sixdegrees Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hi all, I've just fitted a Hipshot D-tuner to my Fender P. I've got 4 wraps around the E string and when I tune up it's fine. But there's quite a bit of free play in the tuning peg when tuning down. Is this because of too many wraps, causing the sting to bind into position? Should I re-string with only 2 or 3 wraps? Or could it be a 'settling-in' issue that will sort itself out over time? I've also noticed that the spoke has slightly cut into the plate. Is this the issue, and do I have to loosen it off a little, or is this again something that happens with a newly fitted tuning peg? Any advice very welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Pics please. The secret to a perfectly functioning xtender is lubrication. I use vaseline on mine with a touch of graphite dust in the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixdegrees Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 (edited) Would you believe I've lent my camera out for the day?! Do you mean vaseline on the contact part of the lever? Done that. And graphite dust on the nut. It seems to have settled down now but I am wondering if there should be a washer or lubrication between the gear and the back plate? As this seemed to be the issue of grinding/almost locking in place in when tightly in tune. It's not so much the fact that it's an xtender, just that it grinds as I approach 'E' and the gear digs into the swivel plate. Edited August 1, 2012 by sixdegrees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Yep lubricate all contact points especially between the main plates. There should be a plastic washer in there too which functions as a dry lubricating spacer, give it a helping hand with some vaseline too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixdegrees Posted August 1, 2012 Author Share Posted August 1, 2012 Thank you so much. Off to get me screwdriver, and a pot of the stuff that makes the missus squirm at the sight of... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiipopes Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 (edited) With all due respect, vaseline/cosmoline/petroleum jelly/gel lubricants can seep into the headstock and cause wood deterioration. I absolutely agree with graphite or teflon powder lubricants. All contact points and string contact points, especially the nut slot, must be lubricated with graphite or teflon powder. Moreover, the nut slot, in addition to being lubricated, must be absolutely smooth and burnished, with a slight back bevel and clean "witness point" at the front of the edge of the nut so the string will intonate properly but not bind or hang when engaging the HipShot. The E string, with use of the HipShot, will see more stress than the rest of the set, so I recommend purchasing extra E strings in addition to sets so when tone, intonation, or ease of use become an issue, but the rest of the strings sound fine, that the E string can be swapped out. Oh, yes: I'd say trim one of the windings. Maybe three instead of four, or just enough to make sure to keep the silk leader from binding on the bushing or the post. I wouldn't go as low as two with a HipShot, because of stability issues. Edited August 1, 2012 by iiipopes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 [quote name='iiipopes' timestamp='1343826846' post='1755844'] With all due respect, vaseline/cosmoline/petroleum jelly/gel lubricants can seep into the headstock and cause wood deterioration. ... [/quote] In your experience, how log does this process take? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted August 1, 2012 Share Posted August 1, 2012 I'm not a hipshot user but I always rub a soft pencil in nut slots when I change strings, the nut is the most obvious 'snag' point in the mechanics of the thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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