|
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.
RMH - Posted - 11/19/2009: 12:51:19
TB-00, now sporting a 1st Quality 5 string neck and Hatfield Tone Ring.
All hardware looks really good but the armrest has lost almost all of its nickel. Should I re-plate?
llids - Posted - 11/19/2009: 12:56:48
I think it looks great. I would not replate.
Discoloration is a badge of honor for those of us who practice our craft so diligently.
eddie83 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 12:58:47
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! It looks sweet!
RMH - Posted - 11/19/2009: 13:03:44
quote:
Originally posted by llids
I think it looks great. I would not replate.
Discoloration is a badge of honor for those of us who practice our craft so diligently.
I agree....discoloration is cool. I'm normally in the don't replate camp. The nickel on this one, however, is absolutely gone... looks like it flaked off in big chunks. You can see the remnants on each end.
eddie83 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 13:05:44
quote:
Originally posted by RMH
quote:
Originally posted by llids
I think it looks great. I would not replate.
Discoloration is a badge of honor for those of us who practice our craft so diligently.
I agree....discoloration is cool. I'm normally in the don't replate camp. The nickel on this one, however, is absolutely gone... looks like it flaked off in big chunks. You can see the remnants on each end.
I have a tension hoop that did the same thing...I just sanded it smooth and dealt with it. Mostly because I figure if it's still functional, it's still good. And that's the most important thing to me.
Julio B - Posted - 11/19/2009: 13:56:41
It looks old and ugly. And it is not an apposite match for your other new pieces.
Plate it and don't pay attention to those who cannot afford new plating so they pretend that ugly & beat-up is fashionable!
~Julio
snakeherd - Posted - 11/19/2009: 14:20:51
Better yet, put it in a drawer labelled 'original' and buy a new one that's all shiny. Armrests are cheap.
mainejohn - Posted - 11/19/2009: 14:51:11
If I had a nice shiny new one, I'd swap it for yours in a minute.
jims38134 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 15:28:42
Since the banjo is already modified and not original, I would plate it if it bothered me. BUT, if I had the parts to return the banjo to its original condition, I would leave it.
Grinnin&Pickin - Posted - 11/19/2009: 15:38:56
I think it matches the "cigarette burn" type blemish that appears on the head right next to it.
It tells a story.... Don't change a thing!
2many5s - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:41:08
Never, Never NEVER!!!
Bobw - Posted - 11/19/2009: 16:44:10
quote:
Originally posted by Julio B
It looks old and ugly. And it is not an apposite match for your other new pieces.
Plate it and don't pay attention to those who cannot afford new plating so they pretend that ugly & beat-up is fashionable!
~Julio
Wow!! That's quite a presumption to make. 
Edited by - Bobw on 11/19/2009 16:49:05
KLandreth - Posted - 11/19/2009: 17:45:11
The value of old banjos, like any antique, is greatly reduced by refinishing (including replating). The patina of use is revered by both collectors and players...leave it as it is...it looks great.
In addtion, replated parts on an old banjo are always suspect...
Calling the patina of use "old and ugly' in just wrong in so many ways...
Ken Landreth
Edited by - KLandreth on 11/19/2009 18:01:24
jims38134 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 18:00:56
It already has a different neck and tone ring. Replating the arm rest is going to hurt its value?
Edited by - jims38134 on 11/19/2009 18:09:04
dhergert - Posted - 11/19/2009: 18:09:36
Like others here, I'd never replate original parts. Their marks of age are part of their authentication.
I would and do, however, store original high-wear parts safely away and replace them with new ones. Armrests, tailpieces and sometimes tuners fall into that category for me.
jims38134 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 18:20:32
dhergert,
Don't get me wrong. I would keep a banjo all original or in a condition to return to original with no "no going back mods"; but, this one is already non-original.
Edited by - jims38134 on 11/19/2009 18:33:31
lazyarcher - Posted - 11/19/2009: 18:22:38
Janet Davis Music--RK prewar style armrest..$19.99
Probably cheaper and way less hassle than replating the old one...and you keep the old one old and valuable.
RMH - Posted - 11/19/2009: 18:29:19
I do have all of the original parts and I have an extra thin rim, one cut and one not. So, I can return it to it's completely original condition. I have decided to not replate it. Thanks for all the input. Added bonus.... no nickel allergy on this one!
eddie83 - Posted - 11/19/2009: 18:45:21
quote:
Originally posted by Julio B
It looks old and ugly. And it is not an apposite match for your other new pieces.
