Green frets?

[PooBone]

Anyone ever seen this? I was working on a pickup issue (screw came loose on the P pickup of my 2010 Fortress) and noticed that all my frets were green. I sweat a LOT when I play and thought that might have something to do with it. I ended up using a pencil eraser which removed about 99% of it. Anything I should be worried about longterm? Also noticed my frets were getting pretty worn. Crazy because the bass was bought new just last November. Still have plenty of life left in them but for a Rockbass would you recommend refretting when the time comes or just buying a new one?

 

[DiMarco]

Hehe they are bell brass frets my friend. When brass rusts (oxidizes) it becomes green. Perfectly normal if you sweat boatloads. Clean em up (you already did) and you will be okay.

 

[Gastrok]

I think if you regularly oil the fretboard you might also reduce the chance of oxidation as it will help exclude moisture.

 

[PooBone]

Thanks guys!

 

[CowTipper]

Ya, it's pretty common. I use a toothpick to get rid of the stubborn clumps of it in that crease where the fret meets the fingerboard every time I change my strings.

 

[Augie]

Happen on all wicks with standard frets, although the nastiest cases i have seen are on acoustic guitars that use phosphor bronze strings.

Interestingly enough the green/brown patina that forms on the surface of brass and bronze can actually protect the rest of the metal from corroding. Not an issue with strings however, as the wear form string contact will wear the frets much faster than frequent abrasive cleaning would.