Graphite or Nut Lube: Your Preference

  • Thread starter Thread starter Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog

Well-known member
I may need a new but to help with tuning stability. I mostly don’t have the issue, but I used to use graphite with a little lube and that seems to help as the strings age. Generally, I notice the tuning doesn’t hold as well after 2-3 three hour shows, which I think is normal.

Anyway, just curious if you guys use either or both to help ensure tuning stays in tact as much as possible while the strings are still good.

Thx.
 
I use a little bit of mechanical pencil 'lead' which is obviously graphite. Lol. I have noticed benefits.

I am hesitant to use anything else because I think some of the products have potential to attract dirt or get sticky in the long run.

So just graphite for me.

Also if you have a well cut nut, as most of mine are, it eliminates the issue largely. I still use graphite though.

The nut is the flaw in most cases. Graphite is just an aid.
 
I think of it this way, graphite on a shitty nut is just like putting a bandaid on a broken arm.
 
swamptrashstompboxes":3s306o42 said:
I think of it this way, graphite on a shitty nut is just like putting a bandaid on a broken arm.
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Agree. I think I need a new nut on this one. But I have a show coming up next week, so need the band aid. Thanks for chiming in; helps to learn what other do.
 
Junk Yard Dog":2cuclq4i said:
swamptrashstompboxes":2cuclq4i said:
I think of it this way, graphite on a shitty nut is just like putting a bandaid on a broken arm.
Click to expand...

Agree. I think I need a new nut on this one. But I have a show coming up next week, so need the band aid. Thanks for chiming in; helps to learn what other do.
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So long as it's a decent or salvageable nut? I've found a good gauge filing (if necessary) and the use of soft pencil "lead" in the grooves to get me through the umpteen guitars I've had through my hands. Only 2 times did my findings warrant the replacement of a nut. One time the nut was too buggered from over-sized strings and therefore sat too low for the standard strings desired; the other time was a replacement nut that was made out of shitty sticky plastic made to look like Tusq or something opaque white; just garbage.
 
LP Freak":2ixwm8c6 said:
I use lube on all my nuts :D
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LOL! You know the funny thing is I'm reading thru this post and all completely normal for us. When I'm at work and me and my buddy get to talking about guitars and we talk about lubing nuts and changing G strings, we get weird looks, laughs, etc.

I made up a Dad joke a few months ago and failed miserably. I said "what do Victoria's Secret" and "Guitar Center" both having in common? They both sell G-Strings". I got no laughs and was completely deflated.....
 
romanianreaper":2dp09vxk said:
LP Freak":2dp09vxk said:
I use lube on all my nuts :D
Click to expand...


LOL! You know the funny thing is I'm reading thru this post and all completely normal for us. When I'm at work and me and my buddy get to talking about guitars and we talk about lubing nuts and changing G strings, we get weird looks, laughs, etc.

I made up a Dad joke a few months ago and failed miserably. I said "what do Victoria's Secret" and "Guitar Center" both having in common? They both sell G-Strings". I got no laughs and was completely deflated.....
Click to expand...

I thought your joke was funny as hell. I lol'd.
 
Word. Thanks, fellas. I’m pretty sure it’s already a tusq nut, but I think one Luthier may have jacked it up. I put new strings on it just now and will see how it hold tomorrow at band jam.

I went back to my old Luthier and asked him his thoughts and he said “proper cut bone nut: done.” Then he said he doesn’t like the lube or graphite, but if he would use one over the other, it would be graphite.

Also, he said it’s always good to take 3-4 strings of wax floss and floss the nut grooves before putting the new strings back on. That’s his preference over the other two options.

Cheers.
 
Junk Yard Dog":b02xy24l said:
Word. Thanks, fellas. I’m pretty sure it’s already a tusq nut, but I think one Luthier may have jacked it up. I put new strings on it just now and will see how it hold tomorrow at band jam.

I went back to my old Luthier and asked him his thoughts and he said “proper cut bone nut: done.” Then he said he doesn’t like the lube or graphite, but if he would use one over the other, it would be graphite.

Also, he said it’s always good to take 3-4 strings of wax floss and floss the nut grooves before putting the new strings back on. That’s his preference over the other two options.

Cheers.
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I will have to try the floss thing. But I would have thought that wax would be more sticky than graphite. Or is he saying that just to clean it?
 
I used to is graphite, then invested in Big Bends Nut Sauce. I really is highly effective
 
Have a professional luthier cut a bone nut. Much better than graphite. The big bends nut sauce is killer too.

Wind your strings like this in the video...(1:58 marker) they will NEVER go out of tune. They will only start losing stability/tuning when they're worn out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo5eCWQAXSA
 
bionicmark":34wn50j0 said:
Have a professional luthier cut a bone nut. Much better than graphite. The big bends nut sauce is killer too.

Wind your strings like this in the video...(1:58 marker) they will NEVER go out of tune. They will only start losing stability/tuning when they're worn out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo5eCWQAXSA
Click to expand...

Agree. Great way to wind the strings. ...I now have locking turners on all my guitars and that seems to help as well.

Also, I did change my strings this weekend and they're staying perfectly in tune. I had old strings that needed changing.

Thanks.
 
I hate locking tuners.

I string my fiddles that way too.
 
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