jc120amp Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Hey, I have a older Epiphone Les Paul Custom and the gold plated pickups and tuners have tarnished over the years. What is something to do to help keep the new Sheraton II from doing the same.. Thanks in advance for any help you could provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-hollowbody Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Is it me or does the tarnished gold hardware shorten string life as well...I have 3 epiphones, ONE of them is a dot with gold hardware...bridge/tail, pup covers, tuners...and the strings on this guitar NEVER last nearly as long as my others, they get gunked up, corroded, dead, quickly and I dont even play this guitar the most never ever buy a guitar with gold hardware again...not me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheapShoes Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I have two guitars with that issue from the day they were "new". I think just from being displayed an played in the store. I have yet to see a store that wipes the guitars down after each day. Unfortunately, I feel this a permanent change - as any major tarnish remover would just remove the gold layer even more. But honestly, I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Zeplin Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Hey, I have a older Epiphone Les Paul Custom and the gold plated pickups and tuners have tarnished over the years. What is something to do to help keep the new Sheraton II from doing the same.. Thanks in advance for any help you could provide. That has always been a problem with Epi's gold plating. Only thing I can think of is to wipe it down after playing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Zeplin Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I have two guitars with that issue from the day they were "new". I think just from being displayed an played in the store. I have yet to see a store that wipes the guitars down after each day. Unfortunately, I feel this a permanent change - as any major tarnish remover would just remove the gold layer even more. But honestly, I don't know. I have read that tarnish removers and polishes will strip the plating off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemans335 Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I have a number of Epi's with gold hardware. It can stay in good condition indefinitely, if you wipe it down with a soft cloth (or old washcloth or your shirttail) after every time you play it, and that only takes a few seconds. Most players don't do that & the sweat, oil, and dirt on their hands causes the tarnishing. I also use guitar polish to keep the wood parts, especially the neck, from getting covered in old sweat (which looks and feels awful). There are some individuals with a body chemistry that corrodes metals, and they can kill strings in a matter of days. I knew one guy that had to put on new strings for every gig (and he was gigging often), because he sweated a lot and his strings would go dead in no time. If you're one of these guys, youy're going to be hard on gold hardware too. If you can spare 5 or 10 seconds to wipe down your bridge, tailpiece, and PU covers before you put your guitar back in it's case, you can keep gold hardware looking nice for a long time. To me it's worth it, I love the way it looks. If you're not that disciplined, you're much better off with chrome or nickel; those are a lot more forgiving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amx05462 Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 i have only one guitar with gold tuners its a ej 200. i dont like the looks of gold but its just my preference. that being said the only way to stop wear is a coating onit. like they do with brass beds to keep them from tarnishing.. usually a coat of clear lacquer.. only way to fix tarnished gold to my knowledge is a bright dip. or replating. having it done is expensive.. but caswell plating supply sells a gold plating kit.. i personally havent used that one but had good luck with there nickel and chrome kits in the past . prep is everything though. prep and polishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Zeplin Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I have a number of Epi's with gold hardware. It can stay in good condition indefinitely, if you wipe it down with a soft cloth (or old washcloth or your shirttail) after every time you play it, and that only takes a few seconds. Most players don't do that & the sweat, oil, and dirt on their hands causes the tarnishing. I also use guitar polish to keep the wood parts, especially the neck, from getting covered in old sweat (which looks and feels awful). There are some individuals with a body chemistry that corrodes metals, and they can kill strings in a matter of days. I knew one guy that had to put on new strings for every gig (and he was gigging often), because he sweated a lot and his strings would go dead in no time. If you're one of these guys, youy're going to be hard on gold hardware too. If you can spare 5 or 10 seconds to wipe down your bridge, tailpiece, and PU covers before you put your guitar back in it's case, you can keep gold hardware looking nice for a long time. To me it's worth it, I love the way it looks. If you're not that disciplined, you're much better off with chrome or nickel; those are a lot more forgiving. Nickel tarnishes too. I actually like the look of tarnished nickel cause it gives that vintage, well-played look. I rarely clean my guitars other than to dust them. You won't have to worry about that with Epis since they use chrome. Tarnished, peeling, pitted gold hardware looks awful though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 It appears to be more a matter of the quality of the plating. I've owned some gold plated guitars that tarnish while you watch, and others that have remained like new as long as I've owned them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingman180 Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I use automotive wax with no cleaning agents in it on my gold hardware. That plus wiping it down seems to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lengle1981 Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Gotta be honest, when it starts to fade it gives it some character in my opinion. If it happens it happens, I don't mind the look when gold is tarnished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat-o-steve Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Hey, I have a older Epiphone Les Paul Custom and the gold plated pickups and tuners have tarnished over the years. What is something to do to help keep the new Sheraton II from doing the same.. Thanks in advance for any help you could provide. I had an Epi with gold hardware once. I couldn't keep the darn hardware from turning green to save my life! The problem seemed worse when left in a case for any length of time. Sometimes off-gassing from plastic parts/finishes on the guitar can cause corrosion on the hardware if left in a case. Also, the case itself can tarnish hardware too, either due to moisture in the case itself, or off-gassing from chemicals in the case materials. Otherwise, leaving the guitar out on a stand, in a controlled environment seemed to work best for me. Just wipe your guitars down well after playing. Some people's sweat acts like acid on the finish and hardware! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemans335 Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Some people's sweat acts like acid on the finish and hardware! +1. They could bottle it and sell it as a universal solvent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 +1. They could bottle it and sell it as a universal solvent. A true universal solvent will dissolve any bottle too, so selling the stuff is gonna be problematic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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