so I’ve got a slightly odd question. I was changing my strings today and noticed for the first time ever some fine metal dust on the fretboard, and also between my pickups.
My 1st thought was it was the strings, since I’d been trying some different D’Addario ones recently. However, I’ve been playing (and bending) a lot recently, so I’m wondering if it’s actually my frets getting worn down. Either way, it seems a bit weird to me, so can anyone shed light on what the metal dust is, and how worried I should be?
I’ve realised one other alternative, which is I tried out a novelty metal pick the other week.
My son gave me a christmas gift of a metal pick with my face on it, so the dust might be bits of me…
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Hi Mark, I think you are answering your own question, and to be honest, it is probably the metal pick most frets are brass or stainless so they are not magnetic but not all frets, and we don’t need a build-up on the pickups its just more of a hindrance so best to use the plastic picks because you have some playing to do my friend cheers Hec
Thanks, and don’t worry, aside from some drunken playing at new years, I’ve been back on the nylon picks. If the dust rematerializes I’ll double down on the panic, but otherwise I’m ready to play 
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Good on you Mark im just here for the ride again so if you need any help just give me a shout no probs at all cheers Hec
Hi Mark, you might want to use the pick for decor instead of music. I don’t think pickups are partial to metal shavings.
Hey Mark,
I’m also guessing that it’s your metal pick…
I have several that were given me over the years but never noticed any metal shavings. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever used one on an electric guitar with pickups that would possibly attract the shavings magnetically & so might not have noticed them IF they were there… metal picks are fun for certain sounds though… so bright on phosphor bronze acoustic strings!
Tod