An Experiment with Tarnished Frets

[groucho]

Wondering if anybody else tried this?
Searches came up blank so - my post.
For a few years now, I noticed my 2006 4003 Ric would
get fret tarnish something fierce whereas my other basses
(all stored in the same place in their cases) do not , or do
not at anywhere near the speed. The Ric will tarnish up in a few months
after a dab of 0000 steel wool on the frets. some of my Fenders do too
but it takes them YEARS - Anyway this is NOT "a knock" on Rics as
the fretwork and fret durability is top notch (in my experience) .

I did some research and decided to place a strip of anti-tarnish cloth
in the case on top and running the length of the strings. They sell the stuff on Ebay
for silverware drawers. NOW to wait a few months and see!

I also put a strip in the case with my Epi EB3 to see if it would inhibit the
chronic re-tarnishing of the pickup covers that seems to plague that bass.

Before you even ask, yes my studio has a hygrometer and a dehumidifier and
is kept at nominal levels!

 

[StevieMac]

For what it's worth Gorgomyte makes cleaning up tarnished frets quick and easy. Invalid Link Removed

 

[groucho]

Heard of it (Gorgomyte). My thinking was to keep it from happening in the first place.

 

[lz4005]

I also put a strip in the case with my Epi EB3 to see if it would inhibit the
chronic re-tarnishing of the pickup covers that seems to plague that bass.

Tarnish can also be from galvanic reactions.
I had a guitar that would tarnish frets in a matter of months, and turn brand new strings black while sitting in the case.
Turned out the case lid was causing the strings to touch the frets and the pickup poles, setting up a low-level electrical current.
Putting a piece of paper under the strings when I put it in the case fixed the problem.

 

[Richland123]

Tarnished Frets sounds like a good band name.

 

[groucho]

I suspected the case in the EB3, but, found it happened when I switched cases.
Only thing that STOPS the effect is to leave it out on a stand!
Funny stuff as other basses put in the same cases have NO issues.
Definitely a composite effect (atmospheric contaminants, case material, composition
of the plating on the particular part etc etc) The frets on my Phil Kubicki Jazz neck
take a decade to tarnish for some reason. The frets on my MIJ 62 Jazz reissue
NEVER tarnish

 

[groucho]

Will report back in three months on this - As to the effect of the cloth in case experiment.