hey guys, i have really acidic hands...meaning my hands sweat a lot and i have a lot of acid in my sweat so my strings rust quickly....i pretty much hav to change strings every week (if i can afford it)..other wise i pretty much have to deal with chunky rusted strings! only recently my pickups are starting to rust. i think when i strum my hand must hit the strings and sweat must hit the strings and splash on to the pick ups...same as when i palm mute!

ive been to the guitar shop bout it and they said there isnt anything to fix it except buy new pickups! i was wondering if u guys knew of anything that does fix it....or anything that prevents it from rusting more???

thanks,
MCR

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Covered humbucker pickups, I assume?

I don't think its rust, but using this method...you're going to lose some of the finish. You can try taking some steel wool to it (use grade 0000 ultra fine). I'd hesitate to use some kind of liquid, lest it seep into the electronics and cause problems.

If the pickup is a single coil or open/uncovered humbuckers, then i guess just the poles are gunky and 0000 steel wool should do the trick.

I have a similar problem to you...I destroy strings. Its disgusting (and a pain in the wallet).

there's a good chance you do this already but make sure to wipe down with a lint-free cloth after each session (strings & pickups). oxidation doesnt occur immediately so a good wipe should make things last considerably longer

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+1

Great idea. Also make sure that its packed away in its case too when you're not using it. Also, make sure the environment it's stored in is stable (you're looking for something relatively dry and temperate).

i also sweat alot when i play and used to go through strings quick. then i got a rag and after every time i play my guitar ill wipe down the strings and it seems to work.

Something a friend does with his guitars is clear nail polish on pole pieces. Used very lightly it'll protect the pickups and you barely notice its even on there.

clear nailpolish protects steal/metal quite well, I used to put it on my watch 'cause I was allergic to it (nickel...), and I haven't got a problem since

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also make sure you wash your hands before you play... this will also keep things a bit cleaner. i don't know how much it will help with the pickups, but i would imagine if you were sweating off the cheeseburger you had for lunch you'd make a bit of a mess with something down there.

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If you have covered humbuckers, you can get pickup covers off ebay real cheap. Check item number 7379143884.

DON'T use steel wool. The little pieces that fall off will be stuck to your pickups and difficult to remove.

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i know you're lookin for a solution boss but i just thought i'd mention that i have a twelve year old squier stratocaster and the pick-ups have been rusted for years to no ill effect.Its me favourite guitar and i play it everyday rusted pick-ups and all