ossyrocks Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 My P bass tuners are a little stiff. I've read all kinds of stuff on the internet (haven't we all?) about this and I'm still not sure what to use. Most advice seems to be what NOT to use, WD40, 3 in 1, vaseline etc, because either it won't work, will damage the finish, or will just attract more gunk. I've seen that some luthiers like to use Teflon/PTFE based lubricant, like the one in the link below, but I'm struggling to find anywhere to buy that. https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/supplies/cleaners-and-lubricants/tri-flow-pin-point-lubricator/ What do you guys use? Cheers, Rob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 "A little stiff" doesn't sound like a problem to me. My uneducated guess would be that lubricating the tuners could cause them to slip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 18 minutes ago, chris_b said: "A little stiff" doesn't sound like a problem to me. My uneducated guess would be that lubricating the tuners could cause them to slip. Well. ok, pretty bloody stiff, but usable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Yes, lubricate them, they need it. Occasionally. Use some 'dry' lube (TriFlow etc.) on the gearing and the bushings. For the hoops retaining the worm I use Loctite Superlube in the pen oiler... also good for enclosed Klusons, bridge screws etc. Do it once and forget for a few years... avoid anything too runny as it leaks everyehere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted February 8, 2022 Author Share Posted February 8, 2022 14 minutes ago, Bigguy2017 said: Yes, lubricate them, they need it. Occasionally. Use some 'dry' lube (TriFlow etc.) on the gearing and the bushings. For the hoops retaining the worm I use Loctite Superlube in the pen oiler... also good for enclosed Klusons, bridge screws etc. Do it once and forget for a few years... avoid anything too runny as it leaks everyehere. Cheers for that. Where did you buy the tri-flow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velarian Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 I have some Gotoh machine heads and the blurb that came with them recommends Silicon Oil or Cohesive Oil (whatever that is) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 4 hours ago, ossyrocks said: Cheers for that. Where did you buy the tri-flow? Amazon the last time - or the local bike shop. Finish Line Teflon Plus Dry Lube is an alternative. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 I lubricate my nut slots with a pencil if that counts? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 Never have and not expecting to do so very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 Yes. A very tiny amount of silicone grease..........being vey careful to avoid any contamination of the lacquer. Silicone and paints don't play nicely together! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mybass Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 Graphite dust may help you along, used on my double bass tuning pegs by my repairer. https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/lubricants/7031086?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-CSS_UK_EN_Facilities_Cleaning_%26_Maintenance_Whoop-_-Lubricants_Whoop+(2)-_-7031086&matchtype=&pla-339706278395&gclid=CjwKCAiA6Y2QBhAtEiwAGHybPQUfLCoENK-QBfVahy121oFvKcJCHrK9c5KRFrUjpFEZS4tCmyataxoCR5oQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted February 9, 2022 Author Share Posted February 9, 2022 Thanks for all the advice chaps. I’ll look into it. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skychaserhigh Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Sewing machine oil works a treat and only requires a tiny amount. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 27, 2022 Share Posted February 27, 2022 I bought my Ibby in early 1990 & never have I lubricated the machine heads. I don't know for def, but I would have thought that lubeing them would make them easier to turn, which could potentially allow your strings to detune themselves? Oh, I've also got my first bass, which I bought in 1984 & never lubed those tuners up either. Even though the bass is in bits & the pegs in a toolbox, they still work like they should (I was in that box a couple of days ago & checked them). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted February 27, 2022 Share Posted February 27, 2022 (edited) £6.50 from Amazon I use it on the nut slots for the E string with my dtuners but a bit in the machine heads won’t hurt either. Be careful not to use anything that can run into the peg holes and cause the wood to swell. good for locks too 😄 Edited February 27, 2022 by Bunion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted February 27, 2022 Share Posted February 27, 2022 (edited) Just noticed @mybass has a better deal. Actually it’s not unless you spend £30 you don’t get free postage and it works out over £9 Amazon is free delivery Edited February 27, 2022 by Bunion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Phillips Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 A quick thought, are all your tuners stiff? If it's only some the cause of stiffness could be the keys have been bashed so that the key-post might be slightly bent thereby rubbing their keepers excessively. I have this problem with one of my vintage basses- have removed the offending tuner and tried straightening in an engineer's vice with limited results (without damaging it further!). Either way I do oil the machines once in a while, I'm ashamed to write this but use motor oil, even grease in the ferrules. There isn't any evidence of damage to the EBs, T'birds or Jazz finish. Roger Phillips, Kendal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Blimey, been playing bass 40+ years and owned some of my basses for 30 years and I've never once oiled/greased my tuners... I can only imagine how good they'd be if I had! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 45 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: Blimey, been playing bass 40+ years and owned some of my basses for 30 years and I've never once oiled/greased my tuners... I can only imagine how good they'd be if I had! Me neither. I do remember some bloke on alt.guitar.bass going on about lubricating his machineheads and he was wholeheartedly derided for even raising the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beans-on-toast Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 I’ve purchased PTFE lubes from box box hardware stores. Graphite is good. I also use Big Bends Nut Sauce on tuners. It works well on nuts. The key is very little lubricant is needed, use it sparingly. Closed tuners have a small oiling hole on them. Many don’t realize what that port is for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Having found Axe Wax super great for my back door bolt I'd say a tiny tiny drop of that would likely sort your ears out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Here’s a thought if you really feel you must lube your pegs. If your tuners are open back, degrease them & then use a dry lube. This will reduce any gunk build up that you will get with a grease or jelly. If they’re closed & you don’t know what lube to use, then it may be worth giving them a clean out & using fresh grease. Tuners are gears, grease is normally used for that purpose, not oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 (edited) I use very sparing amounts of a moly based paste. Does not attract dirt, fluff, loose coins, etc, and being moly it has a molecular affinity with steel so stays where you put it. Edited March 14, 2022 by Bassfinger Was getting lubed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Are your tuners lubricated ? Would you like us to assign someone to lubricate your tuners ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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