Tip for all you string benders.

Hi fellow pickers, I am probably one of the oldest members (Age wise) well past the sell by date at 67. I spent over 45 years as a pro and picked up a few tips along the way... I am still learning new things and no doubt will go on doing so.

Here is a tip I would like to share with you.

If you do any amount of string bending you will know that it is good for the bent string to return to pitch without delay however minute.

I would sometimes get slight string hang just marginally when bending when I was playing , I then came up with the following idea.

Take a pencil and rub it across the nut backwards and forwards so that the graphite comes off and rests in the nut slots. If you like you can also hold the string out of the nut and apply the pencil, this can also be done at the bridge and string retainers on headstock. I have even rubbed my strings with the pencil enhancing ease of sliding. Sure your fingers may get a little black but it comes off easy with soap and water.

The great thing is you only need to carry a pencil in your gig bag to apply whenever needed. If you are a bender you will definitely notice improvement.

Keep on Pickin' & Grinnin'

Ohhh, such a great tip while so simple. How come I didn't think it?

This is exactly what I've done for a few decades, the pencil is all I've needed, although I did put a graphite nut on one of my strats & I have a Fender roller nut that I might put on a different one.

I know no one here will think much of this, but my great uncle actually invented the roller nut for stringed instruments & patented it in Britain in 1898, although he mainly intended it to be used for the banjos he built at the time.

Anyway, the pencil is the easiest, cheapest & if it doesn't help, you need some nut work..

Hi Ol Bender, You should be proud of your Grandad, how many on this site or other sites have invented anything that has been commercialised.? My Dad used to say "Give credit where credit is due" I'm 67 and I still remember it. Strangely enough some of the best ideas are normally simple, so that you say to yourself, why didn't I think of that...Just think of the modest paper clip........there are untold numbers in use around the world ....oftentimes, "Necessity is the mother of invention"

Keep bending them thar strings partner.

Regards Fenderphil.

Excellent tip Phil. Just that technique alone can transform a guitar from one that your constantly tuning while you play.
I too have used that pencil method for many years. I always did it under the string trees and on the bridge as well. I've always used a floating tremolo since I bought my strat in 74. That's what the instruction manuals showed so that's what I did! If a floating tremolo has even the slightest bind at least 1 string will go out of tune if you use it. Thats 1 of 2 main reasons people "block" their tremolo and don't use it. A few years ago I came upon a lubricant that actually works even better for me. (There's also commercial "nutsauce" but admittedly I've never tried it.)
I've been a truck driver for many years and we need to "lube" a lot of little things. The common product used for that is WD40 or some similar silicone stuff, but it evaporates out and just leaves behind the dirt&grime that it collects. We now use "Duralube" which we refer to as "yellow snot". It is great for all kinds of lubricating needs and lasts a long time. Only a (reeaally)tiny amount is needed. For guitar use I spray a little onto or into something and then use a toothpick to "dab" the key spots mentioned as well as all connecting points on my tremolo..ie claw to screw; spring to claw; spring to block; and the 6 mounting screws. Use a cleanex to dab away any extra.
It comes to mind so I'll drone on that any grooving of the nut/bridge from the wound strings can also cause tuning hassle.
And the second main reason for blocking the trem is because if you break a string during performance... ALL the rest will be out of tune... although there is a way that....getting off topic sorry!!

Hi Stratmanshow, All good tips... I must admit I have never used "Yellow Snot" ha ha. I know of duralube...(As a general lubricant)As you say its what works for you...however, the more options you have the likelyhood of success is much higher, also I played pro for over 45 years and I am still learning new things all the time. I used to joke with my wife that I had only ever made one mistake....Once I thought I was wrong but it turned out I was right. ha ha.

Regards Fenderphil