How to clean rusty screws on an old Stingray?

[Stingraymund]

I got a 1990 Stingray yesterday, which sounds and plays perfectly. I just wanna refurbish it a bit:

In the pickups, the pole pieces and PU screws are rusty. I'm not too stressed over the pole pieces but I wanna clean or replace the screws. Also, one of them is stripped, so I can't raise or lower the PUs like I want to. How do I remove a stripped screw?

In the bridge, there's rust on the Bridge plate and saddle springs/screws. I can't even adjust my intonation because of the rust situation. How do I clean them?

In the control plate, the instrument jack (this is a 2EQ model) is rusted. It's not noisy though and this is just for aesthetics.

How do I clean them?

 

[jongitarz]

Elson.....You really can't clean them. They need to be replaced.

 

[prickly_pete]

As far as removing the stripped screw, try needle nose pliers. Push the pickup down so that you don't mar the cover. Be careful not to break the screw off in the body. Maybe EB can sell you the new tackle that you need, or try Home Depot.

 

[Stingraymund]

Rusty Screws & Springs

Elson.....You really can't clean them. They need to be replaced.

Okay, Jon so how can they be replaced? You guys have screws/springs?
Are they the same specs as the modern Stingrays? This is a 300-series Ray, built in March/April 1990.

How do I remove the stripped pickup height screw? That's the #1 thing bothering me right now...the PU sits very low and the whole thing can have a better output.

What are the specs for the PU height screws? I'm sure I can find screws of the right dimension at a hobby shop.

I might hit you up for another fret dressing in the near future.

 

[jongitarz]

The way I remove bad p/up screws is push the p/up down and cut the head off the screw. then remove the p/up and use vice grips to turn and remove the screw shaft.

I have the parts you need. Make a list of what you need, and email it to me... [email protected]
Include your address and I will mail the parts to you. It will have to wait until Monday though.

Jon

 

[Stingraymund]

Jon Rulez!!!!

I have the parts you need. Make a list of what you need, and email it to me... [email protected]
Include your address and I will mail the parts to you. It will have to wait until Monday though.

Jon

I got the parts today, Jon. THAAAAANNNKKK YOOOOUUU!!!!

Here's the newly-restored bass, sans rust (well there's a little residue but nothing a little compressed air won't fix):

I just have to say, this Ernie Ball/Musicman company, they're the BEST. I didn't expect this level of customer service, but they gave it to me anyway. I'm probably at least the third owner of this bass, but the company still treats me as if I were the first.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Jon's a top bloke

 

[JB1]

Hurrah!

Maybe use a little clear nail polish to protect those screws? I decided to do this after a friend at a music store sorted out new parts for me......