Why do Bartolinis discolor with age?

[justinb515]

Anyone else notice this? Any bartolini pickup I've ever seen that isn't brand new has whitish discolorations on the pickup cover under each string...can anyone explain this, and is there any way to "fix" it?

[cybersnyder]

I've wondered the same thing. Glad your having the problems too -- I was wondering if I had counterfeits at one time.

[justinb515]

Nah, I would only worry about them being counterfeit if they DIDN'T discolor. Anybody got any info/ideas?

[Deacon_Blues]

I bought a set of bartolini J pups a couple of months ago. I haven't seen anything yet but it's a relatively short time...

As a plastics engineer, I could inform you that it's very common that a plastic exposed to sunlight, UV or free radicals (that exist naturally in air, they contribute to the ageing of the skin too) looses it's colour slowly if the material is not properly protected. However it's very depending on the material itself. Some materials handles it well like that while others are affected no matter how you try to protect it using antioxidants, stabilizers etc.... Another issue is hand sweat that in fact is a rather aggressive chemical that far from all plastics can cope with.

Perhaps Bartolini should think about changing the cover material to one with better UV/chemical resistance...?

[cybersnyder]

I was considering ArmorAll, but I'm afraid that would end up doing more damage long term.

[bassman blue]

it's my understanding some protectants using petroleum products can cause problems, however, others seem to be safe. i've used 303 on my barts to keep them looking new and have never had any issues.

[justinb515]

303? What is that and where can I get some of it?

[Steve]

Hmmm...I have a set of Barts in a '97 Tobias Classic with none of that going on. There is some polishing effect from my finger tips in places but, nothing white.

[Deacon_Blues]

Originally Posted by Deacon_Blues

Some materials handles it well like that while others are affected no matter how you try to protect it using antioxidants, stabilizers etc....

I quote myself here, seems I was a bit unclear with what I meant. You should not try to protect the material with some additional chemicals if you're not absolutely sure about what you're doing (i.e. how the material will react). The protective chemicals need to be very well mixed into the plastic material in it's molten state. Only the manufacturer can do that.

[SteveC]

Just leave them alone. It's part of the natural aging and relicing of the instrument.

[justinb515]

Ok, so no chemicals on the plastic then... as for the relic look, I dunno about that. Seems like they are just using cheap plastic. When I see an old jazz bass with the finish rubbed off where the player has rested his arm through years of playing, I think "Hey, that guy has been playing that bass for a long time. Cool." When I see an MTD in perfect shape with discolored pickups, I say "Hey, Bartolini must really use some crappy plastic on their pickup covers."

[azzyrazzy]

Autoglym Bumper care!

[justinb515]

I've never heard of it. Where can one expect to find it?