What type of grease

[pacman]

Hi all. What type of grease or oil do members use to lubricate the nut on their fingerboard.According to Haynes manual the author uses graphite mixed with vaseline.As yet I have never used anything but as I've started to get some of the strings to ping I thought it time to do something about it, before I did I'd be interested to know what fellow members have used and found it worked for them I suppose the answer is a graphite nut but then its finding someone reliable to fit it. I've never seen anything in a guitar shop that comes in a tube already mixed As I have a rosewood fingerboard any form of oil is out of the question as it would soak into the wood Pacman

[asimmd]

You want ready mixed---we got ready mixed.he he

www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/2699-big_bends_lil_luber_ultra_nut_sauce_5cc

It's not cheap but it works,but it's not a substitute for a badly cut nut.

Alan

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Pacman,
I have used graphite mixed with vaseline and it works well enough. I stopped using it because I didn't like the appearance of the building up of the black substance. I now use a light oil that was given to me, it's called key oil, I think it is marked by Selmer for their wind instruments. Sewing machine oil is probably very similar. I haven't had a problem with rosewood boards as any surplus should be removed immediately after applying. It is a good idea to apply whatever you are using under the contact points of the string tree too, if you have one.
Regards,
Charlie

[Alcopop]

Hi Pacman, i use lipsyl applied with a cocktail stick.

Regards,

Fred

[olemuso]

Valvoline works as well - it`s what trumpeters and trombonists use.
I got some years ago off a drummer I was with who also played trombone, piano and string bass!

[John Haldane]

I use a pencil, just gently mark the grooves in the nut.
Take care
John H

[peterbower]

I would pay to use an acid free synthetic grease such as Lubroteknic or one of the specialist PTFE Synth greases which can usually be found in gun shops.

Greases that contain acids such as mineral based grease can attack the plastic nuts. There is a special grease that is designed to lube plastic on metal [the name escapes me at the moment] but it can be found in gun shops and is used on air rifle mechanisms where there is high friction between metal and plastic.

Peter

[zager]

hi pacman. this is a bit long but its worth a read. copyed it from a web site cant remember which one it was..regards tony.......................................................................................... There are four main types of tuning lubricant used today by guitar technicians: petroleum based gel, wax, oil, and graphite. As with anything else, each has its pros and cons.
1. Petroleum Based Gel – These have become popular as some manufacturers have developed clever applicators and dispensers for pinpoint applications. The lubrication is a clear jelly that prevents runny messes. Vaseline, with a toothpick applicator is a good alternative if you don’t want to drop the big bucks on the expensive stuff.
Pros: Easy to work with applicators
Cons: Expensive. Some contain penetrating properties that will discolor or cause plating to flake off.
2. Wax – Dental tape that is waxed is perfect for getting into those tight nut slots. Some technicians like to use a piece of twine rubbed over candle wax instead of dental tape. Either one accomplishes the same effect.
Pros: Low buck and readily available at most stores. Wax will not discolor components.
Cons: The wax tends to break down when exposed to higher temperatures, leaving no lubricity.
3. Oil – Common household oils or mineral oils are good choices. Use very sparingly as too much will create a mess. Be careful not to use penetrating oils as you could end up with discoloration or chrome plating flaking off. Some technicians run a small drop down a needle as an applicator.
Pros: Low cost and easy to find. Excellent anti-friction properties.
Cons: Very messy. Difficult application. Penetration properties can ruin components.
4. Graphite – This has been a popular choice for many years. A sharpened pencil tip or mechanical pencil will get the graphite into tight string channels on the nut. The lubricity properties are not as robust as the petroleum based lubes, but it does help.
Pros: Low cost and easy to use.
Cons: Lubricity properties can be limited and not as effective across a sharp string saddle.
Avoid Penetrating Properties
We mentioned earlier some of these tuning lubricants can have penetrating properties. Penetrating oils and lubricants should be avoided as they can penetrate into a guitar’s components. Unfortunately, some of the more popular (and expensive) petroleum gel based lubricants can be very penetrating. Be careful in which one you select.
Here is the question: Is this harmful?
At the very minimum, the nut has been discolored, which is a cosmetic issue some guitarist might not like. Long term, you can expect the aging of this component to be altered. Penetrating oils and lubricants have been known to soften materials like wood and plastic…a possible issue for a plastic or bone nut.?
Conclusions
From our experiment, we have seen the pitfalls with tuning lubricants. Some petroleum based tuning lubricants can have penetrating properties that can harm your guitar. Lubricants such as wax and graphite are fairly passive, but limited in their effectiveness when compared to their petroleum based lubes. Some tuning lubricants can be very expensive for the small amount you get in a dispenser. If you use a petroleum based tuning lubricant, find out if the manufacturer has a guarantee against instrument damage from their product. Tuning lubes can be a nice tweak to your guitar’s tunability. Be wise when selecting which one will work best for you.

