String Trees

[lincsman]

I have just changed the strings one one of my Strats,and as I have gone up a string gauage I have lubed the nut and saddles.

As I was doing the intonation ,it got me thinking I have lubed just about everything except the string trees is there anything for this??

[JohnnyB]

I'd think graphite powder, the kind used for unsticking locks, would be the ticket. I've used it on nuts.

[Bennyboy-UK]

I recall reading that graphite powder mixed into a little bit of petroleum jelly works well for string trees and nuts.

However, as ever, I'm happy to be corrected...

[RobB]

linc, I use Big Bend's Nut Sauce on my Strat and Newport.

I have a Graphtech string tree on the Strat, which helps with decreasing the friction over a stock, metal tree. I lube the tree's slots, the nut slots, and EVERY mechanical point on the Callaham trem: spring claw, claw screws (around the heads), springs (both round and bent hooks) the spring holes in the string block and the baseplate screws. Seems excessive, but my Strat rarely goes out of tune and I bend a LOT on .009s.

[lincsman]

Thanks Guys for your help ,I have some Nut Sauce on the way

[Jeff R]

My strat lube of choice is Chap Stick. Cheap, readily available and portable - I keep a tube in my G&L Legacy's case all the time. I just smear a line into the nut slots each string change. That guitar came factory with a graphite string tree. I've never lubed it because I've never noted any problems tied to it in over 10 years, so it must be doing the job well.

[BadgerDave]

I replace the stock tuners with Gotoh "Kluson Style" adjustable post locking tuners. The posts adjust low enough to eliminate the need for string trees completely. One of my piccadillos - I can't abide anything that interferes with the string path between the nut and tuner post - string trees, deflector posts, cigarette butts . . .