Are my bridge and my tuning keys stainless steel?

[MistaMarko]

I just boiled my strings and they have little tiny amounts of water in them, obviouslt still...and I have to put them in for a gig soon and I was just wondering if the excess water would rust my hardware...and if all bridges and tuning pegs/keys are stainless steel or if they rust>?

[dion mauer]

the bridge and tuners are probably not made of stainless steel. You aren't going to destroy anything if this is a one time thing, but I wouldnt make a habit of putting wet strings on the bass in the future. let the strings dry before putting them back on.

[tplyons]

Depending on the keys, they're generally either aluminum, brass, or a cheaper alloy. I've never heard of stainless steel tuners or bridge.

[anonymous278347457]

see if its magnetic?

steels are usually magnetic

[jady]

Originally Posted by thedonutman

see if its magnetic?

steels are usually magnetic

Stainless steel is not magnetic, niether is Aluminum. Only ferrous metals are magnetic, most commonly cold roll and hot roll steel both known as mild steel.

[Kickin'Fruit]

Originally Posted by jady

Stainless steel is not magnetic, niether is Aluminum. Only ferrous metals are magnetic, most commonly cold roll and hot roll steel both known as mild steel.

+1.

[marob]

Stainless STEEL is absolutely magnetic. It has iron in it.

[Kickin'Fruit]

Originally Posted by marob

Stainless STEEL is absolutely magnetic. It has iron in it.

Not necessarily. There are many types of stainless steels:

Ferritic Stainless Steels
Martensitic Stainless Steels
High Nickel Austenitic Steel

The first two are magnetic, however, many Fender bridges and other similar instruments have bridges that are made of Nickel Austenitic Steel or Brass alloys which are NOT magnetic. This is a result of the heat treatment process.

[marob]

So all stainless steel isn't non-magnetic either then?

[Kickin'Fruit]

Originally Posted by marob

So all stainless steel isn't non-magnetic either then?

I'm assuming you mean 100% stainless steel which isn't really a quantity. All stainless steel is stainless steel but it depends on what type it is. What kind of bass is it and I'm sure there are technical specs on what type of alloy it is.

Here are some typical Stainless Steel Compositions:

Austenitic (non-magnetic):
201, 304, 304L, 316, 321, 347

Ferritic (magnetic):
430, 442

Martensitic (magnetic):
416, 431 440C

e-mail the manufacturer and they should be able to tell you, or just find out if it contains >2% nickel, if that is the case, then it is non-magnetic.


Or, you could just put a magnet to it. I got so wrapped up in the answer, I forgot the question.

Edit: Regardless, you shouldn't worry too much about your hardware rusting. Aluminum, Nickel, Stainless Steel are all very corrosion resistant and if any rust does show up, it is purely cosmetic and you can probably scratch it off without harm.

[Hapes-Nova]

Originally Posted by marob

Stainless STEEL is absolutely magnetic. It has iron in it.

Actually, it can be kind of misleading. even though it's called "stainless steel," it doesn't mean it actually has steel (or iron) in it. I probly don't know as much about different kinds of metals/alloys as some of the other guys posting here, but i personally have never found/used any stainless steel that was magnetic. I figure they just call it stainless steel cuz its kinda catchy, its got that hip alliteration thing going on.

-dennis

[Relic]

Pull the strings out the water CAREFULLY with tongs or pliers etc while still boiling and put them on a towell to cool down. Most if not all of the excess moisture will steam away.
A lot of hardware will have some sort of coating (chrome, brass, and so on) regardless of what it's made out of so it probably wont hurt this once, but I wouldn't do it on a regular basis. Excess water can end up in your electronics, wood, and set screws that can rust.. just dont do it like that no mo' you'll be fine.