View Full Version : Substitute for "nut sauce"?
Milkman1
10-26-2006, 10:43 AM
OK Gibson (and other conventional non locking guitar) users,
Will you please share your nut lubing methods? (let's keep it clean please, I'm at work) The local stores don't stock any proper graphite compounds so I'm going to try an alternative for now.
One suggestion from a local shop was a fine teflon based grease often used by mountain bikers.
Any other ideas? I know I could grind up a pencil lead, but details would be appreciated.
Thanks,
deldgeetar
10-26-2006, 10:46 AM
I find a little Astroglide on the nut really smoothes out the tension on the string.
Mighty Coogna!
10-26-2006, 10:46 AM
You can try teflon chain lubricant. Though it's a runny white fluid which can stain.
Try a pencil? And there has got to be a store around with some graphite lock compound.
IF your nuts cut well, you shouldn't need much.
barndream
10-26-2006, 10:53 AM
No. 2 Pencil works well for me.
heem6
10-26-2006, 10:54 AM
The Nut Sauce didn't work worth crap for me, but the Vaseline and Pencil still works great.
I just dip the pencil into the vaseline and then apply to the nut.
Here's an article on keeping your tremolo-equipped guitar in tune:
Keeping Your Tremolo In Tune (http://guitarattack.com/repair/tremolo.htm)
Jimi Ray Halen
10-26-2006, 11:09 AM
3-in1 oil. Seriously. Works very well. I use my whammy bar a lot and this is the only thing that has let my Strat go back to pitch. I use it on my LP too for those above the nut bends.
Milkman1
10-26-2006, 11:10 AM
Thanks guys,
I'll try one or two of these ideas (two if the first doesn't work).
I'm a died in the wool Folyd Rose guy but I picked up a used Les Paul Studio a few weeks back. I'd like to use it for a few tunes, but at rehearsal it just doesn't quite hold a tune as well as I need it to even with new strings (and yes I know how to install them properly).
It has Grovers so the nut is almost certainly the issue. I don't have time to have it tweaked and it's not terrible so I think lube will help a lot.
GuitArtMan
10-26-2006, 11:27 AM
Here's one I just heard (from Bill Nash of Nash guitars): Chap Stick. I tried it the other night, works great!
jerry_picker
10-26-2006, 11:28 AM
Originally posted by Milkman1
OK Gibson (and other conventional non locking guitar) users,
Will you please share your nut lubing methods? (let's keep it clean please, I'm at work) The local stores don't stock any proper graphite compounds so I'm going to try an alternative for now.
One suggestion from a local shop was a fine teflon based grease often used by mountain bikers.
Any other ideas? I know I could grind up a pencil lead, but details would be appreciated.
Thanks,
The Teflon lube is a great idea. I use Tri-flow, which is Teflon in a light petroleum (not grease) base. Floss the nut slot with damp cotton string, dry. Then apply a microdrop of Tri-flow and blot any excess.
I'd avoid pencil lead. Pencil lead is made of graphite (a dry carbon lubricant) plus clay (abrasive dirt). Abrasive in a lubricant base facilitates action of the abrasive (think of oiling a grinding tool or drill bit). Also, the clay can accumulate and create worse problems in time. Pure graphite may be OK, although it is dirty (carbon black) and tends to smudge. The Tri-flow, available at any bike shop, is clean...and a lifetime supply is about $3.00.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/jerry_picker/triflow.gif
Frets99
10-26-2006, 11:29 AM
Like I tol' her. There ain't no substitute for nut sauce!!
I use it all the time. I don't know why cause I don't have string popping problems or tuneage issues..... ohhhhh maybe because I use the nut sauce...
I used to use the graphite approach bu it was messy. Pencil is cool.
jerry_picker
10-26-2006, 11:32 AM
Originally posted by GuitArtMan
Here's one I just heard (from Bill Nash of Nash guitars): Chap Stick. I tried it the other night, works great!
Chapstick is the classic tech trick for lubing Fender-style string trees.
Milkman1
10-26-2006, 11:55 AM
Originally posted by GuitArtMan
Here's one I just heard (from Bill Nash of Nash guitars): Chap Stick. I tried it the other night, works great!
Chap stick? LMAO
Any particular brand?
I have a tube of Lypsyl in my brief case. It's worth a try.
Thanks,
GuitArtMan
10-26-2006, 12:14 PM
Originally posted by Milkman1
Chap stick? LMAO
Any particular brand?
I have a tube of Lypsyl in my brief case. It's worth a try.
Thanks,
I was gonna email Bill and ask him medicated or non-medicated?
