Scratchy string sound when sliding bar

[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

[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 .

[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.

[Jerry Overstreet]

Yes of course muting with the right hand is important which also helps eliminate pick noise.

[Ron Hogan]

I think your bar has seen better days

[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

[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]

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

[Colin Boutilier]

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

I didn't realize how important the bar was, until I accidentally grabbed my spare Dunlop instead of my BJS. Never again.

[Bobby D. Jones]

How old are the set of strings on guitar?
New strings can cause that problem.
When 2 objects rub together both must be smooth, Or there can be noise.

When the winding is wound on the core, Sometimes there can be little burrs on the string, That can cause the problem.

I got hold of some stainless steel George L. strings once, That was scratchy. 1 string seemed to grab skin. When sliding up and down the strings. I smoothed the strings with 0000 steel wool, Ended problem.

[Jim Cooley]

I think a lot of us have experienced the same issue, Colin. I did. I tried two or three different bars and different brands of strings; also stainless vs. non-stainless wound strings. For me, it was a matter of experience. I now use stainless wound strings and a BJS bar, and don't have "scratchy" strings. You have several good suggestions here from players who are more experienced and much better than I. Stay with it. You'll get there.

[Bob Hoffnar]

In my experience with having that problem myself and dealing with it with students on a regular basis it seems to come down to how much you practice. It's a subtle part of technique that if you stay focused on eliminating all unintentional notes and noises it will clear up. Like a squeaky reed on a clarinet or a scratchy sound from a violin bow. Consistent focused practice will pay off.

here is a very short vid I did to clear something up a while back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrdJEhXk3Gk

[Ron Hogan]

Worn out

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ws4y5W4c420? ... 7efym5PFv_