Corosion on Nickel Covers?

[JTM]

I just put a set of Duncans in my Ibanez semi-hollow (Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge), and I love the way they sound, but have been a touch disappointed with other things. First, the microphonics on the CC are outta control, even after I had the foam installed underneath. I'm not messing with re-potting it - should be good to go outta the box in my opinion. Going to replace with a '59 - hopefully I'll have better luck. BUT, I've also noticed, after only two gigs, that the nickel covers on both pups have little corrosion-type marks on them! The bridge cover even retained a dark fingerprint smudge that I can't get off. I admit, I sweat like a hog when I play, but I had the stock pups with nickel covers on the guitar for over a year and a half, and they always wiped clean. What gives? Any ideas on this? Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a cleaning solution I can use on them?

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Corosion on Nickel Covers?

I got a little container of Tarnex (silver polish) at the 99 Cent store. You just rub that on and off with a cloth, and it should get rid of the cloudiness and fingerprints.

Before you swap that pickup out......next time you change strings pull the pickup out, throw a towel over the face of your guitar, and get the pickup really hot with a hairdryer. It may reset the wax potting and solve the problem. Stuff more foam under it when you reinstall it. I have a hard time believing that it's microphonic, but maybe the cover is resonating against the base plate or something. Maybe put a few more dots of solder around the edge. If you like the CC, the 59B will sound thinner to you.

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Corosion on Nickel Covers?

Nickel tarnishes pretty easily so you have to make sure you wipe them down early and often.

As for the microphonics, your guitar is a semi-hollow, which is more prone to feedback than a solidbody, so it may have little to nothing to do with the Custom Custom itself.

Coincidentally enough, I loaded my ES-355 (Gibson semi-hollow) with a Seth Lover and a CC. But in my case I replaced the Alnico 2 mag in the Seth with an A5 and the A2 in the CC with an A3.

[JTM]

Re: Corosion on Nickel Covers?

I got a little container of Tarnex (silver polish) at the 99 Cent store. You just rub that on and off with a cloth, and it should get rid of the cloudiness and fingerprints.

Before you swap that pickup out......next time you change strings pull the pickup out, throw a towel over the face of your guitar, and get the pickup really hot with a hairdryer. It may reset the wax potting and solve the problem. Stuff more foam under it when you reinstall it. I have a hard time believing that it's microphonic, but maybe the cover is resonating against the base plate or something. Maybe put a few more dots of solder around the edge. If you like the CC, the 59B will sound thinner to you.

I'll definitely try the Tarnex. I was just really surprise that it was happening so quickly. The hairdryer thing is a great idea. I really like the CC, but I can't live with the feedback issue at this point. Others have also mentioned the potting, cover issues, etc., but I guess I don't think that I should have to modify a brand new pickup. I was surprised that it was howling so much, as the pup is mounted in a solid piece of wood in the center of the guitar, but it may just be a combination of that pup in that guitar. I can't get any more foam in there - it's packed tight as it is. Thanks for the input!