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(Ibanez SR506) wearing and discoloration on hardware... solution?

B

BassMan7530

May 2, 2009
117
0
#1
On my Ibanez SR506, I've noticed that the tuning keys have become discolored over time. I BELIEVE they are Gotoh tuners, but I am not positive.

I assume that the discoloration and tarnishing is a result of acids in my hands, and probably not taking as good of care of the bass' hardware as I should be.

For the most part, the knobs have little to no wear at all on most areas. The knobs do appear to have greyish or black speckled areas with some light wear, but on the spots where it is REALLY bad, they are discolored to a faint purple, with a much more dominant blueish color.

Sure, it isn't very noticable at first glance, but I really want to find a way to repair this if I can. I've been trying to take better care of my bass recently, and this is one of the things that I'd like to fix. Post some advice if you can, It would be greatly appreciated.
 
#5
Well, I would prefer to buy a product (maybe some kind of re-finishing product or other metal-restoring product) to try and fix the problem before I resort to ordering new machine heads, and replacing the tarnished ones (which would be quite a hassle to have done, not to mention much more time consuming and expensive). If it has to be done however, I will replace them if another solution cannot be found.

Brian
 
#6
Going to play gravedigger and revive this old thread for a minute. I have a 2006 SR506 and have noticed that most, if not all, of the hardware on mine is looking similar. The bridge looks the worst, although I haven't noticed any "purple"-ish tarnishing. I don't know if it's my body, or maybe the fact that I moved to SD a few years ago. I doubt that would have anything to do with it, but ya never know.

BassMan, have you found anything to cure your tarnished hardware of their ailments?
 
#7
Got an SR500 myself and in the almost two years I've had it I have no tarnishing or oxidation yet.

I've heard these are notorious for losing their almost black coating though and it's the nature of the beast for them to look that way - but as an anecdote I always wax all my basses - and I mean all the time.

Wipe it down after every gig or jam and even practice.

I try to wax all my basses and guitars at least monthly if not every two weeks or so.

I think keeping things well waxed with a real carnauba bean-derivative wax is the best preventative measure.

Use Meguir's Deep Crystal Carbauba Wax - Step 3. If the wax you buy says: 'carnuba' it's not real carnauba bean wax.

My 15 y/o bass looks new. All my gear looks new. I wouldn't have it any other way.

But I don't think there is a cure for this situation as I've head complaints on the Invalid Link Removed about the same problem and others say that with a little lovin' they've had no untoward problems so far.
 

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