Re-plating Opinions Wanted

[Ravon]

Other than taking away the originality of a guitar would it be such a big deal on the resale value if one was to re-goldplate the pickups, tuners, screws and all? I wouldn't refinish a guitar just for aesthetic reasons but I've always wondered about gold plated hardware. Mortal sin? Thanks

 

[Jeff Haddad]

I can't speak for how it would affect the value of the guitar, but personally I wouldn't want to buy a guitar with a nice, aged patina and have shiny new hardware on it. I would prefer to have the hardware match the general look of the rest of the guitar. OTOH, if the hardware is real pitted or corroded/rusty, it makes sense to plate it and by so doing, save what you can of the original parts.

I think gold hardware ages just by looking at it.

 

[kakerlak]

...
I think gold hardware ages just by looking at it.

That's the truth! I've seen some guitars where the gold hardware was definitely the most wear-evident part. Something pretty clean, without a bunch of finish wear-through would probably look good w/ fresh hardware. Who knows what it would cost, though (or how long it would last).

The other thing is I'd be a little bit nervous about taking the covers off the pickups. I've seen Guild HB-1s w/o covers and they look a little delicate inside. I can just imagine de-soldering the cover and pulling it off, only to have the top of the bobbin come with it in a cascade of hair-fine pickup wire.

I once had a real clean Bandmaster head. The only cosmetic flaw was the thin factory chrome on the corner caps and handle hold-downs had failed. I took that handful of parts to a chrome shop and had them redone. Cost about $35 and the amp looked killer afterwards. The thickness and quality of a chrome job from a place that does car parts is a million times better than the cheapest possible job the luggage hardware supplier's factory used. I suspect the same might be true of gold.

 

[dtw927]

I replated gold parts, mostly tuner buttons, on my Guilds. Most were worn but not pitted. I used a gold plating kit from:

http://www.caswellplating.com/

and it worked very well. Also worked on the guitar case hardware after some cleanup. If you decide to replate, the parts must be polished (I used auto machine glaze compound and a dremel cloth wheel) and degreased with acetone prior to attempting to plate them, otherwise the results are spotty and you will have to redo the job. If parts are visibly pitted, simply replace them because you can't successfully replate corroded parts; The plating either won't stick and/or the pitting will not be hidden by the new metal coating.

From a personal perspective, I am proud of my instruments and I want their appearance to reflect that pride. Since I don't intend to ever sell them, I don't much care about if replating parts will affect resale value.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

dtw927: Nice car!

 

[Ravon]

Yeah, re-plating say a '59 might look a bit out of sorts but my '96 Guild's finish looks like it might have left the factory last week. The gold hardware however is starting to show some wear so maybe a replating may be in the near future. Since amp hardware has been mentioned my '96 Twin Amp handle ends certainly need consideration as well. Thanks for the input and link.

 

[bluesypicky]

Easy fix: Use solid gold.

 

[Ravon]

Easy fix: Use solid gold.

Well there ya go :idea:! I was just sitting here wondering what to do with all these krugerrands I have layin' around the house

 

[GAD]

I flip-flop on the "mortal sin" aspect of it. A guitar earns its mojo, and refinishing parts is like a face-lift. It's a sad attempt at trying to hide age when it should be worn proudly and with dignity.

But then on my otherwise mint '94 Starfire, the only thing that shows any age is the gold.

That's like a beautiful woman with bad teeth... or something.

Then I plug it in and forget all about the plating 'cause it sounds so nice.