Strange mold growing on my headstock

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Güiro

Posts: 158
Joined: Aug. 22 2008
From: Colorado

Strange mold growing on my headstock

This is on my Lucida Picado which I haven't played for a few months. I have a few other guitars which are all fine.

Has anyone seen this before? Any idea what causes this? Any thoughts on how I should remove it?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 11:31:57

Güiro

Posts: 158
Joined: Aug. 22 2008
From: Colorado

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

here is a photo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 11:33:10

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

Guiro,

It's Cryptostreptomyacin, a common guitar complaint in younger guitars.

Easily cured by a short course of broad spectrum antibiotics.

Two tablets daily after playing.

cheers,

Ron

(I'm sorry Guiro amigo...I couldn't help it...

)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 11:44:09

Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

As long as Ron is making jokes, here's mine - your guitar is growing moldy because you're playing too much old school flamenco.

Just kidding – I'm strictly old school myself – whatever that is.

For whatever it's worth, mold generally is related to moisture, so you might try keeping it somewhere else. As for removing it, wait to hear from the luthiers on this forum – I'm sure they will be able to help.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 11:52:45

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Ramon Amira)

I'd say just take the strings off and chuck 'em, then wipe the headstock and rollers etc down carefully with a dilute vinegar mix with warm water.
Dry it off really well and check that your guitar case is not damp or there are signs of mould there too.

No need to panic IMO.

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 11:58:24

estebanana

Posts: 9373
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

Has your guitar been sexually active out of it's hard case? Might want to get a travel bag for it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 12:25:03

Arash

Posts: 4495
Joined: Aug. 9 2006
From: Iran (living in Germany)

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

generally, this green mold on wood always comes from moisture.

your case / guitar was in a room or place with too much moisture or somehow water came in to the case or something like that.

remove the mold, clean everything else too (case, guitar) so that there is really no mold left anywhere,,,,, dry everything out , and from now on, pay attention that the place for storage is not too humid

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 12:43:09

KMMI77

Posts: 1821
Joined: Jul. 26 2009
From: The land down under

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

You could try using orange oil. The citrus acids should remove the mould without damaging the finish on your guitar. I actually use orange oil to remove tap plates. It does a great job in removing the sticky glue and had no effect on the finish of my guitars. Always try a bit in a hidden spot first though.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 13:59:01

Güiro

Posts: 158
Joined: Aug. 22 2008
From: Colorado

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Ron.M)

quote:

It's Cryptostreptomyacin, a common guitar complaint in younger guitars.

Easily cured by a short course of broad spectrum antibiotics.

Two tablets daily after playing.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 14:07:26

Güiro

Posts: 158
Joined: Aug. 22 2008
From: Colorado

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Ramon Amira)

quote:

For whatever it's worth, mold generally is related to moisture, so you might try keeping it somewhere else.

I live in a Colorado where it is very dry which is why I was surprised to see it. This guitar hasn't been humidified like my other guitars which have an Oasis Plus+ humidifier in the sound hole. I keep it in its case in my bedroom right next to my other guitars.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 26 2009 14:14:00

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: Strange mold growing on my headstock (in reply to Güiro)

Mould grows on everything, even glass given enough time. Some guitars are finished in a varnish made from tree sap which mould can live on. If its not eating the laquer then it just needs a good cleaning as suggested. You should clean the guitar thoroughly every time you change the strings. Get all the waxy crud off the fingerboard and polish all the dust and finger marks off the body and head stock.
The mould probably wont get a chance to grow this way.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 27 2009 1:16:42