Go Figure

[craig]

I am posting here as I am both a newbie to soft and a learner guitar player. Now, a warning to those of you with money!! I have tow guitars that have been sitting in a cupboard (in their cases) for some time now. One is a $500 Guild MIC acoustic, the other is a limited edition $5000 Martin MIA.

Today I opened the cases. Frets on Martin rusted, frets on Guild perfect.

the lesson to all newbies - watch what you buy. The big cash upfront is not always worth the spend.

Of finally, in truth - the Guild does sing more sweetly to my ears.

Maybe I should post the Martin in buy and sell....

 

[soft]

You might have been playing the Martin in your sleep unknowingly. That's why the strings are rusty.

 

[lokiregnarok]

I am posting here as I am both a newbie to soft and a learner guitar player. Now, a warning to those of you with money!! I have tow guitars that have been sitting in a cupboard (in their cases) for some time now. One is a $500 Guild MIC acoustic, the other is a limited edition $5000 Martin MIA.

Today I opened the cases. Frets on Martin rusted, frets on Guild perfect.

the lesson to all newbies - watch what you buy. The big cash upfront is not always worth the spend.

Of finally, in truth - the Guild does sing more sweetly to my ears.

Maybe I should post the Martin in buy and sell....

How neglected are those guitar? Frets of the guitars which is frequently used and clean will not rust that easily. In fact, I've never come across such as cui Martin. It takes a genius to get your martin battered up in such conditions.

 

[craig]

Not neglected - just not used. As I said both guitars have been in their cases - Martin refreshed with Hungry Hippo; Guild not --> yet the Martin frets have rusted (no to a refret state but to where it is noticeable).

btw. Sarcasm and personal rudeness is not actually appreciated.

 

[K2desoog]

Hey Craig,
Welcome to the forum.

The hippos cld be the cause. It leaves residue on metal parts.
My bro had his gtr hung in a display cabinet while he was away on holiday for a couple of weeks. Placed the hippo below the gtrs.
Came back and found that the gtr jack input + the insides, lower end of the bridge and basically the bottom half of his gtrs coated with white residue. Light residue on the wood but heavy on the metal parts. The acoustic was not overly affected.

Now I'm hungry.....

(On a lighter note.... high cost gtrs requires high maintenance and extra special care. Sounds like some of me ex-girlfriends!)

 

[faekildare]

Hey Craig,
Welcome to the forum.

Before you start talking about guitar frets rusting, guitar frets can't rust. It is made of silver nickel alloy and.. it doesn't rust. It oxidise, yes but it does not rust. It is easily cleaned with Brasso, autosol or toothpaste (preferably Colgate).

Now, as for keeping guitars away for a LONG period of time, the last thing you should worry about are oxidised frets but the bracing and build of the guitar instead. Especially in such a country where humidity is the HIGHEST in the world, you should make sure that the glue of the guitars are still properly dried and the bridge or the inner bracing of your guitar is still intact.

Hope this helps.

 

[craig]

K2desoog, faekildare - thanks for tips. Also providing strong motivation for me to start playing them more regularly

 

[K2desoog]

No sweat.
Remember to give it a good wipe-down after playing. Helps the strings last longer.
Have fun.

 

[relinquish69]

Just curious, what martin model is that?

In any case, do not leave your acoustic guitars tucked away for too long. Lot's of horrible things can happen to it (wood changing shape, air under the lacquer, frets popping out etc). Best is to send for a set up every once in a while.

 

[craig]

Relinquish69 - it is the Belezza Nera model, 000 size, limited edition, signed by Eric Clapton.

 

[relinquish69]

Relinquish69 - it is the Belezza Nera model, 000 size, limited edition, signed by Eric Clapton.

wow. 5K is actually considered cheap for that guitar. nice.