EFT16 will try half rounds sometime. Cheers Odin

Keep the GHS Nickel Rockers in mind too. Nickel Rockers were/are the choice of SRV and Eric Johnson so that’s a good endorsement & reference

[Author]

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