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Post subject: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:33 am
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Hi all,

I have a special edition FMT HH with a graphite nut. Despite having a graphite nut the G and B strings still tend to catch and ping and won't stay in tune.

I'm guessing this might be caused by the string tree which is pretty standard. Any thoughts? Would it be worth replacing the tree for a roller type?


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:12 am
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First you have to fix the string guide in the nut. You must see if it is too tight before.
If it is too tight no string tee will work well.

I have many guitars, few Strat with standard T and no graphite nut with no problem. Nut are well set up.

See a qualified luthier.


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:09 am
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Well yeh. But for a high spec, quite expensive, Fender with a graphite nut one wouldn't really expect it to catch. I have many cheaper guitars with plastic nuts which don't have this problem. Pretty poor really. Why put on a graphite nut which is supposed to eliminate this problem but cut the slot too small or use poor string tees?


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 4:16 am
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You have to check carefully nut and string T and sometimes you must be experienced with those parts to see if they are wrong or not.


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:08 am
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Many of these nuts are cut too deep, or become so over time. The advertising point for "graphite" nuts, that they're self-lubricating, is also their downside, in that the grooves wear down.
If the string disappears into the nut, it's time to either file down the top of the nut to expose the top of the strings, or to replace it. My advice is replacing it with a harder nut, like bone or Tusq (but not Tusq XL which is also self-lubricating and thus self-eroding).


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:16 am
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If a part is self lubricate it should not wear.

Or it is not realy a self lubricant part :?


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 7:15 am
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stratele52 wrote:
If a part is self lubricate it should not wear.

Or it is not realy a self lubricant part :?


Think it over. Where does the lubrication come from?

There is only one place it can come from, and that's the nut material itself. That's why they're called self-lubricating and not lubrication-free.

In the case of graphite nuts, the lubricant is graphite mixed with the plastic. Graphite as in the same material used in pencils. In the case of Tusq XL nuts, it's teflon instead of graphite.
In either case, the string rubs off tiny particles, which lubricate. To expose more of the lubricant, the nut material has to be soft enough to wear down too. And the groove slowly becomes deeper.
This is by design. These aren't nuts designed to last forever, but to slowly wear down and provide lubrication while doing so.

TANSTAAFL, and the trade-off for the string sliding easier on top of the nut is that unless the nut is maintained, and the top filed down as the groove deepens, it will be more prone to pinching, where the sides of the string are pushed against. Graphite nuts in particular are prone to this.


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 8:37 am
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Thank's for explanation.

If the nut need to be soft for self lubricate and won't last , I would never buy this product.


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:04 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Thank's for explanation.

If the nut need to be soft for self lubricate and won't last , I would never buy this product.


Oh, the graphite nuts still last a few years - just not as long as harder nuts. And you won't have to take a pencil to the slots every time you change strings to get some lubrication, but need to file the top more often.

But I agree in that the trade-off is not worth it for everyone.
Real bone is my favorite, and it's what I ask my luthier to change to when I do fret dressing or otherwise the nut is worn.


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:23 am
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arth1 wrote:

Real bone is my favorite, and it's what I ask my luthier to change to when I do fret dressing or otherwise the nut is worn.



+1


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:16 pm
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I had a similar problem on a JA90 and was able to use the graphite nut that came on that guitar as far as the particular model you have,I encountered more problems down at the hardtail bridge on mine. Lots of good advice here. On all of mine,I do
keep a flat type carpenters pencil and scrape off some of the lead (graphite) onto bridges and nuts whatever the material they are made of. It works!
kuvash


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 9:04 pm
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kuvash wrote:
I had a similar problem on a JA90 and was able to use the graphite nut that came on that guitar as far as the particular model you have,I encountered more problems down at the hardtail bridge on mine.

That bridge does seem a bit strange. A Gretch Adjusto-matic placed at a slight angle to get the string spacing right, but without the saddle grooves being angled too. It seems like the strings will have to snag a bit due to the angle. I'd probably lightly file the saddles just to prevent that.

And yes, a carpenter's pencil is what I use too. Much cheaper than buying graphite powder, and it's the exact same thing. For the wound strings, I also draw a bit on the string itself where it passes the nut and saddles. It's just a few seconds extra, and helps prevent snagging.


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 9:44 pm
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Well,arth1....that is exactly what I do with the pencil,
rub the pencil on the wound strings and they hold
the graphite, scrape a little in the string grooves.
The other problem was rectified by sanding and smoothing each saddle...but they still get a touch of
pencil lead,I even do the same on my acoustics.
kuvash


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2016 12:56 am
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Good recipe ; Use graphite or pencil lead mix with petroleum jelly .

Jelly will keep graphite on the nut


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Post subject: Re: String Catching with Graphite Nut
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2016 9:27 am
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One question though. Are you still using the same
gauge string that came on that FMT Special Edition
from the factory?.009's for example,not gone up a
size to .010's. Just wondering.
kuvash


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