pickup rusting ?

[aLeX]

I own a musicman stingray 5 translucent teal with maple fingerboard for over a month now and i must say i'm very happy with it. But one thing was really bothering me last week. I looked at the metallic dots on the pickup and it looked like rust. My question is: can these dots on the pickup rust ?

 

[The Big BassMan]

Hi,
I've had my Stingray for about 2 months, the pickups have also started to rust slightly, but apprently this is normal and only effects the beauty of the pickup. If you really want to get rid of the rust you can use try polishing with a bit of de-oxydizing oil or use veryveryvery fine sandpaper to file it down. I've heard of some people doing that and then coating the pole pieces with a fine layer of clear nail varnish to prevent futher rust from returning. (be careful not to get liquid on the inside of the pickup ).

Ed

 

[Stingray Matt]

i was going to suggest the same thing as i asked the same question about my Stingray!

 

[Everlast]

heres an Idea, Dont let it get wet, or moist! Wow theres an idea

 

[The Big BassMan]

heres an Idea, Dont let it get wet, or moist! Wow theres an idea

Everlast, it has nothing to do with the pick up getting wet, rust is not solely caused by visible moisture or wetness as you obviously don't know (Moisture in the air can create rust on its own). Rust on pickups is probably mainly caused by sweat. Everyone sweats. Small particles of sweat on the pickup pole pieces (which cannot be prevented unless you play with a pick or don't play over the pickup) in conjuction with oxygen creates oxidization. Maybe if you carefully clean each pole piece after use this would prevent rust. Also I don't see why anyone would get their pickups wet as you state therefore your suggestion is useless.

Ed

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I've heard of some using a hard eraser...the type used for a biro rather than a pencil...before applying the clear nail varnish.

 

[bovinehost]

I would be VERY careful about using anything that sands metal off those pole pieces, because - of course - those are big magnets, and you don't want little bits of metal adhering to the inside of your pickup and causing problems.

The rubber eraser is a good idea - no metal shavings.

In any case, that sort of oxidation is more of a cosmetic issue than anything else. It won't affect the performance of your pickups.

Ditto on "How Pickups Acquire Moisture". I rather doubt anyone's hosing off their pickups with the garden hose, eh?

 

[bassmaniac]

Use a metal cleaner like Flix, or maybe Buckaroo cymbal cleaning polish that drummers use on their cymbals to get as much rust of as possible. a pencil eraser may also help. After cleaning off as much as you can. Put a small amount of WD-40 on a soft cloth or paper towel and wipe it on the pole pieces. The WD-40 will also take off some rust and help prevent from re occurring. WD-40 will not harm you bass, just use small amout to avoid a slippery mess. Apply a small amount on the pole pieces occasionally and you shouldn't see any rust build up again.. Your bass must have exposed to a bit of moisture or your hand sweat chemistry is rough on the pole pieces.

 

[aLeX]

thanks for the ideas

 

[bassmaniac]

Ooops.....a correction, that metal cleaner is called Flitz, not Flix.