JEM7VWH Gold Hardware (Tarnish Provention?)

PlayThickStrings · #1 12-31-2002, 01:12 AM

Those of you who own 7VWH (I think that is the only 'Nez made with gold hardware) ... I'm wondering if any of you have ever treated the saddles and bridge plate with any type of solution/sealant that will completely prevent/eliminate the possiblity of it ever tarnishing? I have seen some that are tarnished and they really look like hell. Am trying to avoid this. Thanks.

yurich · #2 12-31-2002, 01:36 AM

I don't think it's avoidable. I have an Edge that was originally cosmo black and right now, it's worn to pure silver with not even a hint of black, and the saddles are disgusting...No complaints though, it fits right in with my beater guitar

wyldbill · #3 12-31-2002, 01:38 AM

Unless I remember my chemistry wrong, gold doesn't tarnish (oxidize). Silver will, tho (Ag->Ag2O). The stuff you've seen is probably wear on the finish or funk. You should clean the bridge when done playing and try not to scrape the bridge up. Or not play it. Or play the hell out of it and replace the bridge when it needs it.

FWIW,
-bill

Rabin · #4 12-31-2002, 01:43 AM

The gold hardware on my trem has been wearing out quite a bit, I didnt do anything about it, cause I feel it adds soul to the guitar, but a friend of mine was telling me about a kinda of lacquer (a bit like transluscent nail varnish) that's used to cover up the gold coating. This has to be applied every year or year and a half for sound protection.
I dunno if this method works, guess our tech friends out here will have a more precise answer for you anyway!

PlayThickStrings · #5 12-31-2002, 01:47 AM

I guess I'm used to original Floyd Rose bridges that never ever fade... if anyone know of an exact material/brand/where i can get it.. i will coat my saddle and bridge with it just to be sure, because inside a month i can picture all the "gold" wearing off....

SalemB · #6 12-31-2002, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyldbill

Unless I remember my chemistry wrong, gold doesn't tarnish (oxidize). Silver will, tho (Ag->Ag2O).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the finish is real gold.

leishan · #7 12-31-2002, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayThickStrings

I guess I'm used to original Floyd Rose bridges that never ever fade... if anyone know of an exact material/brand/where i can get it.. i will coat my saddle and bridge with it just to be sure, because inside a month i can picture all the "gold" wearing off....

I have an original Floyd on a late 80's Kramer and the gold finish on it is gone. it looks pretty nasty.

wyldbill · #8 12-31-2002, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalemB

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyldbill

Unless I remember my chemistry wrong, gold doesn't tarnish (oxidize). Silver will, tho (Ag->Ag2O).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the finish is real gold.

I'd be very surprised if it's not a gold alloy. It's probably not 24K plating (pure), but a 14K plate so that it doesn't wear off even faster. Why are you so sure it's not?

PlayThickStrings · #9 12-31-2002, 12:08 PM

If that bridge was pure solid 24k gold, it might justify the $1300 price of the 7VWH. I've seen older models and the "gold" wears off... pits, corrodes, tarnishes, etc. Since mine is essentially flawless right now, all I was asking for is if any of you know of a proven method that prevents it. I'm not the kinda guy who whipes down his guitar after every session/show, and I do sweat a lot, so mine is going to get gnarled in a hurry unless I treat it somehow first... Surely someone has done this?

Happy Jaagermeister Year to you all...

rvj · #10 12-31-2002, 02:09 PM

The gold finish on my VWH started to show wear after only two weeks. Since then, I've managed to slow down the process by completely changing my picking style. Which is a good thing considering that resting your hand on a floating trem does'nt work too well. I've also gone through a handful of gold bridges on my Les Paul.

jemke · #11 12-31-2002, 02:13 PM

Chemistry lesson 1!

gold is a soft metal even in alloys!! An engineer who even tries to make something of gold that needs to stand the abuse of a guitartrem has paid his teachers to pass the exam.
I didn't pay them!

A thin layer, just for the looks is possible. Indeed gold does'nt oxidize but because it is soft it wil be rubbed of even faster as the usual trems do.

Metal Messiah · #12 01-01-2003, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvj

The gold finish on my VWH started to show wear after only two weeks. Since then, I've managed to slow down the process by completely changing my picking style. Which is a good thing considering that resting your hand on a floating trem does'nt work too well. I've also gone through a handful of gold bridges on my Les Paul.

I rest my hand on the floating trem, but it doesn't go out of tune. I play the JEM7vwh. Maybe I just don't put a lot of pressure on it or something, I don't know. I have been playing floating trems all my life (that's all I have ever owned), so maybe I am just lucky to be so used to it.

amt7565 · #13 01-01-2003, 11:03 AM

It's a shame an expensive guitar has to lose it's shine on Gold over time. Ibanez can certainly do better to add some alloy or finish to prevent from tarnish. Seems like even Ibanez fails to test certain aspects of the guitar like ALT (accelerated Life Test) commonly followed in the technology companies.

EKG · #14 01-01-2003, 02:04 PM

Ah....let it fade...it looks so cool! Shows that you play :-)

Akhenaten · #15 01-01-2003, 06:00 PM

I agree... If a guitar is that cool anyway, I doubt it's gonna stay perfect.