What is the metal under chrome hardware?

[sylvanshine]

If you were to remove the chrome from tuning keys and bridges, what metal is typical underneath?

[tom]

there's all kinds of stuff under there. the tuners are cast zinc. the bridges are steel and stainless steel. some of the small machined parts are brass. any particular part you want to know about?

[sylvanshine]

Well, just to put all my cards on the table, am toying with the idea of aging a Classic T. Aging chrome only pits it horribly, so was hoping that the bridges and tuning keys might be nickel underneath.

I know the relic is not a popular topic in these parts, but I am not willing to buy a Fender to scratch this itch.

[tom]

usually when chrome plating is done, it is copper, nickel, then chrome. you can use some kind of acid, i think hydrocloric, but don't quote me, and kids, don't try this at home. it will strip the chrome and leave the nickel. i have seen it done on plates like tele control plates, but i would be nervous about zinc tuners.

[sylvanshine]

I've done the acid fume deal. Nasty stuff for sure. That technic only really works well on existing nickel. I had a chrome Les Paul stop tail break in half when I strung it up because the acid weakened the metal so much.

[tom]

i'm not talking about fumes, i'm talking about dunking. the tail piece was probably zinc or aluminium, which could be trouble. if you have a local biker plating shop, they could remove the chrome from parts like flat plates and knobs for you, leaving you with nickel. lots of work for the look.

[bruce]

Don't dunk the tuners... you'll ruin the gears and the way they feel. I guess you could try and worst case just buy a new set if they are toasted.

[mtucker]

try a 3m pad first ... since you're unfamilar with the dip time required using a chemical .. the scotch brite pad will only take off as much as you want .. careful with the tuners because you'll get down to the brass *oops, i mean 'copper'* plating, particularly on the edges of the keys, real quick.

[MikesTech]

Ok, it's killing me... I've got to ask...

What is the fascination with "aging" or "relicing" or "antiquing" or whatever you call purposefully trying to make an instrument look older, or more used than it actually is?

Now please don't misunderstand me, I am not trying to be judgmental here, I am sincerely curious what the mind set is for wanting to do this...

I have played and teched for a very long time, and I have some instruments that I bought way back in the 70's that, over the years have become (very naturally and authentically) pretty beat up. I have a 74' Precision Bass that I bought new and every ding, scratch, belt mark, belongs to me. Cigarette burns on the head stock, I even removed the Fender decal at some point in the early 80's because of a Fender rep that was ugly to me at a gig. It has had a dozen different pickups in it, some several times over. Somewhere along the line I installed a D-tuner. I've worn out at least 5 or 6 Baddass bridges, nuts, and frets, and hardware... This one has been through the ringer...

On the other side of that I have a Jazz Bass that I have owned for almost as long that I have babied, and protected, and kept in near perfect condition (well, for a 25+ year old guitar that is).

I guess my point is, isn't it better, or more natural to let these things take their own course, and at some point you end up with a honest to goodness relic? Every scratch and scar has a story and maybe some personal meaning...

Without really meaning to, I have ended up with quite a pile of stuff from over the years. I didn't mean to become a "collector", I just never sold anything, and all of it represents a period of time in my life to me. Sort of a scrapbook, just Fred Sanford style ~grin~

Take a new instrument, and swear to yourself that you will never sell it. Play it all the time and at some point, you will have a true relic...

Bobby

[tom]

i totally understand, my guess is that people are just impatient, and they want it now.

[guitarzan]

To me, it's UNFATHOMABLE to think of keeping a guitar for 25+ years. I wish I had that kind of control and resilience. I PRAY for that kind of control on a daily basis. The longest I've kept an electric is 4 years, and I didn't play it the last 6 months or so.

[sylvanshine]

Ok, it's killing me... I've got to ask...

What is the fascination with "aging" or "relicing" or "antiquing" or whatever you call purposefully trying to make an instrument look older, or more used than it actually is?

Now please don't misunderstand me, I am not trying to be judgmental here, I am sincerely curious what the mind set is for wanting to do this...
Bobby

Your question is a common one on other forums. This is a nice polite place to hang out so my answer will be too. You either get it or you don't. I think guitars play better when they've been used awhile. And Tom's reply is pretty right on. I want that feeling now, not later. Now I put a smiley face on the end so you know everything I said was real friendly like. :)

[tom]

i am smiling as well, i think for many it is not about it playing like an old guitar :)

[MikesTech]

OK, I think I get it.

I don't think that this is something that I would necessarily do for myself, but having built and / or moded countless guitars for others, I suppose I might give it a shot for someone else.

Best of luck with your project, I would love to see the outcome and how you feel it turned out.

