Thought it was a joke but it’s true, Jason Newsted used to excessive sweating so much he’d wreck his basses

Jason Newsted’s dynamic stage presence is legendary, but with his high-energy performances comes a unique challenge: excessive sweating that wreaks havoc on his bass guitars. In a recent interview with Bass Player, Newsted shed light on the technical difficulties he faced while touring with Metallica due to his profuse perspiration.

Newsted recounted how his sweat caused major malfunctions with his instruments during the Load tour. Despite using top-quality basses like a ’58 P-Bass and a 1981 Spector NS 4-string, he found that sweat would seep into the instruments, rendering them inoperable. This issue became particularly problematic during outdoor shows, where the combination of intense heat and high humidity exacerbated the problem.

To address the issue, Newsted embarked on a rigorous testing process for his basses. He subjected each instrument to extreme conditions, including submerging them in hоt saltwater and exposing them to intense heat. Unfortunately, most basses failed to withstand the test, except for those made by Sadowsky Guitars.

Collaborating directly with Sadowsky Guitars, Newsted worked with founder Roger Sadowsky to develop basses that could endure his rigorous performances. Sadowsky’s team implemented innovative solutions, such as adding rubber gaskets and sealing control cavity holes with silicone, to prevent moisture from compromising the instruments’ functionality.

Ultimately, Newsted’s partnership with Sadowsky Guitars provided a solution to his sweat-related technical wоes, ensuring reliable performance on stage. This collaboration highlights the importance of innovation and customization in addressing the unique challenges faced by performers, even those as iconic as Jason Newsted.