Nuts n' lube?

[orion_21]

I have an older JP6 and newer BFR JP6. I noticed the new nut design (and also saw it in the FAQ). Does anyone put anything in the nut slots to help the string slide better? I just notice that my older JP6 is harder to bend than the new BFR, and the strings (EB 9's) and setup are the same (as far as # springs, action , etc)

 

[the24thfret]

Graphite from a pencil works or something like Big Bends Nut Sauce

 

[ZeRaskolnikoff]

One Russian guy suggests to mix some very light machine oil (like sewing machine one) and the pencil graphite! Take that mixture and soak a thick cotton thread in it. Then feed that thread through individual string slot in back-and-forth way, applying some pressure. What it does - it just rubes the lube into the pores of plastic. That's what I use and it works just fine!

Nut Sauce works fine too, but it's a bit pricy.

You guys, who have maple fretboards be careful with pencil graphite! I use it on my Silo' and once I accidentally drop a minimal quality of it on the neck. That dust ate through the wood and it's there to stay! I tried everything, I even tried sanding - it won't work. Now I have the grey stains on the neck. The good thing - it makes it the neck look like the old one ))

When using graphite (or the above-mentioned mixture with light oil), cover the 1st fret with masking tape. I actually overlap the nut with it to make sure none of that graphite will get to the fretboard.

 

[Spudmurphy]

+1 with the graphite - works great.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

one of the luthiers around here he swears by rubbing soap on the nut. he uses some sort of unscented soap and it actually does work. not sure how many people are willing to try it though.

 

[misterB]

This may sound strange but I run a playing card in the slots of my JP at string changes, and I haven't had ANY issues with tuning stability whatsoever. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that tremolo system!!!!!!!!!

 

[orion_21]

This may sound strange but I run a playing card in the slots of my JP at string changes, and I haven't had ANY issues with tuning stability whatsoever. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that tremolo system!!!!!!!!!

You are correct sir, that does indeed sound weird.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try the graphite then the lube if that doesn't seem to help.

 

[BrickGlass]

Big Bends Nut Sauce is awesome and works quite well. Need to order some more now that I think about it.

 

[buckethead777]

Pencil graphite fixed nut binding on my Luke. I'd like to try some Nut Sauce, but yeh, it is pricey

 

[DrKev]

I've used pencil graphite, chapstick (mint flavoured, of course), and 3-n-1 oil and all are perfectly acceptable. Whatever you do, just use the minimum amount necessary. For optimum tuning stability put a little where the strings contact the saddles too. And clean off the old gunk every string change or two.

I just notice that my older JP6 is harder to bend than the new BFR

Lubricating the nut slots will make no difference to the feel, only to the tuning stability. If you have no problem with tuning stability, you have no problem with friction at the nut.

 

[mikeller]

Nut sauce is a bit pricey - but I will tell you, that it takes so little that a tub lasts a very long time. It is much safer (as someone mentioned) on maple boards because graphite will indeed make a mess out of them !!

 

[buckethead777]

Good point Mike, one should get heaps of use out of one tube.
Wish EBMM would jump on the tusq waggon

 

[littlephil]

Good point Mike, one should get heaps of use out of one tube.
Wish EBMM would jump on the tusq waggon

I've used guitars with Tusq nuts and my JP7 stays in tune just as well (if not better), without any lubrication of the nut.

 

[billpepper82]

Graphite from a pencil works or something like Big Bends Nut Sauce

I dont know as much as you guys but came in to say this

 

[DrKev]

I've used guitars with Tusq nuts and my JP7 stays in tune just as well (if not better), without any lubrication of the nut.

+1

EBMM nuts are made from a tough melamine resin and are as good as anything I've seen anywhere. They are not inherently lubricating but Tusq isn't either (though Tusq XL is, apparently). Tusq is a good nut material, I've had it on my other guitar for years, but IMO it's not superior to EBMMs melamine.

 

[Ming]

Big Bends nut sauce or GHS GraphitAll

I have an older JP6 and newer BFR JP6. I noticed the new nut design (and also saw it in the FAQ). Does anyone put anything in the nut slots to help the string slide better? I just notice that my older JP6 is harder to bend than the new BFR, and the strings (EB 9's) and setup are the same (as far as # springs, action , etc)