Rusted Strings / pickups

[stevenpaloalto]

Hey I have been away at college for the past two years and I haven't touched my bass in years. Unfortunately my room back home is super moist so it looks like the strings are rusted and the pickups slightly rusted. Any tips on cleaning or should I just replace the strings. Also the pickups should be fine right?

And if I need to buy strings, what would you guys recommend? I don't play much and will be traveling in about a month.

[johnk_10]

if you get some stainless steel wound ones, they won't rust while your'e away.

[stevenpaloalto]

Ok I'll look for those tmrw when I go buy strings. Any other input?

[stevenpaloalto]

Anybody else?

[lokikallas]

At the very least put your bass in a gig bag when your not playing it. A case would be better. 0000 steel wool should take off the rust from the pickups.

[johnk_10]

i wouldn't recommend steel wool. the tiny steel threads will stick all over the magnet and scratch the chrome. you'd have to use masking tape or a stronger magnet to remove it.

i'd just use a tiny bit of Caig dexoit on a terry or microfiber towel and wipe it off. don't saturate the pickup, just dampen the towel.

[Chowowbus]

Replace the strings...rust is the end of them...Even an alchohol soak wont cure that.
As far as rust on the pups go...when you remove it, be sure and hold the bass pickups toward the ground so debris does not fall into your pups..
+1 do not use steel wool...pups are magnetic.
Use a q-tip with a little gun oil on it and rub the affected metal part...just a little drop..break free works best...that should take the bulk of the bad rust out.
Then use a rust erasor on the metal parts..remember do this while holding the bass pups facing the ground..the light coat of oil will help the dust from the erasor cling and you can just keep wiping it off..
There will be a slight discoloration of the steel under the rust..I would not worry about that part..Good luck..

Later

[eyecandy]

stainless steel doesn't oxidize right?

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by eyecandy

stainless steel doesn't oxidize right?

it depends on the alloy, but it actually does. but nowhere near as fast as nickel or non-stainless.

[Jim C]

For slightly abrasive cleaning I highly recomend medium grade bronze wool; just like steel wool but non-magnetic and available at:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#bronze-wool/=8sl60j

[johnk_10]

copper wool like chore-boy also works without scratching. it's what alot of schwinn stingray guys use on their chrome rims.

[GianGian]

My pickups are rusty and work just fine, I don't think that this is a problem.
Be aware about your frets if you get steel strings, they chew them much faster than nickels and most other materials.

[stevenpaloalto]

Thanks for all the input guys I really appreciate it.