Bobby

[Suriel Zayas]

my experience has been, that with tom's guitars they have a sort of broken-in feel right out of the box. my 94' dt is totally relic'd, however, structurally & cosmetically it is near mint. for me relic'd is like that old pair of broken-in shoes, change the soles, nice shine, they feel just right, but also look good. my .02.

[sylvanshine]

The tale of two Teles...
http://www.fender.com/products/prod_images/guitars/0150202867_md.jpg
http://www.songsofjonathanwilson.com/guitarz/53%20Rick%20Holstrom/DSCN0025.JPG

If the bottom one makes you weak in the knees, you might be a Relic Neck (with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy)

[olectric]

That bottom tele looks like the Jack Palance of guitars...like it would look at you long and hard and say, "I've crapped bigger than you." But, for the most part, new relic models kinda gives me the same feeling as when I see jeans in a store at the mall with all the holes and scuffs already in them. Out of all my jeans, the ones that are destroyed because I destroyed them by wearing them for 6 years are the most comfortable to wear and, by far, the coolest. It's like all these other jeans are trying to be like that pair, but they're just not the real deal. I think that if you're going to do a relic, do it the right way. Play the living snot out of the guitar, and let it get all the buckle rash it can. Wear a steel wristwatch on your picking hand or something. And if you don't have enough acid oozing out of your hands to funk up the fretboard and hardware, change your diet to one consisting only of meatshakes and orange juice. I dunno.

BTW, is that a real vintage tele? If not, I'm completely impressed.

[guitarzan]

good point. I'm on a mission to authentically convert my strat into a relic. Now if I can just find that chainmail jumpsuit.... :)

For me, it's that crossroads... Do I keep the guitar pristine, banking on the fact that I'll want to sell it in the future (which is 99% certainty), or do I force myself into keeping the guitar forever by the act of relic'ing it?






sidenote** Olectric, your signature used to have an atom and a hollow classic... Now there's an HTC with the million-dollar question marks. Is there something you'd like to tell us?

[olectric]

sidenote** Olectric, your signature used to have an atom and a hollow classic... Now there's an HTC with the million-dollar question marks. Is there something you'd like to tell us?

Wehhhhhhhhll...

Yes, the signature is different, and it is all your fault! You sent me that stinkin' Brad Paisley DVD, and I placed the order at Mass St. the next day! Are you proud of yourself, young man? Here are the specs:

Alder on Alder, Trans Yellow, all maple tinted neck, 1 5/8" nut, +.100" TA back shape, M1-/TM2, fixed bridge, black 'guard, no body contour. S'posed to be here in March.

It's basically going to look just like this one:

<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/olectric/futureandy.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

I'm REALLY excited about it.

[guitarzan]

well done, grasshopper. well done.



:D

[sylvanshine]

BTW, is that a real vintage tele? If not, I'm completely impressed.
Nope, started it's life as just a regular reissue. That one was done by Greenwich Village Custom Guitars (GVCG) out of NY.

[tom]

so how much does one pay for instant ageing gratification?

[sylvanshine]

so how much does one pay for instant ageing gratification?

50 bucks, same as downtown. BADA BING! How's the chicken folks? :D

The guitar plus $800. Unless the guitar is already nitro, they have to be stripped down and repainted. The lacquer checking can only be done on nitro.

[tom]

so you pay $800 or so for the guitar, then spend the same for someone to beat it up. i must not be a relic neck.

[guitarzan]

50 bucks, same as downtown. BADA BING! How's the chicken folks? :D



this took me off guard... like a joke grenade.... six seconds later, though, I peed myself.

[sylvanshine]

A '57 Tele currently on eBay at $10,000 with 3 days left
http://i9.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/5b/ce/8d_12.JPG

Roughly 1/4 that from GVGC
http://www.songsofjonathanwilson.com/guitarz/57%20Tele%20Mike%20Rains/DSCN9721.JPG

Not trying to convince anybody here, I'm just saying some people don't have $10,000+ to drop on a '57 Tele. You can see why there is big money in relics.

And as Forrest Gump would say, "that's all I have to say 'bout that".

[Suriel Zayas]

You sent me that stinkin' Brad Paisley DVD, and I placed the order at Mass St. the next day!
btw, alf hermida just met brad in orlando, fl earlier this week at a show. alf got a private backstage a-b'ing of all brad's amps and his pedals. brad uses about 4 zen drives in his setup on different settings. to boot alf says he is a really nice guy.

[brian b]

Hey Jay probably already saw this before but it looks like a cheap way to relic. :rolleyes:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/bcbtoby/relic.jpg

[MikesTech]

Hey... that's my guitar!! Stop you theif relicer!! You aging bandit... oh, wait a minute, that's me... :eek:

[brian b]

I heard this is how they reliced to Rory Gallagher model.