Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
- RoséBear
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Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
I’ve been doing this for some months, but I’m starting to wonder if this is a bad idea. I use Burts Bees, put some on a toothpick and rub it in the slot.
I think it works well enough, but I notice after a show or something with heavy trem use, some of the chapstick in the saddles has turned dark/black. I suppose I’m worried that it’s heating up with use of the trem and for lack of better terms, “burning” the chapstick, possibly damaging the saddles. Does anyone else use chapstick?
I think it works well enough, but I notice after a show or something with heavy trem use, some of the chapstick in the saddles has turned dark/black. I suppose I’m worried that it’s heating up with use of the trem and for lack of better terms, “burning” the chapstick, possibly damaging the saddles. Does anyone else use chapstick?
- Horsefeather
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
I'd say you're definitely not burning anything or generating temperatures anywhere near that. My thought is that the color change is due to string oxidation getting picked up by the sticky material and/or general dirtiness of your hands being transferred to it. Not that I'm saying your hands are particularly dirty. They're just good at moving microscopic stuff from one thing to another.
- andy_tchp
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
Not 'burning' anything, but completely pointless.
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- Steadyriot.
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
It's not burning, just grime from your hands, strings and hardware.
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- thenewromance
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
Graphite seems to be a suitable lubricating agent for metal on metal contacts. You could use a pencil, or graphite powder from a hardware store.
- ChrisDesign
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
Buy some Spray White Lithium. Is perfect For metal on metal connections and doesn’t degrade. Heat proof and water proof.
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain
- jvin248
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
.
Greases collect dirt and grime which actually increase your friction. What do you put down on slippery ice? Sand. To give you grip.
(The black debris is not heat, it's debris rubbed off your strings/saddles plus any other junk falling in there).
Better option is hardware store dry graphite lock lube the nut slots, saddles, and other contact points. You can use HB/#2 pencil lead too.
If you get the lock lube, be careful to cut the applicator tip from the end very small or the graphite will gush out of it.
Also, when done fixing the guitar, go around your house/apartment and put graphite in all the exterior door locks (I'll put some on the key too and work that around in there). You will be amazed how pleasant it is coming home to a nice working lock.
.
Greases collect dirt and grime which actually increase your friction. What do you put down on slippery ice? Sand. To give you grip.
(The black debris is not heat, it's debris rubbed off your strings/saddles plus any other junk falling in there).
Better option is hardware store dry graphite lock lube the nut slots, saddles, and other contact points. You can use HB/#2 pencil lead too.
If you get the lock lube, be careful to cut the applicator tip from the end very small or the graphite will gush out of it.
Also, when done fixing the guitar, go around your house/apartment and put graphite in all the exterior door locks (I'll put some on the key too and work that around in there). You will be amazed how pleasant it is coming home to a nice working lock.
.
- adamrobertt
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
lol the Chapstick is just getting dirty. It also realllly isn't necessary to do this. The Mastery was designed with vibrato use in mind and the chrome plating on the saddles is self-lubricating. Personally I'd never gunk up my saddles like that.
- RoséBear
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
adamrobertt wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 7:39 amlol the Chapstick is just getting dirty. It also realllly isn't necessary to do this. The Mastery was designed with vibrato use in mind and the chrome plating on the saddles is self-lubricating. Personally I'd never gunk up my saddles like that.
I’m just a little paranoid about wrecking the saddles. I had a little bit of creaking in a previous mastery saddle. Used 200 grit abrasive cord, and it burned right through the hard chrome plating. So I’m afraid if I leave the saddles bare, the strings will carve into them the same
- Embenny
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
So you sanded off the chrome plating of a Mastery and are then putting wax on there? That's really unfortunate. That's doubling down on making sure you're increasing friction so that it doesn't work as intended.
As was mentioned, graphite is the ideal lubricant for guitar parts in terms of function and safety. Stick with that.
As was mentioned, graphite is the ideal lubricant for guitar parts in terms of function and safety. Stick with that.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- RoséBear
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
No, I tried to get rid of a burr on the saddle, very lightly used the Mitchell’s abrasive cord, and the brass shined through the chrome. So I bought a new saddle.mbene085 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 10:14 amSo you sanded off the chrome plating of a Mastery and are then putting wax on there? That's really unfortunate. That's doubling down on making sure you're increasing friction so that it doesn't work as intended.
As was mentioned, graphite is the ideal lubricant for guitar parts in terms of function and safety. Stick with that.
This saddle I only put chapstick in. Will the graphite from a mechanical pencil do the job? What is the specific graphite you guys use from the store so I can pick it up
- Embenny
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
Oh, it's a new saddle? I wouldn't lubricate it. I never have on my Mastery bridges.
You don't want to just draw on the saddle with a pencil. Graphite lubricants are suspensions of powdered graphite. Some people advocate making their own by powdering graphite using a mechanical pencil and sandpaper, then mixing it with vaseline. But places like Stewmac sell graphite lubricant, and one container lasts forever, so I'd just stick with that.
You don't want to just draw on the saddle with a pencil. Graphite lubricants are suspensions of powdered graphite. Some people advocate making their own by powdering graphite using a mechanical pencil and sandpaper, then mixing it with vaseline. But places like Stewmac sell graphite lubricant, and one container lasts forever, so I'd just stick with that.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- RoséBear
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
The reason I lubricated in the first place was because the strings were squeaking on the saddles. Most notably the high e and b, and low E and A.mbene085 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 10:40 amOh, it's a new saddle? I wouldn't lubricate it. I never have on my Mastery bridges.
You don't want to just draw on the saddle with a pencil. Graphite lubricants are suspensions of powdered graphite. Some people advocate making their own by powdering graphite using a mechanical pencil and sandpaper, then mixing it with vaseline. But places like Stewmac sell graphite lubricant, and one container lasts forever, so I'd just stick with that.
It’s definitely not the nut or string tree, nor is it the setup. The bridge sits close to the body as it should.
- Horsefeather
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
Or switch to a roller bridge and be forever done with worrying about kludges..
- ChrisDesign
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Re: Using Chapstick to Lubricate (Mastery) Saddles?
Nut sauce anyone?
BIG BENDS NUT SAUCE APPLICATOR 0.5ML Guitars accessories Polish & care https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SHQ1QC/ ... rEbDMZDJZZ
BIG BENDS NUT SAUCE APPLICATOR 0.5ML Guitars accessories Polish & care https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000SHQ1QC/ ... rEbDMZDJZZ
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain