Pick noise

[Baum83]

Hey guys,
I'm getting somewhat faster on guitar, and I'm running into some problems. To me, it sounds like pick noise is killing a part of my playing when going to somewhat faster tempos (like that ascending lick before the chorus in Pull Me Under). It's not like there's just pick noise, but it's nowhere near as clean as I would like it.
I tried holding the pick (black Jazz3) perfectly perpendicular to the strings, which didn't really help much, cut down gain a whole lot, but it's still there. Is it possible that the noise is just a sign of poor left/right hand coordination, so that my left hand might be responsible for it?
Any help would be appreciated.

[jackson1]

Re: Pick noise

You did what i would do in that situation, hmmm... [img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] A sound sample would make troubleshooting a lot easier. You probably already tried another type of pick. Those Jazz picks has a nasty edge from molding as i remember them. Are you palm muting? Palm muting on distorted sounds also makes noise as you move the palm over the strings. I wouldn't think poor hand coordination would result in excessive noise that resembles pick noise. A sound sample could help here :-)

[Baum83]

Re: Pick noise

http://www.shapeshifter-metal.de/kram/test.mp3

That's just kinda wanked away, I know it's not exactly good playing, just tell what I can do to get rid of that unnerving sound [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
The recording doesn't quite to it justice, it is a lot more of a trebly sounding "chuck" when standing right beside the amp.

[fuel0707]

Re: Pick noise

I might have a couple of suggestions for you, in no real particular order.

1) Try a less trebly tone setting, that might de-emphasize the pick noise.

2) Try a different sort of pick. I used to use Jazz III's but I switched to 1.14 and 1.5 mm Dunlops. Yngwie and Joe Stump both use the 1.5 mm Dunlops.

3) Try holding the pick and/or hitting the strings differently. It's possible that simply angling the pick a bit could change the tone to one that you like more. I read an article where Scott Henderson said that he's turning the pick such that he basically hits the string with the side of the pick instead of the point and that's really smoothed out his tone. I believe Scott said he got the suggestion from Mike Landau, so you know it's gotta be good info!

4) Try to work some light palm-muting into your faster runs. In addition to making for some more clarity, it will also tend to reduce the pick noise. Plus, it's a great extra dynamic to have in your arsenal of techniques.

I hope these suggestions help.

[jackson1]

Re: Pick noise

Great playing! Been studying that Stetina book again, have you [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

What i hear is difinitely pick noise. Not much though. It is most audible at the 1st lick (Yngwie). Every note played on the same string. I DON'T think the problem is there on all the licks, because they are played on other strings and positions on the guitar. Explanation:

Let me take a wild shot. The following might sound crazy but is something i have experienced myself. Maybe it applies to your situation/problem. I think it does.

The noise is coming from the tip of the pick returning to the vibrating string, thereby fretting the string shortly and creating an overtone - in this case an unpleasant one. So, that unpleasant, high pitched and very short "eek" you hear on every pick return, is actually a tone being created. The picking position functions as the nut in this case, so it's like an ultra short note fretted on an imaginary 30th fret or so.

This is hard to get rid of on that actual guitar. Playing the lick on another guitar with other measures and pickups probably will change this. Sometimes a specific combo of guitar, pups and EQ/distortion settings just creates this ****.

Try to play the lick with your picking hand further up towards the nut or down towards the bridge. Or change the EQ settings on your amp. Try the same lick on another guitar. Tell us if you can validate what i just said or maybe come up with an explanation yourself.

Holy craption, long answer :-)

[Baum83]

Re: Pick noise

John:
I had everything pretty much at 12 o'clock when I recorded, cutting the treble further didn't really help much. I'll get some different picks when I'm at the local shop again, maybe that helps... might go back to Tortex instead of Nylon, worth a shot.
I know that "angling" thing from Jazz guitarists, it does indeed smoothen out the tone, but the Jazz3 is kinda small so there'd be even less pick to hit the string with [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Palm muting did indeed help a bit in making the notes more audible, which is something I need to improve as well, but it didn't kill the noise. Thanks anyway [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Jackson1:
I tried this on my EMG-equipped Warrior and my DK2 with an X2N thru my 5150 II, and it's the worst with the Warrior using the neck pup. That one's got pretty dead strings on it, though, gotta try again with that one after changing.
I also think it's associated with my pick/picking/hand position, I'll try shifting the position and see what happens. Then with some other picks...
Yeah, I've been studying that Stetina book again, along with my new-bought Images&Words tabbook and Rock Discipline DVD, but I still suck. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Thanks for the answers so far guys [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[fuel0707]

Re: Pick noise

[ QUOTE ]
John:
I'll get some different picks when I'm at the local shop again, maybe that helps... might go back to Tortex instead of Nylon, worth a shot.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know if it was clear from my suggestion, but I was also suggesting trying a different shape/size of pick, too. Like I said, I used to use the Jazz III's, but I like the bigger shapes now, rather like a larger, traditional Fender or Dunlop shape.

Best of luck to you as try to tame the "noise beast".

[maddog]

Re: Pick noise

The way that always works is to practice slower. Whn you played slower you had no pick noise. Then gradually speed up, it should work.

[RacerX]

Re: Pick noise

I forgot I had my speakers turned up, and the MP3 took a bit to load. When the piece started, the WEEKA WEEKA WEEKA made me jump in my seat! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Shotgun]

Re: Pick noise

Aw, man, I saw the thread title and thought it said "Pick Nose"

[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Sukisyn]

Re: Pick noise

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Baum83]

Re: Pick noise

Pick nose? Duh. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Well, I got some different pick shapes and materials today, and it didn't really help much. I also went back in speed a lot, and it's still there... it's got something to do with my right hand position, I'm pretty sure now. Maybe I'm just a sloppy picker, ah well. Maybe I run into someone (like a teacher... like I could afford one [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] ) who can tell me what I'm doing wrong.
Thanks for the help anyway!