Plate it and don't pay attention to those who cannot afford new plating so they pretend that ugly & beat-up is fashionable!
~Julio
I can afford to re plate my hoop. I can also afford to replace it. I just figure it still works. Why waste my money. Little offensive dude.
The Old Timer - Posted - 11/19/2009: 20:07:02
No don't replate, that is hard-earned "character".
jdluke - Posted - 11/20/2009: 00:41:45
absolutely NO !
beezaboy - Posted - 11/20/2009: 02:48:46
My 1954 TB 100 - same thing. Bought a shiny repro to go
with rest of shiny hardware and stored the original in
case compartment for my heirs.
dhergert - Posted - 11/20/2009: 02:54:48
Hi Jim,
Yes, and that does give a person more choices. For me, I'd still preserve the original armrest -- which does have some intrinsic value of its own -- and get a new one for daily wear. But that's just me. I don't think an owner would get any distain from any of us for any direction choosen to go (not that that *has to* matter  ).
For me, the bigger issue with many original armrests is welds that will eventually break loose under pressure. Breakage is also an issue with many original tailpieces. Original tension hoops and original flanges also are pretty fragile on some banjos. Those breaks on old original parts are very difficult to repair. A new, shiny part that is nearly unbreakable or that is easy to replace without worries is a very good choice in that case -- and if it's too shiny to match older parts, it can be aged with a number of good techniques.
quote:
Originally posted by jims38134
dhergert,
Don't get me wrong. I would keep a banjo all original or in a condition to return to original with no "no going back mods"; but, this one is already non-original.
Edited by - dhergert on 11/20/2009 03:12:27
RMH - Posted - 11/20/2009: 10:12:01
quote:
Originally posted by Grinnin&Pickin
I think it matches the "cigarette burn" type blemish that appears on the head right next to it.
It tells a story.... Don't change a thing!
That cigarette burn goes all the way through and is covered on the inside by a very old Band Aid  Actually, knowing the original owner, it's probably a cigar burn. This armrest was worn out by a large, hairy, sleeveless, Basque forearm.
Edited by - RMH on 11/20/2009 10:16:49
banjoplyr. - Posted - 11/20/2009: 12:23:25
keep it original...
El Dobro - Posted - 11/20/2009: 15:46:08
Since the banjo is oieced together, leave the original part alone and replace it with a new one, which will get the plating worn off after use anyway.
1935tb-11 - Posted - 11/20/2009: 16:04:51
quote:
Originally posted by jims38134
dhergert,
Don't get me wrong. I would keep a banjo all original or in a condition to return to original with no "no going back mods"; but, this one is already non-original.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- oh lord here we go again........................... i vote NO REPLATE terry m n.c.
Couchie - Posted - 11/21/2009: 05:23:48
It won't sound as good if you change it....
Ronnie - Posted - 11/21/2009: 12:48:34
Personally, I would leave it as is, but it's your banjo.
RB100 - Posted - 11/21/2009: 13:04:24
I really like the looks of the old vintage 'used, but not abused' instruments. I would leave as is...all part of the history of the instrument...
Bill
Brian T - Posted - 11/21/2009: 14:03:10
I'm hoping that mine looks like that some day. Buy a new shiny one if you like. I believe that the old tarnished & worn one is the ghost of many hours of music.
Studebaker Hawk - Posted - 11/22/2009: 07:16:39
If it were mine, I'd paint it with some shiny gold paint. Yeah, that'd make it look purty.
All kidding aside, if the lack of plating bothers you, take the old armrest off and replace it with a new replica. If it ever comes time to sell this instrument, the value of your banjo will probably be greater with the old (and in original condition) armrest re-installed.
Chris Cooper - Posted - 01/01/2010: 10:33:21
I agree with most of the guys that have posted, it does look just fine. Personally I don't like the "badge of honour" school of thought; I want my instrument to look it's best at all times.
If it was my banjo and armrest; I would buy a new good quality armrest and keep the one you have now in it's original condition to not further reduce the originality of the instrument. That way your looking clean and fresh and can put the old one back on whenever you like without jeapordising the value of the banjo.
Nosferatu - Posted - 01/01/2010: 12:27:58
No....Hell no.
RB-1 - Posted - 01/02/2010: 11:45:19
Did anyone mention 'NO'?
Mine: 
Edited by - RB-1 on 01/02/2010 11:48:42
5stringpicker2 - Posted - 01/02/2010: 16:18:10
Not No, But HECK NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
(I )===='---<::)
|
Feeds
