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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Damon67 's excellent pic in another thread has prompted me to post a hopefully beneficial thread for some of you.
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First of all, many say that a worn finish/plating adds character. I'm not here to dispute nor support that point of view.
This post is for those that want to replicate, as closely as possible, an original gold plated appearance.
I spent over six months scouring the local establishments and the web for a rea$onable gold re-plating service for my three Korean Sheraton IIs. I finally found a great guy in Texas that accepted the 'challenge'! Here are the before/after pics:
Sheraton II:
Before
After
The difference is even more impressive in person. This job was just under a C-note including shipping.
Here is the 'custom foam poster board' shipping box I constructed:
The pup covers fit over the tuner knobs on the right side.
So if anyone would like the gents addy, PM/email me.
I honestly thought of being a 'middle-man' but I then thought better in that I don't need any additional projects.
I guess I need to let ya'll know that I'm doing this from an appreciation aspect. 'Tex' has never asked me to advertise for him. I'm just a very pleased customer that would like to guide others in need of his services.
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Iffy - I found a guy down here that does it as well. I had a few things done - Preacher PUP covers, neck plate, battery cover. Really nice job and the price sounds about the same - mine might have been a little more.
It's well worth it if you need the parts for restoration or just want to change the look. Some of the gold parts for the solidbodies are really hard to come by and you pay a high price when they do come up. |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Nice job. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by CrimsonLake:
Some of the gold parts for the solidbodies are really hard to come by and you pay a high price when they do come up. Tell me 'bout it! I had also tried to find original '90s replacement parts. I thought that it would be an easy task, but NOoooo! Ergo, my re-plating quest.
AJ,
I wish I could get pics like Damon67 ! 
The diff is dramatic! |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Wow, that looks great! I'm torn on this one for sure. When we do the NW meeting I'm gonna get some original knobs from Miles. I lost 'em years ago. Then I'll hafta think if I want to bring her back to her former beauty.
How long ago did you do this? Has it stood the test of time for the most part? What about the saddles? |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Oh, thanks for the compliments too. :) |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Nice. We have a local custom metalworks plater who also does similar work. Nice work on the customized shipping carton, too. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Damon67:
How long ago did you do this? Has it stood the test of time for the most part? What about the saddles? 1.This one was done mid-last year.
2.So far, so good, although since I got my 'O's it hasn't seen much use! :D
3.The saddles stayed home. I figured it would be to tedious to replate.
BTW, the more you polish the gold plating the quicker it will show wear. Also salt and oils from your hands are the biggest enemy. But ya'll knew that! |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
Nice work on the customized shipping carton, too. It makes life easier on both ends. No more tape wrapped frustrations!  Plus it fits nicely in a USPS Priority envelope. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | I just found my research 'replacement parts' spreadsheet. Using Gibson parts the total came to $219 plus shipping. BTW, the Gibby tailpiece does not fit the Sheraton IIs I have.
So the quest paid off! |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | WOW !!...Very Nice !!...but does n`t GOLD witstands Salt ,Acid etc. better than other metals ( save for Platinum ofcourse ) , so , it must be the Rubbing of cloth/paper that would be at fault... :)
Vic
...never ever use abrasive products , shower it with love instead.. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by HumblePie aka Solid Top:
but does n`t GOLD witstands Salt ,Acid etc. better than other metals ( save for Platinum ofcourse ) , so , it must be the Rubbing of cloth/paper that would be at fault... :)
Vic
...never ever use abrasive products , shower it with love instead.. Yepper. But once any bare metal is exposed the end is within sight. Keep in mind that the plating is very thin. I use just a micro-cloth to remove fingerprints, etc. So far, so good.
Thanx for the "WOW". |
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Worn Gold Hardware Remedy