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VPI bearing oil/grease?

I know this has been discussed and forgive me but I'm a little confused. Most of my confusion is from talking with Mike at VPI. I called VPI years ago to ask what type of lubricant to use, the answer was white lithium grease. ( no mention of any of this in the owner's manual) After my bushings were replaced a few years later with bronze, I inquired as to what oil/grease was recommended. The answer was 40W oil. After reading other posts here, I've read that Mike has recommended Mobil synthetic, I don't ever recall them recommending VPI bearing grease to me or anyone. I'd like to get a definitive answer from VPI users here. Thanks.
128x128slaw
actusreus
733 posts
 
Stringreen,

VPI uses Super Lube. At least that's what Jack sent me for my Classic.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,541 posts
 
Frogman: Since my last post, I switched to Mobile One 50w synthetic, (and changed my tube compliment). I feel I need to try any make a point... I look at the VPI tt lube as an ongoing area in which, based on any system upgrades, has to be looked at as an issue that will need to be addressed on an ongoing basis.

I stand by my assessment of the Dupont grease as the absolute best I've tried, FWIW. Never tried Royal Purple.
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,541 posts
 
.......I may be going back to the grease soon?????
slaw's avatar
slaw OP
21,541 posts
 
Yes, I just changed. ( the amount of any fluid is of great importance also).

I just put a little of the Dupont on the ceramic bearing and in the bearing well. I applied some Mobile One 5-50w synthetic to the shaft. This is an obvious difference!

Maybe at another time I'll try 30w. For now, today, I'll just listen.

Any of you that haven't tried these kinds of things, should.

This gives a weightier outlook on the whole sonic picture.
A little too much for me. I'll try something different.

OK, this is it party people: This is REAL TIME! I just put in 40w (4 drops in the well, one drop in the bearing shaft bottom & one drop on top of the bearing after it was placed in the shaft.

This my friends seems to be the right compromise for me right now. Are you getting it? This is a system dependant way of (voicing, if you will) your system. The more resolving your system is, the more you'll be able to (immediately tell the difference).
frogman
7,452 posts
 
Slaw, thanks for the update. Not entirely clear what your final assessment is. I agree that different lubes all have slightly different tonal signatures in any given tt; best in this case is clearly system dependent. What is not so system dependent, and my main issue with the thicker the oil/grease, was that the thicker the lube the less lively and speed stable the tt's sound was. Did you arrive at any conclusions regarding this?
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