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Post subject: Need Help: Rust on Humidity-Exposed Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:31 am
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Hello. I've acquired an eight-year-old Fender Jazz Bass that's been sitting in a garage... In the south. :x The garage had a window-unit AC, but the bass still tarnished and, worst of all, practically every visible screw is rusted, as are the pick-up poles.

A bass-playing friend who works at Guitar Center offered to give it a tune-up. He's going to let me help. I don't want to just drop it off and pick it up; I want to know how it's done and how to adjust it at home. Before I carry my bass there, however, I need to get rust off the screws that attach the pick guard, control knob panel, bridge and back of neck. In the store we'll polish tarnish off the tuning heads and pick-up poles, but he said I need to remove rust from the screws beforehand.

There's also the option of ordering a replacement kit of screws, but I've been told that it would be best to preserve the original Fender screws for future value. Is that the case? My friend said "yes" but my brother said "no."

I'd like to know what you think before I do this and risk ruining my beautiful bass. I was told to get a rust dissolver, remove the front and back screws (headstock excluded), get the rust off the screws, and then carry the bass and loose screws/parts in the case to the store for my friend to show me how to put it back together with strings.

Ace Hardware and Home Depot had two chemicals: a rust jelly that a salesman and my husband said tends to tarnish metal OR Loctite "Extend Rust Neutralizer." http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=13&subid=47&plid=168

Even though the rust is mild, I'm nervous about this process. That web page and the spray can say it "converts rust to a neutral black surface ready for painting... iron railings, patio furniture, gardening and mowing equipment and much more... metal, steel or iron." The Home Depot guy told me to spray it on the screws and let them sit overnight for the rust to turn black. The next day I'm supposed to use my new Norton 150-grit, contoured sandpaper sponge to gently roll the screws around in my hand and knock off the blackened rust. Theoretically, at that point I'm supposed to have original, like-new, rust-free screws to put back in my bass. I've gone where I'm supposed to go and I've bought what I'm supposed to buy, but I'm not doing a thing to those screws till I've heard your opinion.

Thanks in advance for any advice you folks can give me. I'm also trying to locate a luthier in my area, but that profession seems to be a rarity. If the screws are rusted, I shudder to think of what may have happened to the wood. The action is rough, especially for my little hands, but she sounds good.

Thanks again,
Shawna


Last edited by Shawna on Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:54 am
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I can understand wanting to preserve screws in a bass that may be an all original '59 issue or something but to be honest I wouldn't bother with the hassle. I'd just buy a new set of fender screws (yes, fender sell proper screw sets so you'd be replacing like for like) and use those.

As for the poles on the PUs, you'll need to take them out and take the covers off. Give them a good bit of care and attention.

As for these rust dissolvers and so on...eh I'm not sure at all, best leave that question to someone who knows...


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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:08 pm
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Wow, fast reply. Thanks, Ally! :D

Quote:
I can understand wanting to preserve screws in a bass that may be an all original '59 issue or something


That's why my brother said "no." On the other hand, when my friend said "yes," he was thinking ahead. An all-original 2000 Jazz bass might not hold as much classic value now, but what about in 2025 or 2050? I think that's where my friend was going when he suggested cleaning the ones I have instead of opting for replacements. I see both points of view, so I'm still at a loss for what to do (blame it on my noobness?).

Even so, I'm happy to have already received input, Ally. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. :roll:


Last edited by Shawna on Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:18 pm
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Replacing the screws with the proper ones from Fender would be the way to go.

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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:03 pm
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Thanks for your advice, Chet! I'm thrilled to be getting any replies at all.

So far that's two in favor of replacing the rusted, original screws altogether. Am I placing too much importance on trying to maintain an all-original Fender for posterity and future value? Honestly, I hadn't thought about it till my friend said something. He works at Guitar Center and stated how they pay less for used instruments that aren't in completely original condition, so I just rolled that 25 to 50 years in the future.

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<3 your signature, Chet!


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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:10 pm
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In all honesty replacement screws aint gonna reduce any future value much if at all (that's if in the future they'll be worth much at all). For a start you won't be able to tell they're replacements and secondly it won't make any difference to the performance of the bass.

I personally don't like to treat my bass like a pretty little ornament that I want to keep pristine so that I can sell it on as an original mint instrument in 20 years time. I want to play it, to mod it and to give it some character that tells you it's my bass, not anyone elses.

Just my personal opinion :)


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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:31 am
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I'm not a believer in future value of things I buy except for cars - just because cars drop so much in value, when I buy new I try to think about the depreciation, altho now I keep 'em till it dies, so it doesn't matter anymore. As far as the bass goes, are you using the bass for what it is? To play the music you like, to write the music you want? Then the question would be? Why should you care what the value of the bass is in 20 - 30 years. The value should only matters to you, and to the person willing to pay you the money in 20 - 30 years. Enjoy what you have now while you have it. Take care of it. Don't worry so much about little scratches here and there. As long as your bass still looks like a nice bass, or just a bass for that matter, it will have a value to you. A day at a time.

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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:04 am
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Okay, okay. I think you gents have convinced me to stop being so Type-A and girly about it. Like I said before, I hadn't even thought about it till my friend mentioned the future value of an all-original Fender. Apparently, that was the seed that sent me into a confused tailspin: To screw or not to screw? :lol: I'll opt for the former and swing by Guitar Center tomorrow to order the replacement kit. Put those with a tune-up and I'll be good. I'm also having a luthier inspect the wood to make sure it didn't take any damage from the humidity.

Thanks so much for your helps, guys. I'm still going to take good care of her, but thanks to you I'll be more relaxed about it. :wink:


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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:06 am
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that's the way to be! Enjoy it :)


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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:59 pm
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There you go, worry about the future when you're ready to sell 'er! Enjoy your bass... 8)

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VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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