Bolo Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 11 hours ago, Hobbayne said: My 63 Sonic Blue P bass bridge has completely rusted to bits. The level of relicing was so over the top that I couldnt raise the saddles or intonate it because it had completely seized. I have had to have the whole lot replaced and I havent had it a year yet. 🤬 Any other Limelighters had this problem? Paints come off and the scratchplate turned a funny colour and all! I'd be having a chat! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 18 minutes ago, KiOgon said: A rusty bridge on a 'new' Fender Pino stopped me from buying it. Trying it in the shop I asked if the saddles could be raised a bit, the tech tried and said no sorry they're fixed, to which I said - you mean rusted in - he agreed. All the metalwork was too rusted for my liking, unplayable with a very low action so I never got a Pino! Either way, £3k+ for what is essentially one of the most basic bass designs, albeit very well made, is insane! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Just now, acidbass said: Either way, £3k+ for what is essentially one of the most basic bass designs, albeit very well made, is insane! It was at GAK Brighton a while ago, think it was about £2K, but you're right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 The process that rusts up the screws to the point of being seized is inexcusable. There are a number of ways that I can think of that would still provide the false sense of age and still leave the bridge operational. But you pays your money etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 It's rust, if there's lots of it then it will seize up. I've just put together a bitsa of a 60s P bass, I collected old rusted chrome hardware which gives the authentic look, does everything work smoothly, no! But that's the pay off for the genuine look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 7 minutes ago, hooky_lowdown said: It's rust, if there's lots of it then it will seize up...... does everything work smoothly, no! But that's the pay off for the genuine look. We'll have to disagree. The mating surfaces of the screw threads don't need to be rusty, you can't see them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 There's a rumour, that the guy who builds those limelights, marinates the bridges in his own urine for a month before fitting them. It's powerful stuff apparently ☺ 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 3 minutes ago, No lust in Jazz said: We'll have to disagree. The mating surfaces of the screw threads don't need to be rusty, you can't see them. That's true, however it's a relic build, and I'm sure Mark could do that, but a if he's like me he'll make it a genuine job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy515 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 13 minutes ago, gjones said: There's a rumour, that the guy who builds those limelights, marinates the bridges in his own urine for a month before fitting them. It's powerful stuff apparently ☺ Well now youre just taking the **** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 2 hours ago, KiOgon said: A rusty bridge on a 'new' Fender Pino stopped me from buying it. Trying it in the shop I asked if the saddles could be raised a bit, the tech tried and said no sorry they're fixed, to which I said - you mean rusted in - he agreed. All the metalwork was too rusted for my liking, unplayable with a very low action so I never got a Pino! Is Pino’s rusted? I’m guessing no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 6 minutes ago, ambient said: Is Pino’s rusted? I’m guessing no? Maybe appears rusty but I bet it works for adjustment, as said above - no need to have rusted threads where things should be free to move, a little grease on assembly would prevent that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, adamg67 said: *engage pedant mode* Just while it's been mentioned: WD40 is not as good for freeing and lubricating things as lots of people seem to think. For loosening things, penetrating oil is much better, for lubricating pretty much any lubricating oil is better, like some basic 3 in 1. https://lifehacker.com/when-should-i-not-use-wd-40-5891936 https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a6064/wd-40-vs-the-world-of-lubricants/ *disengage pedant mode* WD 40 is a code that I seem to remember the US Navy or Air Force stores came up with for a compound that is capable of displacing water from the surfaces to which it is applied for a minimum of 40 days. Adam is correct. It was never manufactured to lubricate anything. It is however a good treatment to help prevent rust from happening in the first instance. All you need is a little spray on saddle screw threads that have been wire brushed free of loose particles and a dab with an absorbent rag to remove excess before reinstalling them. It will stop water from sweat or elsewhere from creating favourable conditions for rust. Lubricating oil is not usually needed for properly machined saddle screws in the quantity that it would take to protect all surfaces if indeed at all. WD40 is therefore a good call. If you don't gig and you don't need the sweatproofing, use dry powdered graphite (pencil "lead" scrapings will do) to coat the threads. That way you can preclude the escape of lubricating oil onto paint finishes or into exposed wood grain. For rust to occur, three things need to be present: 1. Iron or other Ferrous metal alloy (including most grades of SS believe it or not) 2. Water 3. Oxygen Eliminate any one of those three things and rust can not occur. Note: It is well worth paying for the best fitting screw driver or allen key you can afford to use on your saddles. The screw heads will last longer that way. Edited February 26, 2020 by SpondonBassed 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 1 hour ago, No lust in Jazz said: the false sense of age There’s a great album title. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Lots of ways to clean up rusty mechanisms and items. A soak in dilute citric acid or, better still dilute molasses*, for an extended period will work. Low strength brick cleaner is faster but the fumes cause rust... Whatever you use, lubricate as soon as it comes out to prevent rapid rusting of clean surfaces. *Most rust removal uses acids, but molasses are gentler as they chelate the rust into solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 On relicing - it's a purely cosmetic exercise, so rusting up parts to the point of seizure is ridiculous. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Someone mentioned rust penetrating oil, and i can reccomend Plus Gas. Great stuff. Yup, WD40 is a water dispersant, hence the initials, i assume 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy515 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 38 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: Lots of ways to clean up rusty mechanisms and items. A soak in dilute citric acid or, better still dilute molasses*, for an extended period will work. Low strength brick cleaner is faster but the fumes cause rust... Whatever you use, lubricate as soon as it comes out to prevent rapid rusting of clean surfaces. *Most rust removal uses acids, but molasses are gentler as they chelate the rust into solution. White vinegar too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamg67 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 @SpondonBassed That's a good point, if the aim is to keep water off something WD40 is indeed a good call. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Given that grubscrews are generally a harder / higher grade of material than the saddle An additional issue that 'may' arise is damaging the heads of the grub screws in the 'concoction du relique' which could lead to pesky drilling the grub screw out manoeuvres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 1 hour ago, fleabag said: Someone mentioned rust penetrating oil, and i can reccomend Plus Gas. Great stuff. Bang on. Plus Gas is in fact an easing fluid. It's thinner than 3 in 1 penetrating oil too so it works a little quicker when you need to try and salvage a seized screw. It's best to take the bridge off before you use it however because it will get everywhere you don't want it to be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) I looked up the wiki for WD40 and as Fleabag says, WD stands for Water Displacement. The main wiki says that the 40 indicates that it was formula number 40 that the firm's boffins claimed had achieved the desired effect. While I can not dispute that, it is not what we were told during an aero mechanic's apprenticeship, forty years ago. I'm holding onto that. Either story is just that. It's up to you what you believe but the water displacement thing is well proven and you will need to re-apply the stuff periodically on whatever piece of ferrous metal or electrical equipment you want kept dry. It may or may not last for forty days. How long it lasts will depend on how often you get sweaty enough to saturate your bridge I suppose. Edited February 26, 2020 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 1 hour ago, Paddy515 said: White vinegar too Sometimes I think it's easier to list those things that DON'T remove rust than those that DO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Let's start with urine. Allegedly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 I'm not a fan of the relic look but if I did I would have a nice, new, shiny, adjustable bridge under a manky, rusty chrome cover 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 20 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: Sometimes I think it's easier to list those things that DON'T remove rust than those that DO! A wise musician tried to warn us many years ago... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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