Bluesverb
Currently in a long term relationship with myself!
Anyone else's saddles getting some kind of oxidation? I'm hoping it's not rust
That looks like pitting/rust.
When you don't chrome plate or anodize the steel saddles (or gold plate, or paint, or or "blue" - which is a chemical oxidation process), which are typically some formed of stamped steel, they will rust. Some steels are more malleable than others, which make them ideal for stamping or "bending". Certainly price/cost is an issue as it is always more expensive to plate a metal. As a matter of fact, in general, factories of steel products will often send out their products to a company that plates metals, as the EPA regulations are costly and a pain to manage.
There is a much disputed marketing rumor that people can here the difference from chrome plated parts vs non chrome plated parts.
Then again........if I could do that, I would have a Super Power!!!
But I would still suck at playing guitar!