:D
Serioulsy though the stuff is mostly wax and wax does have good lubricating properties, stays in place and shouldn't fuck up you fingerboard if you slop some on it.
walt0915
10-26-2006, 12:24 PM
I put a little Ren Wax in a bowl , dump some graphite on top (available from HW store), mix it up until its good and black, and the use that. It works like graphite, not as mess and stays put.
But seriously, why don't you order some GraphitALL online - you can get it about anywhere.
guitarslinger
10-26-2006, 12:27 PM
no need to grind the pencil.
just rub the lead over the slot for a while.
BTW, chapstick works wonders on knife edge tremolo pivots
One-armed Alec
10-26-2006, 12:30 PM
Originally posted by jerry_picker
I'd avoid pencil lead. Pencil lead is made of graphite (a dry carbon lubricant) plus clay (abrasive dirt). Abrasive in a lubricant base facilitates action of the abrasive (think of oiling a grinding tool or drill bit). Also, the clay can accumulate and create worse problems in time. Pure graphite may be OK, although it is dirty (carbon black) and tends to smudge.With the utmost of respect Jerry, I wonder if you're perhaps thinking a little too deeply about this one...
I mean, folks have been using pencil lead on nuts for years with very few reports of problems. Isn't this a little like the fated 'steel wool is wrong' argument of Fosse's? I mean, it all sounds very plausible in theory...
Just a thought (but not a deep one ;)).
shoeless
10-26-2006, 12:45 PM
Originally posted by deldgeetar
I find a little Astroglide on the nut really smoothes out the tension on the string.
Did nobody else catch this? That's too funny...are you serious?...Astroglide?
guitarslinger
10-26-2006, 12:50 PM
Originally posted by shoeless
Did nobody else catch this? That's too funny...are you serious?...Astroglide?
I caught it. I just thought it was too obviously a joke.
astroglide is water based lube that would run all over the place and make a gooey mess. It'd be expensive too.
One-armed Alec
10-26-2006, 01:20 PM
Originally posted by guitarslinger
astroglide is water based lube that would run all over the place and make a gooey mess. It'd be expensive too.And there's me - been using pencil lead on my old fella for years.
Someone ought to have told me about this shit!
:(
eyeball987
10-26-2006, 01:47 PM
Originally posted by GuitArtMan
Here's one I just heard (from Bill Nash of Nash guitars): Chap Stick. I tried it the other night, works great!
Yep. I have used that for years.
fastvfr
10-26-2006, 01:49 PM
I use a tiny drop of pure Mineral Oil, applied from a syringe.
Just get a miniscule little drop of the stuff at the tip of the needle and touch it to the string at the nut.
Simple as that...and it won't dissolve a plastic nut! :eek: :freak: :eek:
FWIW, the vaseline/chapstick ideas work well, too but you need to apply that while you are stringing up. Mineral oil can be applied without disassembling the guitar in any way, but might not last as long...
GuitArtMan
10-26-2006, 01:52 PM
Originally posted by guitarslinger
I caught it. I just thought it was too obviously a joke.
astroglide is water based lube that would run all over the place and make a gooey mess. It'd be expensive too.
You haven't priced nut sauce it you think astroglide is expensive! :eek:
Nutsauce - $19.95 for 1.5 cc!!! :eek: Highway fucking robbery imho.
Astroglide - 11.99 for 5 oz.
Here's some stuff from Radio Shack that looks suspiciously like repacked Nutsauce
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2264858w345.jpg
Radio Shack - 3/4 oz for $2.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102643&cp=&origkw=lubricant&kw=lubricant&parentPage=search
jerry_picker
10-26-2006, 02:19 PM
Originally posted by One-armed Alec
With the utmost of respect Jerry, I wonder if you're perhaps thinking a little too deeply about this one...
I mean, folks have been using pencil lead on nuts for years with very few reports of problems. Isn't this a little like the fated 'steel wool is wrong' argument of Fosse's? I mean, it all sounds very plausible in theory...
Just a thought (but not a deep one ;)).
Nope.
It's real, and happened to me!
My Anderson Droptop was binding at the nut. It was so bad that after a bend, the string would hang up and stay 1/4 to 1/2 tone sharp on release. I freaked, and called Roy (VP at Tom Anderson) for advice. He waxed eloquent about the problems with pencil lead and graphite, and prescribed a thorough cleaning and lube with Tri-flow. The nut had been pencil-graphited, and a surprising amount of gunk came out when I flossed the slots. Since using Tri-flow I have had no problems, and I use it at every setup with every guitar I have.
Milkman1
10-26-2006, 02:23 PM
Originally posted by GuitArtMan
You haven't priced nut sauce it you think astroglide is expensive! :eek:
Nutsauce - $19.95 for 1.5 cc!!! :eek: Highway fucking robbery imho.
Astroglide - 11.99 for 5 oz.
