Members steve mac Posted August 11, 2014 Members Share Posted August 11, 2014 So I had trouble with a G string constantly going out of tune, particularly after a series of bends. Checked all what I knew, which wasn't much and then decided it was maybe the nut needed adjusting as this was the only thing left to try. As no tech was available, I went on line and saw suggestions to lubricate the nut obviously there was propriety lube, but not available here, others suggested graphite from a pencil which I deemed to messy. Finally a web page suggested Chapstick, so a quick and surreptitious search of the missus' make up bag later and a tiny dab applied to each groove. Result marvelous, absolutely fixed the problem and will now be part of my sting changing routine. I am sure this is old news to many if not all here, but led me to thinking what handy hints or tips do you wish you had known years ago in relation to either guitar maintenance or performing? Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 11, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 11, 2014 Things You Wish Someone Had Told You Years Ago buy Apple stock.... don't sell that '65 'Cuda with the 318... as to the guitar stuff...I put a dab of Vaseline [i used to use water based lube, but it didn't last long enough] on the bridge saddle grooves of my Stratocaster if I plan on using the tremolo bar, and I do plan on it...as for nut lube, same thing... just a tiny bit of petrolatum does wonders, especially on brass nuts (like a brass monkey has ) Put strap locks on all your electric guitars....I do, and aside from a strap failure, have not had an issue in three decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted August 11, 2014 Members Share Posted August 11, 2014 I wish someone had told me that if I studied chemistry, at 60 I'd be in a better position to pursue music than if I studied music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob Dey Posted August 11, 2014 Members Share Posted August 11, 2014 There's a lot of advice that would have been beneficial nearly 30 years ago when I decided to to a solo act. Keep a smile on your face even when the audience is slowly headed out the door - would be good. Don't we usually let that bring us down? I always have. As a result, those that haven't left see a sour looking "entertainer". I've used graphite and it is dirty looking. I had a silicon spray that I used for a while, but lately I've let my B string go sharp when using my B-bender. I'll have to try chapstick. However, strings don't seem to ring out as good when applying jelly or waxy type of lubricant. Is there graphite in different colors besides charcoal gray? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 13, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 13, 2014 chalk.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted August 13, 2014 Members Share Posted August 13, 2014 Things You Wish Someone Had Told You Years Ago buy Apple stock.... don't sell that '65 'Cuda with the 318... as to the guitar stuff...I put a dab of Vaseline [i used to use water based lube, but it didn't last long enough] on the bridge saddle grooves of my Stratocaster if I plan on using the tremolo bar, and I do plan on it...as for nut lube, same thing... just a tiny bit of petrolatum does wonders, especially on brass nuts (like a brass monkey has ) Put strap locks on all your electric guitars....I do, and aside from a strap failure, have not had an issue in three decades. Don't trade your Mesa Boogie for a stupid Marshall power amp that is now broken and will cost more to fix than it's worth. Don't drop your Les Paul on stage, the headstock will go boom, which leads to.... Strap locks good, although IIRC I did have one self destruct. However, I still use them on my gigging guitars. I also carry an extra strap. Had a failure on a gig, and had to make a strap out of duct tape, which leads to; always bring duct or gaff tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members miden Posted August 14, 2014 Members Share Posted August 14, 2014 Become an accountant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 15, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 15, 2014 Become an accountant meh...a lawyer maybe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MDLMUSIC Posted August 15, 2014 Members Share Posted August 15, 2014 Always rekey a song so you can hit the high notes; otherwise you look like a doofus when you open your mouth onstage and nothing comes out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve mac Posted August 15, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 15, 2014 Wipe the strings after playing, they last longer. Plus fingers sticking on the strings? Rub them in your eyebrows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 16, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 16, 2014 fingers sticking on the strings? Rub them in your eyebrows. okay, first, I don't recall my fingers sticking to the strings......but eyebrows? Because they are like steel wool? More 'splainin' Lucy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve mac Posted August 16, 2014 Author Members Share Posted August 16, 2014 Doing slides sometimes my fingers don't well...slide, or at least as easily as I would like. Now I know there are propriety products out there for this like Finger Ease, but seriously a quick rub through the eyebrows and stings are like ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Howie22 Posted August 16, 2014 Members Share Posted August 16, 2014 Doing slides sometimes my fingers don't well...slide, or at least as easily as I would like. Now I know there are propriety products out there for this like Finger Ease, but seriously a quick rub through the eyebrows and stings are like ice. Greasy eyebrows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 16, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 16, 2014 or lice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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