tbonesullivan Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 So, I was playing my millie, and as usual admiring the color, and also checking on the nitro checking it has in a few places. One of these is just around the vol/tone controls, so I figured I should stop being lazy and make sure they weren't on to tight. So, I take off the speed knobs, and this is what I see: The washers were white! Dealing with aluminum a lot led to instant recognition of aluminum corrosion. So I got out my flat head screwdriver and wrench, and took off all the nuts and washers. Without the nut on it, the washers were mostly like this: I washed them off and polished them with some light abrasive, and then hit them with a little polish until they were super shiny, and put them back on, for now. Question is, why did they get so white with corrosion? I have 20 other guitars/basses, and none of these have this problem. Though, I'm not sure if any of them have aluminum washers. Is that standard for heritages? Usually I see nickel or chrome plated steel washers. Now I'm wondering if I should replace them with steel, or maybe even washers with pointers (LOVE EM!) Of course, the logical side of me said "wait, if the washers are like that, what else is like that?" And then I noticed that the contacts on the wiring loops on the pots also have the white stuff: Thoughts? Ideas? Also, if I get pointer washers, do they replace the standard ones, or do they work in addition to them? I've always wondered.
Spectrum13 Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 Any Ideas? Also, if I get pointer washers, do they replace the standard ones, or do they work in addition to them? I've always wondered. Can you move out of New Jersey? Just kidding. If it is just this one out of twenty it must be the lack of zinc or other plating on the washers. I don't think we are talking about a lot of $ to replace them.
tbonesullivan Posted March 1, 2012 Author Posted March 1, 2012 LOL. I could move out of NJ, but I've never really seen this problem on any guitar. Even my H-535, which came with the hardware GREEN from all the nickel oxidation, has very little corrosion on the washers.
Hfan Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 The "pointy washers" you refer to (round with inverted v's around the edges?)are a type of locking washer and if they contact the wood of the guitar will likely mark the wood not that you'll see it anyway. Take one of your washers to the Home Depot and just get similar shape mand size non aluminum washers. Or just consider it cork sniffing patina.
GuitArtMan Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 I had a similar problem with my old H-535 and H-137 except it was the frets. None of my other guitars - some of which sat for much longer without being played - had the fret tarnishing probelm. I've got a 10+ year old Dano electric 12 string I'll pull out about once a year or so - the frets still look shiney like brand new. Let my H535 or H-137 sit for a couple of months and the frets look like crud.
tbonesullivan Posted March 1, 2012 Author Posted March 1, 2012 The "pointy washers" you refer to (round with inverted v's around the edges?)are a type of locking washer and if they contact the wood of the guitar will likely mark the wood not that you'll see it anyway. Take one of your washers to the Home Depot and just get similar shape mand size non aluminum washers. Or just consider it cork sniffing patina. oooo. No not the lock washers. I mean the washers with the pointers on them: http://www.stewmac.c...1&xst=3&xsr=612 I have them on the H150 and the SG Supreme. I like having an actual position indicator. Though I'm always unsure whether I should be putting them directly on the top of the guitar, or whether I should put them on top of the other washer. only issue is that if you are uncareful, you can jab them right under your fingernail. OUCH.
smurph1 Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 oooo. No not the lock washers. I mean the washers with the pointers on them: http://www.stewmac.c...1&xst=3&xsr=612 I have them on the H150 and the SG Supreme. I like having an actual position indicator. Though I'm always unsure whether I should be putting them directly on the top of the guitar, or whether I should put them on top of the other washer. only issue is that if you are uncareful, you can jab them right under your fingernail. OUCH. That's what I would probably do..But I'm from WV..LOL
DetroitBlues Posted March 2, 2012 Posted March 2, 2012 I had a similar problem with my old H-535 and H-137 except it was the frets. None of my other guitars - some of which sat for much longer without being played - had the fret tarnishing problem. I've got a 10+ year old Dano electric 12 string I'll pull out about once a year or so - the frets still look shiny like brand new. Let my H535 or H-137 sit for a couple of months and the frets look like crud. I think the older fret-wire is not the same materials as the newer ones. While the newer ones stay shiny, I also believe they wear out faster. My 140 has the original frets. I've played that guitar a ton since I got it back from the shop last summer. The is very little wear on the frets. I had a brand new Epiphone that showed fret wear after a couple months. Last year, I had my strat fret dressed and when I sold it, I noticed fret wear on the guitar.... But hey, those frets were shiney...
Hfan Posted March 2, 2012 Posted March 2, 2012 oooo. No not the lock washers. I mean the washers with the pointers on them: http://www.stewmac.c...1&xst=3&xsr=612 I have them on the H150 and the SG Supreme. I like having an actual position indicator. Though I'm always unsure whether I should be putting them directly on the top of the guitar, or whether I should put them on top of the other washer. only issue is that if you are uncareful, you can jab them right under your fingernail. OUCH. Ahh those are new to me. If I had to guess I would say to put them above the other washers so they don't sit directly on the wood. The first washer will raise them up a little. But thats assuming you use both washers.
the jayce Posted March 4, 2012 Posted March 4, 2012 Only thing that oxidizes aluminum is moisture. at some point in it's life the guitar was exposed to heavy moisture for quite sometime. Would explain the other corrosion on it else where.
DetroitBlues Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 oooo. No not the lock washers. I mean the washers with the pointers on them: http://www.stewmac.c...1&xst=3&xsr=612 I have them on the H150 and the SG Supreme. I like having an actual position indicator. Though I'm always unsure whether I should be putting them directly on the top of the guitar, or whether I should put them on top of the other washer. only issue is that if you are uncareful, you can jab them right under your fingernail. OUCH. Never thought of that! Imagine trying to do volume swell to only have your thumb swell from a pointed piece of metal being jabbed under the fignernail.. Ouch!
Guest HRB853370 Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 So, I was playing my millie, and as usual admiring the color, and also checking on the nitro checking it has in a few places. One of these is just around the vol/tone controls, so I figured I should stop being lazy and make sure they weren't on to tight. So, I take off the speed knobs, and this is what I see: The washers were white! Dealing with aluminum a lot led to instant recognition of aluminum corrosion. So I got out my flat head screwdriver and wrench, and took off all the nuts and washers. Without the nut on it, the washers were mostly like this: I washed them off and polished them with some light abrasive, and then hit them with a little polish until they were super shiny, and put them back on, for now. Question is, why did they get so white with corrosion? I have 20 other guitars/basses, and none of these have this problem. Though, I'm not sure if any of them have aluminum washers. Is that standard for heritages? Usually I see nickel or chrome plated steel washers. Now I'm wondering if I should replace them with steel, or maybe even washers with pointers (LOVE EM!) Of course, the logical side of me said "wait, if the washers are like that, what else is like that?" And then I noticed that the contacts on the wiring loops on the pots also have the white stuff: Thoughts? Ideas? Also, if I get pointer washers, do they replace the standard ones, or do they work in addition to them? I've always wondered. Hey Robin, you should just give that one to me, I don't mind corroded washers!
NoNameBand Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 Just call All-Parts or Stewmac and have them solve this. I've never had the problem but I'm sure there is an inexpensive reasonable solution. Call the Ghost Busters.
bolero Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 people normally pay extra for corrosion on gtrs, consider yourself lucky!!
tbonesullivan Posted March 6, 2012 Author Posted March 6, 2012 I got them all cleaned up now. buffed, polished, etc. and now they are back on the guitar. Dang I love that guitar. It kicks the crap out of a bunch of my other guitars.
DetroitBlues Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 It may be possible those washers were like that prior to installing them.... Maybe they ran out one day and had to make a quick Home Depot run...
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