Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

Sorg

New member
I've heard that chapstick is way better for the nut than pencil? Any comments on this? Is chapstick "bad" for the nut/wood in any way?
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

I can't imagine why it would be any good. I thought the idea was to make the strings slip easily through the nut which graphite would do - but chapstick is kind of sticky :eek13:

At any rate, isn't chapstick some kind of petroleum product? And I believe this could have an adverse effect on some materials - especially plastics. So I guess it would depend on the material.

I use Big Bends Nut Sauce
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

Believe you me, a Pencil in the nut HURTS!!!


I'll take chapstick any day of the week


:D
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

Believe you me, a Pencil in the nut HURTS!!!


I'll take chapstick any day of the week


:D

:laugh2:

Lipstick with a female applicator is so much better.




:D

Everybody watch, this thread is tumbling downwards at an alarming rate. :laugh2:
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

I'd suggest a different option: get a graphtech or earvana nut: both are slippery.

EDIT: By the way, graphite is a good slippery material, I'd use it before chapstick. Besides, even professional vioinist and other stringed instrumentalists who play instruments with a string nut use graphite. A #2 pencil comes with graphite, hence it's also very easy to get some graphite: usually you got a #2 pencil on your music stand :D
 
Last edited:
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

I used Chapstick once- it gummed up the winds in the wound string and kind of deadened it. It didn't work for me, but I've heard of lots of people that it worked out great for. I go for either graphite powder or pencil lead.
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

Actually, John Suhr swears buy it. He says pencil led stains the nuts after time, and he just likes the way it works better. Somewhere on his website it says, "If you're playing one of my guitars, it has chapstick in the nut slots."
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

Actually, John Suhr swears buy it. He says pencil led stains the nuts after time, and he just likes the way it works better. Somewhere on his website it says, "If you're playing one of my guitars, it has chapstick in the nut slots."

Something that can breakdown like that I can see getting ground into the nut to a depth that's going to require removal of the material in order to get rid of it.

But then, how many of us are really THAT concerned about what the nut under the string looks like? The argument would be if it works, why mess with it?

Personally, I prefer Tri-Flow. It's Teflon-based and works wonders. I spray it on unwaxed dental floss and run it through to clean it out and then again to give it a good solid coating.
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

I've heard that chapstick is way better for the nut than pencil? Any comments on this? Is chapstick "bad" for the nut/wood in any way?

You know what is the best, a luthier with skills, a nut file, some sandpaper, and a few various tools. If that isnt good enough, you need a Floyd Rose period!

Now, quit macgyverizing your guitar!:smack: You are putting a band Aid on a bigger problem that requires a bit more attention than a quick fix.
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

It use to be graphite for the nut and chapstick for strat string retainers. I first heard of this 30+ years ago. Get some Nut Sauce, or white graphite powder and mix it into vaseline for a white nut. KY jelly is water based so you may prefer it to Vaseline.
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

If I put anything on it it's a drop of liquid teflon in each slot. I'm not sure how long it lasts.
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

I thought Chapstick had some kind of wax in it. I know it's an old hotrodders trick to put chapstick on your carb gaskets so they don't stick when you take them off again.
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

It use to be graphite for the nut and chapstick for strat string retainers. I first heard of this 30+ years ago. Get some Nut Sauce, or white graphite powder and mix it into vaseline for a white nut. KY jelly is water based so you may prefer it to Vaseline.

Going into a store to buy KY would be a little akaward. Especially when you tell them "It's for my nuts.":laugh2:
 
Re: Chapstick better than pencil in the nut?

Mephis said:
Going into a store to buy KY would be a little akaward. Especially when you tell them "It's for my nuts.":laugh2:

LOL +sig

Besides, anything is better than a pencil in the nuts :(
 
Back
Top