Nut Lubrication vs. Proper Setup?

polaris26 · #1 August 26th, 2007

Hello,

I recently purchased an Eastwood Guitars P90 Special. It was set up before shipping with 10 gauge strings. After receiving it, I decided I wanted to use heavier strings and I had a pack of GHS nickel 11's so I put them on. After getting the intonation, bridge, and truss rod set up reasonably well, I liked the way it played and sounded.

The problem was that I couldn't get the strings to stay in tune after bending, especially the higher 3 strings. Last night I broke the high E string, which I normally don't have a problem with on my other guitars.

I was told to buy some "Big Bends Nut Sauce" to lubricate the nut and this would fix the whole problem. My question is, isn't this like putting a band-aid on the problem? I am wondering if I need to take the guitar to a tech and have them maybe put a different nut or file this one properly and get the whole thing set up for the strings I want to use.

I know some people seem to swear by the nut lube approach, but I would think a properly set-up guitar wouldn't need lube. I would be interested in your opinions.

thanks,
Dave

allthumbs · #2 August 26th, 2007

My preference would also be to have it set up to remove the problem

Stratrat · #3 August 26th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

My preference would also be to have it set up to remove the problem

+1. I'd rather have it done right than rely on a temporary fix.

Live Stone · #4 August 26th, 2007

Agree with all of the above. Why fight it when you can fix it.

starsailor · #5 August 27th, 2007

It would probably be wise to get the tech to set it up again for you, it won't cost that much and will save you money in the long run, temporary fixes are what they are better to go for a solution that has a long term benefit.

JessThrasher · #6 August 27th, 2007

Just get a setup done. Don't try to do it yourself because if you screw up then you'll end up paying more for a repair than a setup. Not lways the case though.

polaris26 · #7 August 28th, 2007

wow thanks everyone- pretty much confirmed what I already suspected, but always good to have more opinions. I was surprised to see nobody in favor of the lube approach. I will just have to find myself a good tech now!

thanks,

Dave