Pole Pieces

[hankSRay]

I was cleaning my stingray 2day and I noticed that the pole pieces for the E string were turning black. Im thinking it might be the begining of some rust or something. Hopefully Im wrong, but does anyone know what this is? Theres no difference in sound or ne thing. Im just wondering if this will give me any trouble down the road. thanks

 

[cgworkman]

It's from chicken grease.....

Actually, (well yours might actually be from chicken grease) it's from your fingers touching it, etc. Sweat, dirt, those kinds of things.

I've always used a pencil eraser - of course this removal method will usually only work for light chicken grease corrosion, etc.

 

[Wasabi]

Folks...I just received an SR4 that I bought for my daughter tonight. The pole pieces have varying amounts of black on them...from some spots to 3/4 of the pieces solid black. The saddle heights were set very low, and I imagine the owner played right over the pickup, constantly making skin contact with the pole pieces. Anyway, the suggestions I read...pencil eraser, scrub pad (from the EB site), and even a dremel with one of those buffing attachments (nothing abrasive) did nothing to remove the black.

Any other suggestions? I want to make this bass shiny and new looking for my daughter. I need to clean the pole pieces, and then clean the maple board (still not sure whether to brave steel wool or just try lemon oil) and put fresh strings on. I have it playing okay, although I think tomorrow feeler gauges and a machinist's ruler will be on my shopping list...

 

[Psycho Ward]

Do not use steel wool!

 

[jongitarz]

Try a pencil eraser, or a scotchbrite pad....As Chuck said, DO NOT use steel wool. Get them as clean as you can using these methods, and learn to live with how they look. You didn't have the chance, but the best thing is to just wipe the whole instrument down after you play it....

 

[todd4ta]

steel wool dust + pickup magnets = badness

 

[Wasabi]

Try a pencil eraser, or a scotchbrite pad....As Chuck said, DO NOT use steel wool. Get them as clean as you can using these methods, and learn to live with how they look. You didn't have the chance, but the best thing is to just wipe the whole instrument down after you play it....

This is a bummer. No metal polishes or anything? Are these suckers doomed to look grungy? Thanks so much for your help, guys.

 

[jongitarz]

Learn to love it....Consider it mojo

 

[todd4ta]

This is a bummer. No metal polishes or anything? Are these suckers doomed to look grungy? Thanks so much for your help, guys.

Just think of them as Stealth pole pieces. On the Stealth basses, they're made to be black.

 

[jongitarz]

Just think of them as Stealth pole pieces. On the Stealth basses, they're made to be black.

Good point, Todd

 

[hankSRay]

wow this is an old thread. My advice would be to coat the pole pieces with clear nail polish as it will prevent from any future rusting. you can use a colored nail polish too if you want, I do it to all my basses.

 

[Wasabi]

wow this is an old thread. My advice would be to coat the pole pieces with clear nail polish as it will prevent from any future rusting. you can use a colored nail polish too if you want, I do it to all my basses.

Actually, we could coat them black anyway, and finish the job...

 

[Wasabi]

And as far as it being an old thread, I learned my lesson about the search function.

 

[KennethB]

Learn to love it....Consider it mojo

It IS mojo!