Rust and....umm....thrush?

[fuzzracer]

I bought a purple ass off the bay a few months ago and frankly, it's the best Ive ever played. Totally chuffed. However, I don't know where the guy kept it before me, I'm guessing in his shower room because it's been plauged by an outbreak of rust.

It has only effected particular areas of the hardware, most notably all screw threads (which it a pain when trying to adjust the saddles), the trem block which goes through the body and most annoyingly of all the pickup posts are starting to tarnish now!

Also, perhaps related to the rust(?) there is a strange white deposit building up in the pickup cavities, and no it's not accumulated dust, it definately looks like some sort of crystal type growth I would have seen in a 4rth year chemistry experiment.

My dad suggested taking a dremmel tool with a soft attatchment and a mild abrasive to the rust (looks like I'll have to take my bridge off), but do you guys have any better suggestions or perhaps a diagnosis for my poor guitar's fungal infection?

Edit: Please, nobody say "eww"...... I'll cry for sure.

 

[agt]

Photos?

Perhaps the previous owner spilled a sugary drink on it? That's what the crystal image brings to mind.

I'd give Ernie Ball a call about buying replacements for the bridge screws and maybe DiMarzio a call about the slot head pole pieces (I don't think the non slotted ones can be replaced). I've replaced the hex head pole pieces on PAF Pro pickups with replacements from DiMarzio; I don't know about the slot head type but it's worth inquiring.

Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[candid_x]

Howdy, Mr Racer.

Sorry to hear about the rust. I take it the seller didn't let you know? Bummer.

If it were mine, the first thing I'd do is pull the pick-guard off and make sure everything is dry and clean under there. I'd make sure the case is thoroughly aired out and dry. Then I'd report the findings to Customer Service for repair estimate alternatives.

Good luck with it.

 

[fuzzracer]

Howdy, Mr Racer.

Sorry to hear about the rust. I take it the seller didn't let you know? Bummer.

If it were mine, the first thing I'd do is pull the pick-guard off....

Nah, didn't know him, but like I said it's such a good axis I was too happy to get pissed off about what is essentially a cosmetic issue.

Being a super sport it doesn't have a pick guard but I'll check in the electrics cavity, cheers.

 

[DTJPPR]

That white crystal build up is Mildew. It's terrible for your electronic components, but can be taken care of, but you have to clean all of it out. Take out the pickup and scrape it all out, then take a real soft Sand Paper and just take one swipe around and wipe the excess out.

 

[beej]

Weird about the growth. Could be some kind of fungus, mildew or something. But seeing as it's on top of the nitro finish, shouldn't be too much trouble to clean up.

If there's rust on the saddles, one easy option is to just order new ones. Not too expensive. Ensures there won't be any burrs on them, etc.

 

[uncle_fester]

fuzzracer, congrats on your new axis, but sorry to hear about your recent discoveries.

You'll be able to clean this up. agt already mentioned contacts for some replacement screws etc. I recently ordered a few replacement parts through EB customer service for similar reasons.

If you determine that you a mildew/fungal issue in parts of the guitar, you might consider using swabs and an alcohol based solution or mild house hold antibacterial cleaner (sparingly) on the affected areas. I did this with success on the components mounted under my pick guard, as well as in the pickup cavity. However, take precautions to avoid getting this type of substance on your top finish. There may be better/safer options out there - but when fungus is present, you've gotta kill the spores. Follow up with a couple thorough applications of guitar cleaner/polish on the entire guitar using a polish cloth to ensure the surface is free of spores. I don't know how recommended this is, but I also topped that off with a coat of pledge (on the body) because the guitar polish I had on hand didn't have any wax.

Might wanna double-check the case too. If it smells musty/mildewy - don't store the guitar in it. Ditch it and buy a new one. The case is intended to protect your axe, not be a source for damage.

Good luck!

 

[beej]

CS will tell ya what you can use on the finish. Acetone is safe and it'll take just about anything off, including marker.

 

[NorM]

beej no!
Acetone is not safe!

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/1249-aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggg-derek.html

fuzzracer: please contact customer service. They are fantastic people and they would love to talk to you.

However,
In the past I have completely disassembled bridges and let them soak in WD40 and gone at them with a toothbrush and lots of elbow grease. Then clean them with a dry cloth and finished up with Remington Teflon spray. This is a lot of work and you get the extra added bonus of putting it all back together and setting all back up.

The "fungus" is a unique thing I have never heard of before and I dare say no one here is qualified to speak to that issue. (Unless there is a fungus among us) But I bet the cool people at customer service would have some sage advice. The one thing I did recall is that sunshine (in particular UV light) is an enemy to fungus. But UV light is also an enemy to the purple stain on your ASS as well. (Oh that was just funny to say).

I think it was cool of uncle fester to mention the case. I think that is a good thing to consider. Cleaning thoroughly or replacing that is. Again, customer service should be your first place to get the advice you need.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Tea tree oil is great at dealing with human fungus conditions!!! - so I guess it would be ok to use (diluted with water) on non human forms.

Me - I'd try some swabs dipped in lighter fluid (naptha based)

 

[beej]

beej no!
Acetone is not safe!

Hey Norm-

I asked Dan at CS about it, to remove marker on the finish. That's what they suggested to me. I've used it on other guitars to remove blemishes in the past and it's never been an issue. (I was under the impression that Acetone was ok on Polyester. But I tried small test areas to see first, and they were all ok.)

But point definitely taken: the OP should ask MM about what to do before just applying anything.

 

[NorM]

Whew!

You still the man.

 

[candid_x]

Being a super sport it doesn't have a pick guard but I'll check in the electrics cavity, cheers.

D'oh!

 

[andynpeters]

Tea tree oil is great at dealing with human fungus conditions!!! - so I guess it would be ok to use (diluted with water) on non human forms.

Me - I'd try some swabs dipped in lighter fluid (naptha based)

I can advise on human thrush infections (don't ask) but not on guitar ones.
PS Don't use lighter fluid on your body parts gents!!

 

[candid_x]

Weird about the growth. Could be some kind of fungus, mildew or something. But seeing as it's on top of the nitro finish, shouldn't be too much trouble to clean up.

ASS has a nitro finish?

 

[jamminjim]

one could use q tips dipped in 2% hydrogen peroxide to kill fungal stuff

also, the suns rays kill stuff... need to let the case air out in the sun... outside for a few days. ...

a couple of thoughts

 

[beej]

ASS has a nitro finish?

Sorry Bruce ... that wasn't right. I meant Poly!

 

[candid_x]

I was gonna ask, what's coming next, Road Worn Sterlings? (referring to the new MIM Fender relics)

 

[John C]

I was gonna ask, what's coming next, Road Worn Sterlings? (referring to the new MIM Fender relics)

Personally I like "Rustic" - G&L's name for their new reliced line.

 

[paranoid70]

It's better to burn out, than it is to rust.