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Posted by: JTaylor Jun 1 2012, 07:22 PM

There is this product that you can wipe on your strings to make them slick, to (supposedly) let your fingers move easier. Any of you use it? Is it any good or just a gimmick? I am only level 2 and 3, so should I not even be thinking about it?

Posted by: Bossie Jun 1 2012, 07:49 PM

There used to be a product called fast fret ...for strings and fretboard.
I'm not sure if it still is around but i heard lots of good things about it...certainly not a gimmick but i never used it myself.

Posted by: dark dude Jun 1 2012, 07:50 PM

GHS Fast Fret is what you're looking for. Sure, if it's easier to play, why not? Worked fine for me when I used it a few years back. It seems to help in keeping your strings clean, too.

Posted by: Nihilist1 Jun 1 2012, 07:55 PM

Fast fret is more of a cleaner than a lubricant.

There is this:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--CBR2074


I don't recommend it for anyone, though. When I used it, it seemed as though the strings made a LOT more noise.

You know that sound when you don't take your finger all the way off the string before you shift positions? Put your finger on the string without pressing down and slide up and down. Do you hear that noise? You will encounter it more often if you use that lubricant. Plus, it gunked up my strings and deadened the tone much faster. Maybe I just purchased a bad can, but I only used it that one time and I threw the rest of it away.

Posted by: fkalich Jun 1 2012, 08:47 PM

Fast Fret makes sliding on the wound strings slicker. It is not a big deal to me, I am generally too lazy to put it on (although I just did on reading this thread). It is cheap, give it a try some time.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 2 2012, 05:13 AM

I used to use FAST FRET all the time when I was working on longer scale runs and sliding. It really did help IMHO, eventually I found I didn't need it, but at first it really helped my fingers not get stuck and slide to find the right spot.

Todd

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 2 2012, 11:01 AM

I used GHS for about 5-6 years, until I started using Elixir strings which don't seem to need any lube at all because of that coating they have

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 2 2012, 07:03 PM

I guess it's pretty cool if it works. I've never tried Fast Fret. Although I don't really like the idea of having to rely on an aid to help me play guitar.

I don't think you need it anyway Jon, you're gonna be tearing it up in no time and threatening our jobs !

Posted by: The Uncreator Jun 2 2012, 07:52 PM

Fast Fret is a resin, so its more for keeping life and tone in your strings, and to be honest it works pretty well. Made my strings last a good month longer than normal.

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 2 2012, 08:26 PM

I've been using it for years every day a few times!!! Works great! Usually spraying on the back part of my guitar neck! It makes it smooth and nice!
Great stuff!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 2 2012, 08:49 PM

Good point A bit of spray on the neck can make almost any neck feel a bit better in the hand IMHO. It's not for everyone, but it can help the same way Bow Resin helps a violin. As you play, the fingers will grease up the strings naturally, and the neck. But a quick spray make a "dry" instrument a bit more playable.

Todd

Posted by: JTaylor Jun 3 2012, 01:35 AM

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 3 2012, 10:41 AM

I do remember someone once showing me that you could spray WD40 on the back of your guitar neck and your hand will whizz all over the place. But I never did it as it can't be good for either guitar or hand !!

Posted by: Opetholic Jun 3 2012, 10:49 AM

I agree with Ben here. I don't like the idea of playing fast because I spray my strings with a lube. Also doesn't it get your fingers all wet and yucky?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 4 2012, 05:01 AM

It's really not going to make you play "faster" and that's not really the point. Much like violin players resin up their bow, playing a dry instrument, especially when your first learning or when your strings are dirty, can get in the way of your progress to be honest. Eventually, your fingers will be strong enough to slide, etc. even with gunky strings and a unfinished birds eye maple neck. But to be honest, until you reach that, there is nothing wrong with putting some resin on your bow.

The only thing that will make you play "faster" is practice.

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 4 2012, 09:53 PM

Actually it makes my neck smoother and it dries out very fast so nothing is getting on the fingers!

Posted by: JTaylor Jun 4 2012, 09:56 PM

My hand will urinate?

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 5 2012, 08:41 AM

Stranger things have happened !

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 6 2012, 02:38 AM

Lol! Never happened to me!

Posted by: Pourliver Jun 12 2012, 11:51 PM

Sometimes, with some Fast Fret over your old strings can help with your accuracy. But IMO, it won't really make a difference.

Posted by: SirJamsalot Jun 13 2012, 12:03 AM

I share the same sentiment. Why get addicted to something you shouldn't need in the first place. My fear would be going to a friend's party, with lots of shall we say "attractive fans" who ask you to play them a song on some random guitar, then having to say "got any butter?"

Posted by: dark dude Jun 13 2012, 01:51 PM

I don't use it anymore out of laziness, but it's more similar to playing on a better guitar, playing on a properly set up guitar or having your favourite pick, and it still doesn't rank as highly as those mentioned examples.

I wouldn't worry about FF making or breaking campfire songs

Posted by: Dinaga Jun 13 2012, 06:51 PM

Whenever I see this topic title, I feel... dirty

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 14 2012, 08:59 AM

Then stop looking at it !

Posted by: SirJamsalot Jun 14 2012, 06:14 PM

seems like string lube could be a fire hazard for shredders though - dontcha think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 16 2012, 04:14 AM

Hahahaha Nice, fear of addiction and of having to ask for "Butter" at a party! Good stuff.



I think it actually can melt your fingers and cause cancer.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 16 2012, 08:55 AM

That would be bit of a downer