What do y’all use to lube your nuts?

[Jakedog]

I’ve always used graphite. Just regular #2 pencil innards.

It’s always worked plenty well, but I’m really enjoying this Bigsby on my new Gretsch and wondering if there isn’t something just a hair more effective. The graphite is really good, but it’s not great.

I’ve heard of nut sauce, and may order some. But I won’t bother if it’s not definitively better than graphite.

Any old school remedies I may not be aware of? Specs say the nut is bone. Looks like bone to me.

 

[mexicanyella]

I like a dry nut, myself. Not helpful, I know. But.

The thread title feels like home though...right in line with the dialog that followed concerning me using the guitarist’s Johnson P-bass copy one time.

 

[Geoff738]

That’s a rather personal question isn’t it?

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[Brent Hutto]

Point of an HB pencil, I rub it in each slot roughly every second or third time I change the strings.

When I got my Telecaster I took it to the dealer a couple weeks later and had their tech fiddle one of the nut slots down a few thousandths to get it just right for how I like it. While he was at it he also smoothed/polished the other nut slots.

Before giving it back to me he put a tiny speck of some kind of lube in each nut slot and where each string crossed its saddle. I asked him what kind of lube he used and should I maybe get some. He just laughed. He said since I don't have a tremolo I don't need any lube at all but he always puts some on there anyway because everyone expects him to.

 

[d barham]

Pencil lead used at my house.

 

[StevesBoogie]

Good timing on this question. I'm interested to hear any stories about using good ole Vaseline and a q-tip in the nut grooves and bridge contact points. I purchased an inexpensive Jr style guitar this week, and my weekend project was to give it a setup and string change and Vaseline, until I stripped a locking thread on the wraparound bridge, LOL. Project delayed for now.

 

[BB]

Gold Bond works...

 

[Vegetable Man]

White Lithium Grease. Works great, cheap, a tube will last you a long time

 

[Kandinskyesque]

My special anti-batwing formula.
Aka a drop of furniture wax.

 

[Killing Floor]

Hmmm, too easy

 

[corliss1]

Always done pencil lead here too.

 

[telekaster1999]

I've never lubed my nuts, seemed to work ok the way they come.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

GraphTech PT500000 TUSQ XL Black Self-Lubricating Slotted Nut, Fender Style
$12 @ Amazon and never worry about this again.

 

[MickM]

I’ve always used graphite. Just regular #2 pencil innards.

It’s always worked plenty well, but I’m really enjoying this Bigsby on my new Gretsch and wondering if there isn’t something just a hair more effective. The graphite is really good, but it’s not great.

I’ve heard of nut sauce, and may order some. But I won’t bother if it’s not definitively better than graphite.

Any old school remedies I may not be aware of? Specs say the nut is bone. Looks like bone to me.

I took the plunge and bought a couple tubes of Nut Sauce a few years ago and love it. It's easy to apply and if you look around when buying it you won't get stung pricewise. Some vendors charge the same for a .5cc tube as others sell a 1.5cc tube.
(Sweetwater sells 1.5cc tube for 13.89 that should last a year depending how often you re-string) A very little dab'l do ya just like Brylcream.

Big Bends | Sweetwater

Buy your Big Bends gear from Sweetwater and enjoy ✅ FREE Shipping and ✅ FREE Sweetwater Support.

www.sweetwater.com

 

[bobio]

D'Addario Lubrikit Friction Remover For Nut, Tremolo, and Bridge

String Lubricant

www.sweetwater.com

 

[srvy]

Grafite and never been particular about the lead hardness. I do usually use an old golf scoring pencil as they give away and it is soft and coats the nut grooves fine.

 

[bobio]

.

 

[Knows3Chords]

Must, resist, posting, joke.....

#2 pencil.

 

[Jakedog]

View attachment 1073104

GraphTech PT500000 TUSQ XL Black Self-Lubricating Slotted Nut, Fender Style
$12 @ Amazon and never worry about this again.

The nut is cut great and works well. I really don’t want to replace it until I have to. Plus I’m positive that one wouldn’t fit a Gretsch jet.

 

[Jakedog]

Good timing on this question. I'm interested to hear any stories about using good ole Vaseline and a q-tip in the nut grooves and bridge contact points. I purchased an inexpensive Jr style guitar this week, and my weekend project was to give it a setup and string change and Vaseline, until I stripped a locking thread on the wraparound bridge, LOL. Project delayed for now.

I’ve always been leery of Vaseline because it’s petroleum based. Petroleum based lubricants can definitely break down destroy some materials. Not being a chemist or whatever I have no idea which materials might be in danger, but I do know that petroleum is a no-no with latex.