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?
Corosion on Nickel Covers?
- Thread starter JTM
- Start date
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
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 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
Questionologist
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.
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.
Re: Corosion on Nickel Covers?
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!
Gearjoneser said:
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!
