waxing guts

[abiriax]

Hi, i wondered how you should use wax (and what type of wax you should use) when stringing and playing with gut. I just went on pacifics english language site and they recommend that you wax it every time you play with some stuff called carnuba wax. Anyone know what that is and where to get it?

[kwick]

Hi Abiriax,

Carnuba wax is the hardest known natural wax and is exuded from the leaves of the Carnauba palm (AKA "tree of life") or in latin - Copernica Cerifera. It has an affinity to water but the ability to retain oil and has an excellent gloss property making it an ideal protection for natural gut strings.

Grade one carnuba wax is generally yellowish in colour and available in lump, powdered or flake form. It is used in car polishes and polishing wood articles turned on a lathe.

You could "pick your own" but unfortunately you will have to travel to the Brazilian rain forest ;)

Check out car polishes or wood polishes and you can find it in paste form. Apply lightly with a soft cloth.

ciao,

kwick