Lubricating Tuners

SimonC

I've noticed the closed back Vinage tuners on my PRS McCarty have become ever so slightly stiff for my liking.

I notice that there is a small hole in each of the tuner covers, presumably for lubricating purposes.
Any ideas what sort of lubricant (if any) might do the job?
I've seen a Stewmac article where he used a small syringe filled with petroleum jelly (Vaseline).

Jack_

Durex Play.

SimonC

Jack_ said:

Durex Play.

What flavour?

ICBM

I use standard general-purpose grease, like Castrol LM. You need a small syringe to get it in - the one you get with 'Big Bends Nut Sauce' nut lubricant is ideal, and I strongly suspect the grease you get in it isn't much different either… and since even one tube is enough to last several years of nut work you could probably just use that.

SimonC

Thanks for that, the Nut Sauce sounds like a good idea.
Would you bother trying to clean out the old grease it first - I guess that would mean disassembling the tuners, though?

ICBM

SimonC said:

Would you bother trying to clean out the old grease it first - I guess that would mean disassembling the tuners, though?

No - if they're the Kluson-style ones you can't open them up without bending back metal tabs. I would only even consider it if there's evidence that grit has got in, eg if the guitar has been on a beach or something. If they're just a bit dry it's not necessary at all.

earwighoney

Sewing Machine Oil works well.  

Philly_Q

Here are a couple of good tips from Dan Erlewine:

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Guitar_Tuning_Machine_Installation_and_Repair_Inform/How_to_clean_and_lube_dirty_old_guitar_tuners.html

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Guitar_Tuning_Machine_Installation_and_Repair_Inform/Lubricating_guitar_tuners.html

ICBM

Something remarkable I found out about Dan Erlewine recently - before becoming probably the most knowlegeable repair expert in the guitar world, in the mid-1960s he was in a band with Iggy Pop, and then Jesse Crawford who was later with the MC5. Must have been interesting times!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prime_Movers_(Michigan_band)

octatonic

I use 3 in 1 oil.

WezV

octatonic said:

I use 3 in 1 oil.

same here, dripped into the hole with a toothpick, and turned loads of time to distribute

ICBM

Thinner oils like that are OK for cleaning, but I would still follow up with some grease as the oil dissipates pretty quickly.

polotska

ICBM said:

Something remarkable I found out about Dan Erlewine recently - before becoming probably the most knowlegeable repair expert in the guitar world, in the mid-1960s he was in a band with Iggy Pop, and then Jesse Crawford who was later with the MC5. Must have been interesting times!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prime_Movers_(Michigan_band)

Mike Bloomfield acquired his '59 Les Paul in a trade with Dan Erlewine, as well—for a goldtop and cash, if I remember correctly.

Philly_Q

polotska said:

ICBM said:

Something remarkable I found out about Dan Erlewine recently - before becoming probably the most knowlegeable repair expert in the guitar world, in the mid-1960s he was in a band with Iggy Pop, and then Jesse Crawford who was later with the MC5. Must have been interesting times!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prime_Movers_(Michigan_band)

Mike Bloomfield acquired his '59 Les Paul in a trade with Dan Erlewine, as well—for a goldtop and cash, if I remember correctly.

I like Dan Erlewine.  I always enjoyed his page in Guitar Player.  Very interesting guy.