Why does the neck pick up tarnish quicker than the bridge pick up?

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 That’s a really good observation — and it’s quite a common one with Les Pauls and other Gibson-style guitars. The neck pickup tends to tarnish faster than the bridge pickup for a few simple but interconnected reasons:





🎸 1. 

Proximity to Your Hands and Sweat



  • The neck pickup sits right under where your picking hand rests during playing, especially if you strum near the neck or play rhythm parts.
  • Sweat, skin oils, and moisture from your fingers transfer to the pickup cover.
  • Even tiny amounts of sweat (which is slightly acidic and salty) can corrode nickel or chrome plating over time.



By contrast, the bridge pickup is further away and gets less direct exposure.





🌡️ 2. 

Temperature and Moisture Differences



  • The neck pickup is closer to the warmth of your body, especially when you’re playing seated or standing with the guitar pressed against your torso.
  • That warmth encourages condensation and oxidation to form more easily on metal parts.






⚙️ 3. 

Different Magnetic Fields and Plating



  • Slight manufacturing variations in plating thickness (nickel, chrome, gold, etc.) can make one cover more prone to oxidation.
  • Nickel covers in particular tarnish quickly because nickel naturally oxidizes in air.



Some Les Pauls even use different alloys or plating finishes for each pickup (depending on year or production batch), which can cause one to dull faster.





🧽 4. 

Cleaning Habits



  • Players often wipe down the bridge area more because it’s where the strings, saddles, and controls are — but the neck pickup might not get as much attention.
  • A light film of sweat left on the neck pickup speeds up tarnishing.






🔧 Quick Tips to Prevent or Slow Tarnish



  • After playing, wipe both pickups (and strings) with a soft dry cloth.
  • If you have nickel covers, a bit of GHS Guitar Gloss or microfiber cloth will help remove light tarnish.
  • Avoid metal polish unless absolutely necessary — it can remove the plating and change the look permanently.
  • If you like the aged look, just leave it — many players actually prefer the patina as part of the vintage aesthetic.





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