|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link.
CUDavidO - Posted - 10/15/2009: 09:37:56
Hi Everyone:
I'm in the process of breaking down my Gibson Blackjack in order to get it re-plated and I'm stuck.
Got everything off down to the rim, coordinator rods, flange and neck. It seems that I need to get the coordinator rods off, then the neck off and then the rim and flange will come. But how do I do that? The rods seem to unscrew but not come off.
I'm sure someone knows what I need to do. I need a coach.
Thanks!
CUDavidO
Pasadena, CA
kevin0461 - Posted - 10/15/2009: 09:57:13
Loosen the coordinator rodas from the neck and pull the neck away as your doing it. This should give you enough room to pull the rods out. When putting it back together, do the opposite.
banjomartin88 - Posted - 10/15/2009: 11:17:41
Just make sure all the nuts are loose. And may I ask, why are you getting it replated?
CUDavidO - Posted - 10/15/2009: 11:22:54
The antique gold is now looking more like brown and green tarnished copper. I understand that there is copper underneath, but it looks pretty bad. It's a great sounding banjo, but it looks like crud.
CUDavidO
Pasadena, CA
Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 13:32:14
d????, Gulp!! ain't that the way their supposed to look????
KL
uncle.fogey - Posted - 10/15/2009: 13:49:07
I think KL might have a point. The "antique gold" is probably supposed to look "old". Someone at Gibson spent a lot of time figuring out how to give it the patina of an older instrument. I'd try cleaning it up a little. I'll say this - I have a 1928 Granada and the gold plating is worn down to the brass in some places, some places have copper flash showing. Nothing short of holding my family members hostage at gunpoint and demanding that I get it replated could ever make me get it replated.
A man wouldn't need many plastic heads in a lifetime.
5stringypsy - Posted - 10/15/2009: 13:57:31
I just got a 97 Gibson yesterday and the gold has worn off it and brass showin in places and it looks allot like my friends BlackJack hardware now :) I like that look...
HIKE FASTER I hear a banjo...
Lonesome Will - Posted - 10/15/2009: 14:25:42
Have you considered selling and buying a gold plated banjo? I believe that you are going to diminish the value of the banjo. They are made to look vintage. I would not consider buying a Black Jack that had been replated with shiny gold plate. I do own a BlackJack and that is one of the things I liked about it. Most collectors will tell you not to alter a manufacturer's banjo as it will bring more money if left alone.
Lonesome will
the.hogman - Posted - 10/15/2009: 14:41:19
There was another thread regarding the replating of this banjo and the owner has decided to move forward with it. As stated, the opinions vary on a decision such as this, but I can tell the owner has thougt long and hard about it. I too advised against the replate, but it is not my banjo either.
Again, good luck with the replate. I am curious as to if you are inclined to sell it in its current state?? The proceeds you could use to get a gold shiny banjo.
Phil
O=='=::
Got Banjo?
Ks_5-picker - Posted - 10/15/2009: 15:40:03
I think there's a difference between having the prewar look and the prehistoric look. That Blackjack finish looks old when it's new,but it sure deteriorates faster than a normal gold plate.Not everybody wants green junk on their banjo.
I personally would not be all that worried about collector value on a 12 yr old banjo.Rest assured by the time it actually is a collectors item,it'll look old again.
Rod
Here's some music you might enjoy.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/roddurst
http://tinychat.com/banjolounge Come on in an enjoy!
banjomartin88 - Posted - 10/15/2009: 20:06:36
My Blackjack has all kind of nastiness on the flange, but for some reason it still sounds good. hmmmmm.
derekanjo - Posted - 10/15/2009: 21:30:16
I have seen an advertisement anywhere saying that the Blackjacks are gold plated. They look like copper, and the ads say they are copper. I always just assumed they were copper.
Derek
BvilleDon - Posted - 10/15/2009: 22:54:45
quote:
Originally posted by derekanjo
I have seen an advertisement anywhere saying that the Blackjacks are gold plated. They look like copper, and the ads say they are copper. I always just assumed they were copper.
Derek
The ads say the parts are copper flashed before the gold plating. Don
CUDavidO - Posted - 10/16/2009: 09:30:14
Let me assure you all that I'm not trying to change the appearance of the instrument. I have found a plating guy that does a lot of Blackjacks and will apply the same "antique gold" finish that the banjo came with new. That's all I'm really trying to do, get back to the original finish.
And please understand that I'm not talking about a little tarnish here. It looks like someone dumped a can of Coke on the rim and flange, left it there to coagulate, and what remains is a sticky, brownish, blackish greenish sticky stain that is embedded deep in the engraving on the tension hoop and rim. It won't come out with any polish and looks like s**t.
With re-plating, I'm trying to restore it to original. That's my intention.
CUDavidO
Pasadena, CA
The Old Timer - Posted - 10/16/2009: 11:57:56
Please let us know how this project turns out, you can tell there's a lot of fascination in what you have in mind.
The Old Timer
I can win the attention of most any girl, wherever I may roam -- But singing and playing on a banjo alone, won't work against a trombone! Uncle Dave
5stringypsy - Posted - 10/16/2009: 15:36:03
Mine was the same way and I had to scrubb the mess out of it with a hard bristle toothbrush and some ammonia, but it werked out. I thought about tryin that gold plating trick in the Scruggs book hehe..
quote:
Originally posted by CUDavidO
Let me assure you all that I'm not trying to change the appearance of the instrument. I have found a plating guy that does a lot of Blackjacks and will apply the same "antique gold" finish that the banjo came with new. That's all I'm really trying to do, get back to the original finish.
And please understand that I'm not talking about a little tarnish here. It looks like someone dumped a can of Coke on the rim and flange, left it there to coagulate, and what remains is a sticky, brownish, blackish greenish sticky stain that is embedded deep in the engraving on the tension hoop and rim. It won't come out with any polish and looks like s**t.
With re-plating, I'm trying to restore it to original. That's my intention.
CUDavidO
Pasadena, CA
HIKE FASTER I hear a banjo...
the.hogman - Posted - 10/18/2009: 18:31:17
David,
I'd be very interested to have the contact info for your plater if you don't mind. I have been looking for someone that can dupicate that BlackJack plating and no one, even the big names on the BHO will do that plating style for me. I am thrilled that you may have found someone. I am really looking forward to some pictures from you.
Phil
O=='=::
Got Banjo?
the.hogman - Posted - 10/23/2009: 13:43:48
When I had contacted Ron about a month ago, he said that he didn't have the ability to reproduce the original style of copper flashed plating on the Blackjacks. Now I am really curious to see how yours turns out. Be sure you have some before and after pics. Thanks for the post back!
Phil
O=='=::
Got Banjo?
the.hogman - Posted - 11/04/2009: 10:33:25
Did the plating get completed yet? I am excited to see some pics!
Phil
O=='=::
Got Banjo?
|
Feeds
