Repolishing metal Bridge

[BobL]

My son has a gibson with a tunomatic bridge and it is looking a little dull. Does anyone know if it is OK to take them off and buff them up with some polishing compound. Also what about the pickups, screws and other metal bits? If so what compound would be best to use?

Thanks

[black_labb]

i havent done it, but you may run the risk of getting through the chrome plating into copper or whatever is used between the chrome and bridge material (not sure what it is, but copper is often used for aluminium and maybe other metals). if that happened it would be quite dull. some people like the aged look of a duller looking bridge

[old_picker]

many of the cheaper tunomatics are aluminium and the plating wears off - the result is a dull grey look -if it looks grey thats what has happened
if not run over it with a bit of car polish - do not use cutting compund or swirl remover as that will remove plating

if it is a nice guitar and the plating is gone, replace the tuno with a decent after market job like a tonepro

[zenobia]

In the latest edition of Guitarist Mag there are relic issues of strats where people pay extra for that dull aged look you are seeking to buff away. Perhaps you should think about keeping it as is.

Just on that point, I feel a bit of a rant coming on. They have a EVH "frankenstein" model for $32,000 and frankly, it looks like a piece of crap. This is a copy of a piece of crap mind you. It might have belonged to a genius and the market is a strange one but $32,000??? The neck pick up works but is not connected so you can't use it. The middle pickup cavity has a burnt out looking switch with dirty old wires stuffed in there and the plastic bobbin in the bridge pickup is apparently all wrinkled up from being dipped in too hot wax. I don't care who the guy was who played it, this thing is a piece of ????. The original may have had 'that magic' but good luck to anyone who thinks forking out any amount of money could buy it, and making it uggly surely won't help. But they made 300 at that price.
Appologies to worshippers and followers of EVH if I have offended in any way.
Dom

[EtherealGuitars]

In the latest edition of Guitarist Mag there are relic issues of strats where people pay extra for that dull aged look you are seeking to buff away. Perhaps you should think about keeping it as is.

Just on that point, I feel a bit of a rant coming on. They have a EVH "frankenstein" model for $32,000 and frankly, it looks like a piece of crap. This is a copy of a piece of crap mind you. It might have belonged to a genius and the market is a strange one but $32,000??? The neck pick up works but is not connected so you can't use it. The middle pickup cavity has a burnt out looking switch with dirty old wires stuffed in there and the plastic bobbin in the bridge pickup is apparently all wrinkled up from being dipped in too hot wax. I don't care who the guy was who played it, this thing is a piece of ????. The original may have had 'that magic' but good luck to anyone who thinks forking out any amount of money could buy it, and making it uggly surely won't help. But they made 300 at that price.
Appologies to worshippers and followers of EVH if I have offended in any way.
Dom

I'm with you Dom.....ridiculous price for an item I can't see why anyone would want....you want an old guitar, BUY an OLD guitar not a new one made to look old.....marketing gone crazy I reckon.

I also back up the previous posters regarding the polishing of an old TOM....they do tend to deteriorate over time, expecially if a previous owner had ACID sweat like me :D.....they are relatively inexpensive so I agree with the replacement suggestion of you are after a new look.

[BobL]

many of the cheaper tunomatics are aluminium and the plating wears off - the result is a dull grey look -if it looks grey thats what has happened
if not run over it with a bit of car polish - do not use cutting compund or swirl remover as that will remove plating

if it is a nice guitar and the plating is gone, replace the tuno with a decent after market job like a tonepro

It can't be ally as it's way too dense. The guitar is a Gibson Les Paul Standard and according to one website, the saddles are some kind of zinc alloy. We'll give the car polish a shot.

Thanks

[addo]

It'll be that Mazac/Zamac alloy, possibly nickel plated. That German made metal polish in a tube (Autosol) isn't too bad on those things. Otherwise Silvo (not Brasso) or Turtle Wax.

Cheers, Adam.

[rhoads56]

many of the cheaper tunomatics are aluminium and the plating wears off - the result is a dull grey look -if it looks grey thats what has happened
if not run over it with a bit of car polish - do not use cutting compund or swirl remover as that will remove plating

if it is a nice guitar and the plating is gone, replace the tuno with a decent after market job like a tonepro

I think you'll find only the most sort after bridges, and the most expensive, are aluminium ;) The cheapies are pot metal. (for the record, i have aluminium bridges AND tonepros in stock:2tsup:)

As for the EVH thing, its more about art than playing music. Id rather spend $38,000 on a EVH replica to stick on the wall, than spend that on some oil on canvas. If you can afford it, go for it. All 300 sold within 8 hours, so i guess there are some that can.

[BobL]

I think you'll find only the most sort after bridges, and the most expensive, are aluminium ;) The cheapies are pot metal. (for the record, i have aluminium bridges AND tonepros in stock:2tsup:)

As for the EVH thing, its more about art than playing music. Id rather spend $38,000 on a EVH replica to stick on the wall, than spend that on some oil on canvas. If you can afford it, go for it. All 300 sold within 8 hours, so i guess there are some that can.

Thanks for that. If allys the thing, I might have a go at making one ! - I like working with ally. Check out my ally BIL Mill (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=50374) (scroll down to Post #11)or the CS bar dresser (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=56835).