Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

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Rapid Fire
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Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by Rapid Fire »

Hi everyone! I have a 1977 4001, and over the years, the keywinds (Schallers?) have dulled...no more sparkle or shine. Is there any way to restore the lustre to them?

Thanks!
Uffingdon
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Re: Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by Uffingdon »

I believe tuners from that period were nickel plated and not chrome plated and that’s just what happens over time unfortunately.

This is a pic of my 74’ish 4001 circa 1980 complete with dull tuners!

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bassduke49
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Re: Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by bassduke49 »

Looks like a dark version of overall "Walnut" (not sunburst style) which was pretty rare. Either that or a brownish version of Burgundy. In either case, purty! :D
Author: "The Rickenbacker Electric Bass - 50 Years As Rock's Bottom"
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ram
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Re: Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by ram »

There are nickel (semi-chrome) polishes and clothes out there. You might want to give one of them a shot (be careful not to get any on your finish). Or if it really bothers you, you could get them replated. Personally I look at it like my yellowing binding, it's just part of playing a cool bass!!! History, mojo etc!
The only thing we can perceive are our perceptions - George Berkeley
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doctorwho
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Re: Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by doctorwho »

My Epiphone JL Revolution Casino has nickel-plated hardware, and I have used Maas metal polish to bring the shine back. Of course, it's not permanent, as the sulfur-containing compounds that are exuded in sweat react with nickel and dull it back up.
It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. - Seneca
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lumgimfong
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Re: Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by lumgimfong »

Mother’s Mag and Aluminum polish works great for nickel bass parts. Paper towel. A few daubs. 5 minutes of rubbing. Just polished my nickel tuners a few weeks ago. Went from dull gray to sparkling silver.
Also 5 minutes of elbow grease and it will defog your plastic headlight covers to crystalline clarity.
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jps
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Re: Cleaning tuners - 1977 4001

Post by jps »

lumgimfong wrote: Mon Feb 27, 2023 1:31 am Mother’s Mag and Aluminum polish works great for nickel bass parts. Paper towel. A few daubs. 5 minutes of rubbing. Just polished my nickel tuners a few weeks ago. Went from dull gray to sparkling silver.
Also 5 minutes of elbow grease and it will defog your plastic headlight covers to crystalline clarity.
Why didn't you tell us this before I went and bought a new (used) car late last year? :evil: :mrgreen:
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