Here's some stuff from Radio Shack that looks suspiciously like repacked Nutsauce
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2264858w345.jpg
Radio Shack - 3/4 oz for $2.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102643&cp=&origkw=lubricant&kw=lubricant&parentPage=search
The radio shack precision lubricator in your picture uses teflon not graphite. I was told to try this item by another guitarist. For $5. (CAD)it's worth a try.
GuitArtMan
10-26-2006, 02:43 PM
Originally posted by Milkman1
The radio shack precision lubricator in your picture uses teflon not graphite. I was told to try this item by another guitarist. For $5. (CAD)it's worth a try.
So much the better. Last time I checked Teflon was slipperier than Graphite.
jerry_picker
10-26-2006, 02:47 PM
Originally posted by GuitArtMan
Here's some stuff from Radio Shack that looks suspiciously like repacked Nutsauce
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2264858w345.jpg
Radio Shack - 3/4 oz for $2.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102643&cp=&origkw=lubricant&kw=lubricant&parentPage=search
Looks great! I like the idea of the precision tip applicator (no need lubing the fretboard and headstock).
One-armed Alec
10-26-2006, 03:17 PM
Originally posted by jerry_picker
Nope.
It's real, and happened to me!
My Anderson Droptop was binding at the nut
...OK, fair enough. You should have just said ;).
I must say that I've used a pencil for years and my guitars stay in tune beautifully. Great results with the trem too.
Each to his own, I guess :).
AndersonTech
10-26-2006, 03:29 PM
Originally posted by GuitArtMan
You haven't priced nut sauce it you think astroglide is expensive! :eek:
Nutsauce - $19.95 for 1.5 cc!!! :eek: Highway fucking robbery imho.
Astroglide - 11.99 for 5 oz.
Here's some stuff from Radio Shack that looks suspiciously like repacked Nutsauce
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2264858w345.jpg
Radio Shack - 3/4 oz for $2.99
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102643&cp=&origkw=lubricant&kw=lubricant&parentPage=search
Permatex® SuperLube® is also Teflon based and comes in an applicator that looks just like that.
Harry-L
10-26-2006, 03:34 PM
#2 pencil
It is Eric Johnson approved
Mighty Coogna!
10-26-2006, 03:56 PM
As far as pencils go, there are different grades.
a 2B has more graphite than a 4H
Art stores also sell pure graphite (with a binder) sticks or pencils.
I'm not sure about the solvents used in teflon lubes work with paint on guitars.
You can apply powdered graphite with a small brush.
Having the nut cut & polished goes along way toward eliminating the need for lubrication.
I read an interview in which ZZ Top's guitar tech said he uses Carmax lip balm on Gibbon's guitars nut's. I started doing the same, and haven't had a problem since.
A $0.99 investment lasts about a year!
Splendor
10-27-2006, 03:31 AM
http://static.flickr.com/56/173132924_410c95e164_o.jpg
mc5nrg
10-27-2006, 04:39 AM
If you are cheap, spray some WD40 into a typical plastic container(margerine,yougurt whatever) that you have sitting around.After letting it evaporate for a few days you will have some leftover goop.Use that with a Qtip type swab.
One-armed Alec
10-27-2006, 12:03 PM
Originally posted by mc5nrg
If you are cheap, spray some WD40 into a typical plastic container(margerine,yougurt whatever) that you have sitting around.After letting it evaporate for a few days you will have some leftover goop.Use that with a Qtip type swab.Did you know that if you spread boot polish on bread, leave the polish to soak into the bread overnight, then eat the bread, you get an amazing buzz?
No?
Just me then...
:freak:
jerry_picker
10-27-2006, 12:33 PM
Originally posted by One-armed Alec
Did you know that if you spread boot polish on bread, leave the polish to soak into the bread overnight, then eat the bread, you get an amazing buzz?
No?
Just me then...
:freak:
I knew a guy who did that!
He was higher than hell, hallucinating that demons were stabbing him repeatedly in the abdomen with red-hot pokers. Then, he saw angels coming to his rescue in a great cosmic battle, a sort of psychedelic tug-of-war for his soul. This was just before he shrieked in an unearthly cry, went into a violent seizure, and died...:cry:
:p
One-armed Alec
10-29-2006, 05:11 AM
Originally posted by jerry_picker
I knew a guy who did that!
He was higher than hell, hallucinating that demons were stabbing him repeatedly in the abdomen with red-hot pokers. Then, he saw angels coming to his rescue in a great cosmic battle, a sort of psychedelic tug-of-war for his soul. This was just before he shrieked in an unearthly cry, went into a violent seizure, and died...:cry::eek:
Hold on - he didn't use brown bread did he?
"a sort of psychedelic tug-of-war for his soul"
:D
This might very well be the answer to the eternal question:
"What in the hell is going down during the final twenty five minutes of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey"?