[pacman]

Hi Guys
asimm It looks good but as you say expensive.

Charlie I think a synthetic based oil like the Selmer oil would be safe to use.
Alcopop Thats an interesting one but when you think about it its a mild form of grease
olemuso Its probably a similar oil that that Charlie suggested
John It is graphite and its easy to apply
Peter Next time I pop into town I'll pop into the gun shop and check it out
telstars It makes interesting reading at least it lets you know what not to use.

Many thanks for all your replies and may I wish you all a Happy New Year

Kind regards David

[JohnG]

Try using model car transmission oil (radio controlled)

Cheers....

JohnG....

[joeboy]

I have been using Radio Control model car transmission grease, it's a thickish silicon grease, very slippery & doesn't turn to liquid & spread about like other grease/oils

A small amount applied with a matchstick to the nut grooves & a very slight smearing on the strings where it contacts the nut works wonders, no slime or gunge with this grease.

Because it's so slippery you need only a very small amount so you don't run the risk of deadening the strings

Something else worth considering is to upgrade the string trees to the ones with the small rotating rollers, my guitar seems to stay in tune for ages with these fitted, very cheap & a doddle to change



I use 12-52s & have never had to enlarge the grooves in the nut on any of my guitars, the above method works great for me

[noelford]

Blimey! I am genuinely gobsmacked. I've been playing guitar since around 1960 and have NEVER lubricated my nuts (if you'll excuse the expression!). Since I have never suffered any problems, I'm just wondering what I have missed!

[pacman]

Hi johnG Thanks for your reply it seems you and joeboy are on the same wavelength
Happy New Year to you and your family.Regards David ;D
----------------------------------------------------------------
Hi joeboy Thanks for your reply I might just give it a try I 'll certainly fit one of those roller string tree's. The problem started when I changed the strings from 9-42's to 10-46's.
Happy New Year to yourself and your family
Regards David ;D

[graeme]

Dec 30, 2009 21:28:16 GMT pacman said:

The problem started when I changed the strings from 9-42's to 10-46's.

So the larger strings are now binding in the nut slots! You need to recut the slots to suit the new gauge strings - lubrication is not the answer.

I'm with noelford on this issue. I've been playing guitar for nearly 50 years now and I've never needed to lubricate the nut. OTOH, I have learned how to set up an instrument so that such bandaids are not necessary.

Roller trees help, but staggered machines are even better, because you can ditch the string trees altogether and lose a major source of friction. Another trick is to use a graphite loaded nut, but I've never felt the need personally.

[pacman]

Hi Graeme I agree with what you say. I bought my first strat in 1961 Flamingo pink I had it stolen then had my second one in 1965 I never had to touch them in all that time I packed it up in 1967 but of course they were made in America not all round the world like today.Mines made in Mexico but I tried about eight of them before I found a good one. What I''ll do is let them bed in with a bit of silicon grease and then take it from there

Regards David