Question all JP-guitar users: do you lubricate the nut on your JP guitar?

[Santuzzo]

Hi,

I just got my first JP7 and I'm loving it.
The only little issue I am experiencing is that the low b (7th) string returns sharp after I push down the trem bar.
This might be due to the strings not yet being stretched in fully yet, I don't know.

In case that is not the problem I was wondering if I should use some lubricant on the nut.

Do you guys lubricate the nut and/or the knife edges on your JP guitars? And if yes, what do you use for it?

Thanks,
Lars

 

[benoa]

No. No issues. Owner of 2 JP6.

 

[t_rod]

I always do when I restring, just add a dab of Dr. Ducks Axe Wax. No issues with stability even if I use it pretty aggressively, but I certainly don't go all Steve Vai on it LMAO.

 

[DrKev]

Returning sharp? Lube the nut is first call. Plenty of recent threads. Use he forum search engine or add site:ernieball.com to the end of your google search terms.

 

[BrickGlass]

Yes I do lube it, if I don't it doesn't hold in tune as good. Same goes for my Luke. Some lube helps immensely and I lube other areas too. I prefer Big Bends Nut Sauce but like DrKev said there are some other threads about this and also what people use to slick things up.

 

[Warg Master]

I lube mine as well. Pre-emptive and reactive for one of the guitars.

 

[Lou]

I have never had the need to do this on any of mine. It won't hurt if needed

 

[PaoloGilberto]

I also lube the nut on my music man and sterling (sterling are recent purchases ) and it helps a loooot that is for sure
I even wrote CS before that, because Luke and JP were pretty bad at staying in tune.
I use guitar grease from stewmac and now I've just ordered big bends nut sauce to try that also
had the sterling JP only lubed at knife edges and I think it is pretty important since it's a friction point metal on metal
I will do the same with MM guitars with the next string change

 

[Santuzzo]

Thanks guys for your input. I appreciate it!

In addition to the 7th string going sharp I also noticed this: when pushing down the trem bar I hear that 'pling' kind of noise coming from the nut which I assume indicates strings binding at the nut.
Could the nut be too tight and require for a tech to cut/sand it?
I would expect a guitar in this price range not to require any extra work done like that....

any ideas?

 

[DrKev]

Usually it's just a question of lube. Any size string can bind in any nut slot. I clean the nut slots and re-lube with every string change. (I use the edge of a business card or folded paper to clear out the slots and to apply the lube (I currently like white lithium grease). It adds only one minute extra to my string changes.

Bear in mind that the nut slots are cut for the size of the string put on at the factory. The guitar is set up for standard tuning with 9's and 10's are usually fine too. Anything bigger than that may need the nut slots widened a little. It's an easy and quick job for a tech so no worries.

 

[roburado]

No.

 

[christheasian]

I've never HAD to, but I put some of that planet waves lubrakit stuff on all pivot points just as a precaution.

 

[Santuzzo]

Thanks a lot everybody for the input. I appreciate it.
I already got Big Bends Nut Sauce on order

 

[ksandvik]

Balm stick is cheap and works the same way, too.

 

[Santuzzo]

on my Sterling JP70s I used graphite shaved off a pencil mixed with vaseline. but I'm not sue if I want to do that on the EBMM JP7.

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

Once a year I may apply a speck of chap stick to the nut. The tuning stability is great with the guitar anyway.

 

[mikeller]

I will sometimes use powered graphite (not on maple) or Big Bends in the nut slots if something isn't returning correctly. The thing about Big Bends is it attracts dirt and needs cleaned out of the nut slot with string changes. ALSO <warning: on-coming Eric Johnson moment> I swear sometimes it sounds like it deadens the ring of open strings so I would say use it very very sparingly

 

[jptortor]

I will sometimes use powered graphite (not on maple) or Big Bends in the nut slots if something isn't returning correctly. The thing about Big Bends is it attracts dirt and needs cleaned out of the nut slot with string changes. ALSO <warning: on-coming Eric Johnson moment> I swear sometimes it sounds like it deadens the ring of open strings so I would say use it very very sparingly

I agree with you 100%. I stopped using the more gel-like products because of the deadening effect I heard on the strings.

 

[mikeller]

I agree with you 100%. I stopped using the more gel-like products because of the deadening effect I heard on the strings.

Glad to read this!!! What do you use?

 

[Santuzzo]

Oh, I can imagine the lube somehow deadening the open strings. I noticed that when I applied too much vaseline on my JP70s bridge saddles and nut slots.