| |
String Tips
by Fingerstyle Productions®
|
This irritating little problem crops up from time to time. You're tuning and nothing happens then all of a sudden the string takes up (or lets down) the tension with a creak! The usual cause is the string snagging in the nut. Rather than taking a file to the nut - which can result in action problems such as buzzing, or rattling, instead, lubricate the nut by taking the string out of the groove and sliding the lead bit of a pencil backwards and forwards in the groove. When the groove is too thin, shave off a bit of the lead to produce graphite dust and work it into the 'bed' of the groove. The lead is graphite - a terrific, non greasy lubricant. |
|
Next time you change strings, curl both ends of the string gently but firmly over a rounded pencil. Avoid putting pressure on the junction where the twist meets the loop or it'll snap. This tip helps contour the looped end to the shape of the tailpiece making it more co-operative. At the other end, a broad curl helps when threading the string through the nose of the tailpiece (this doesn't apply to Price-like tailpieces which have individual slots) and avoids unsightly scratches to the pot. |
|
