Celluloid pickguard = Hofner pickup corrosion

[gary m]

For a while now, I've been observing a hazy tarnish form on the pickups of my MIG Hofner Club. I've been wiping it away, only to have it reappear in a few weeks time where the pickguard fits around the pickup surrounds. Today I noticed that the set screws in the surrounds are beginning to corrode as well. Off to the Internet I go to see if anyone else out there is experiencing this issue, and wouldn't you know...many are.

The culprit appears to be a gas given off by the celluloid pickguard as it slowly decomposes, which reacts with the plating on the pickups.

What to do? According to one person who had experienced something similar, the answer is to remove the pickguard and store it away from the instrument. And no, not in the case.

While celluloid isn't used on every Hofner out there, it seems to be on their German made reissues. Anyone else out there encounter something like this?

 

[FranF]

Celluloid has been doing that since the 20's. Probably best to store the guard in a baggie, or store the bass out of the case. (wall hang or floor stand) I can say that all my Hofners (12) plus my vintage other stuff has no corrosion at all since they've been hanging on my wall for the last 30 years.

 

[gary m]

Seemed simple enough to take the pickguard off, which I did. Probably just as simple to put it back on, too. I'll let it sit out for a couple of days and see what happens.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Gary:
You and Fran are exactly right. Nitric acid comes out of the celluloid and attacks nickel in particular. Nickel is often used as a flash before the chrome on many metal plated parts. I found this to be infuriating on my German Hofners: pickups, screws tailpiece tuner parts. If trapped in a case the nitric acid will out-gas and attack your metal bits. It made an absolute mess of my MIG Cavern bass. I have cats, and need the instrument protected by the case.
That is one of the reasons why I like my Ignition model - not celluloid, no metal attacked.
By the way, Gretch celluloid bindings do the same thing.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

If you will store the pickguard while it is not attached to the instrument for very long, I recommend that you attach it to a piece of wood, by screwing it through every screw hole, to prevent it from becoming deformed over time. I have a bass made in 1967, and the pickguard shrank over the years, and in doing so, it actually pulled some of the wood screws out of the body. I was able to get the pickguard almost flat, by heating it up, and pressing it flat, but it still does not line up. Not sure if yours will shrink as it out gasses over time, but mine did. Mine was not a Hofner bass, but was built with Hoffner hardware. The pg might have been the same material used by Hofner.

 

[FranF]

Screwing it down isn't an option with the Hofners. No mounting holes. Best thing to do is store it in a book or between two pieces of wood.

 

[gary m]

Makes sense now why I see many old Hofners without pickguards, I guess. Interesting note about the Ignition series having non celluloid guards...guess I need to see if North Coast Music has any Club Ignitions left in their warehouse.

 

[mr.mow]

Its nickel hardware, it will tarnish and go milky regardless of the pick guard.. me personally, thats why I love nickel!
Ive got a 52RI tele and all of the tuners have gone a soft milky white, same with a Gibson Les Paul I had.

 

[ATLbassist]

I noticed this on my 2004 V63. I like to think of it as "natural relicing" - or at least that's what I tell myself. Once my tech pointed it out, I just leave the case open.