Rusty bridge...

[TelePaul]

I've noticed my Nashville Tele has the rustiest bridge around. It's just over a year old too.

It's odd because sometimes when I take my case out of my room and open it theres what looks like condensation on the finish....a very slight mistiness that seems to disappear almost as I open the lid of the case. I store my guitars in their cases, flat on a shelf which is right up against the gable wall of the house.

I wonder is it a bit cold for them?

 

[muttley600]

I've noticed my Nashville Tele has the rustiest bridge around. It's just over a year old too.

It's odd because sometimes when I take my case out of my room and open it theres what looks like condensation on the finish....a very slight mistiness that seems to disappear almost as I open the lid of the case. I store my guitars in their cases, flat on a shelf which is right up against the gable wall of the house.

I wonder is it a bit cold for them?

Two things, This time of year it is a good idea to investigate controlling the humidity in the area you store you guitar. I'm surprised light hasn't been along to post his annual good advice yet. There is plenty about that here as you know. I know Ireland has a pretty consistent humidity range but add the autumn and winter temp changes and that's were you may end up with problems. What you seeing is possibly condensation from the warm air in the room forming on the colder and dryer guitar that has been in the case. Same as you get on glasses if you wear them. It shouldn't present a major problem but keep an eye on it. As I have always said it is not just humidity changes that effect guitars but swift changes in temp as well and this could be an example. I would look into trying to find somewhere a little kinder to store them if your worried about it.

The rust thing is par for the course on those sorts of bridges. The diecast parts are always poorly plated as are the plates. Is it rust or pitting what part of the bridge? Pictures. I don't think there is much you can do other than swap it out. Getting them re-plated is a pain even if you know someone who can do it and the results are nearly always far from perfect unless you can find a precious metal platers that can do a good levelling bright nickle as a base to build on.. Precious metal platers also know what you can and can't do with different metals and finishes including plating over them.

 

[TelePaul]

Two things, This time of year it is a good idea to investigate controlling the humidity in the area you store you guitar. I'm surprised light hasn't been along to post his annual good advice yet. There is plenty about that here as you know. I know Ireland has a pretty consistent humidity range but add the autumn and winter temp changes and that's were you may end up with problems. What you seeing is possibly condensation from the warm air in the room forming on the colder and dryer guitar that has been in the case. Same as you get on glasses if you wear them. It shouldn't present a major problem but keep an eye on it. As I have always said it is not just humidity changes that effect guitars but swift changes in temp as well and this could be an example. I would look into trying to find somewhere a little kinder to store them if your worried about it.

The rust thing is par for the course on those sorts of bridges. The diecast parts are always poorly plated as are the plates. Is it rust or pitting what part of the bridge? Pictures. I don't think there is much you can do other than swap it out. Getting them re-plated is a pain even if you know someone who can do it and the results are nearly always far from perfect unless you can find a precious metal platers that can do a good levelling bright nickle as a base to build on.. Precious metal platers also know what you can and can't do with different metals and finishes including plating over them.

32-20 built me some to-fit aeroboard panels which I have put between the wooden press and the wall. We pulled the press off the wall and the amount of mildew, mould and damp was disgusting. It was really gross, we spent ages cleaning it out with mildew remover. Hopefully the aeroboard will keep the cold off.

It's definetely rust on the saddles. Thee's some mild pitting on my Martin machine-heads for instance, and even on my LP bridge, but this is rust. The plating is flaking off and the metal underneath is rusted. Which I would have put down to sweat form my picking hand. But then I saw rust on the neck plate so I think that maybe the damp is affecting the metal. Strings don't last at all either, even brand new ones are tarnished without being played.

 

[owwmyfoot]

Hey telepaul. I was having the same problem with some of my guitars when I first started out way back when. Here's a few things you can do that will help stop corrosion and rust on your guitar.

1. Make sure you are playing your guitar with clean hands every time and keep a towel nearby if your hands tend to sweat while playing. The sweat and oils from your picking hand will transfer onto the bridge and can reap havoc on your hardware coatings.

2. Wipe down the guitar thoroughly before and after playing with a guitar cloth or cotton cloth...nothing abrasive. I like to use my beat up cotton tshirts. I just wash them first so they are clean. Don't forget to wipe the strings - this will lengthen string life and prevent rust which causes the smelly string syndrome or sss as i call it.

3. Keep the guitar in a closed case (avoid gig bags) when not being played..it really helps! which leads me to probably the best hint:

4. Put a couple packets of dessicant in the case with the guitar. You can find these at supermarkets/walmart/target/dollar stores maybe. These will help eliminate any moisture that gets in the case with the guitar while it's being stored.

5. As was already said, keep the moisture levels down in your music room in anyway possible.

Hope this helps.