Easing a sticky G string...simple?

Moe_Zambeek

I have a slightly sticky G string on one of my guitars, so it ‘hangs’ on trem use. Funnily enough it never used to do this and the string gauge hasn’t changed. Anyway, I have tried nut sauce and no difference. 

Normally I’d take this to @ICBM but with lockdown I can’t, and even if I could there may well be a backlog anyway. The guitar
is going there at some point for a pickup swap but in the meantime is there anything I can do that’s minimally invasive and low risk that might help?

Funkfingers

Does the same string refuse to return to pitch after behind-the-nut bends?

Moe_Zambeek

Funkfingers said:

Does the same string refuse to return to pitch after behind-the-nut bends?

Yeah, any movement through the nut causes it to bind. 

Funkfingers

Also, does the headstock tilt back like a Gibson or does it need string guides, like a Fender?

Moe_Zambeek

Mildly tilted back with staggered tuners, straight string pull, no string guides

Funkfingers

Tilted head AND staggered height posts? 

zedhex

Sticky G string? fnaar, fnaaarr... get her to take it off and put it in a washing machine

Sorry I couldn't resist.

ICBM

Try flossing the slot and then re-lube.

You may interpret this differently after reading zedhex's post .

Moe_Zambeek

  

Moe_Zambeek

Well...tried cleaning the slot and relubing to no avail. It’s weird because there’s no obvious ‘drag’ on the string as it passes through the slot. I wonder if the tuner could be responsible. It’s a Goto HAP locking tuner. Holds tune perfectly without touching the trem though.

Funkfingers

Sure sign that the nut slot is the problem.

The precise solution depends on the string path between the nut and each tuner post. Probably wisest to leave the task to ICBM.

Winny_Pooh

Perhaps wind the G to the top of the tuner post. It worked on a Gretsch alongside graphite grease. 

ICBM

If it sticks in opposite directions when you move the trem up or down then it’s not the tuner. It does sound like it’s the nut groove, but I’m not sure why.

viz

Pencil it?

Funkfingers

Moe_Zambeek said:

It’s a Gotoh HAP locking tuner. 

In that case, try adjusting the post for the G tuner higher relative to the headstock face. This ought to reduce the sticking.

Moe_Zambeek

It only sticks in one direction - pushing the trem down results in the more coming back sharp when the trem returns to its floating point. Pulling back on the trem or stretching the string will return to correct pitch.

Im going to try tweaking the post height and see what happens...

Thanks for the advice all.