Corroded tailpiece on my Gibson A-5L

[Gizardo]

I’ve owned a 93 Gibson A-5L for a couple years now and really enjoy it but it has a chrome tailpiece and cover with gold accents which are both corroded, not tarnished. It’s the only blemish on this fine example of Steve Carlton’s handiwork. I’m thinking as young as the instrument is there must have been a problem with the plating when the tailpiece was manufactured. Does anyone have a lead on a replacement tailpiece? I contacted Gibson and since I am not the original owner their customer service department was not helpful. I know I could replace the tailpiece with any number of more superior tailpieces that are available but I am hellbent on keeping the instrument unmodified.

[UsuallyPickin]

You may be able to have it cleaned and re-plated at a plating facility. Finding a replacement an exact is unlikely. Good luck... R/

[George R. Lane]

Nothing on ebay, but I did find this. He is known for his high quality work.
https://gregboyd.com/product/prucha-...son-logo-gold/

[MikeEdgerton]

Could you post a picture of the tailpiece cover? They have changed a bit over the years.

[Gizardo]

I thought about that but the engraving in the piece would have to be redone. I’ll post a photo later today and you’ll see what I mean.

[Ivan Kelsall]

You could look for a long time to find an ''exact'' replacement. Personally,i'd have it re-plated. At least that way you retain the 'original tailpiece,& i wouldn't worry too much re.the engraving. OR - if you plan on keeping the mandolin for a long time,i'd replace the tailpiece with one made by Prucha :- http://en.pruchabanjos.cz/part.php?p...lin-tailpieces The 3rd option has ''Gibson'' engraved on it. Prucha made tailpieces(amongst many other items) for Gibson over a long period,& the one on yours might very well be a Prucha to begin with,
Ivan

[mandroid]

What I sense is the base metal has shown thru . gold is soft.. it cannot be heat treated,

Gold does not corrode, thats why its used in electronics contacts,

so I am voting get the cover replated, then overspray it with clear lacquer
or even epoxy so the gold wont wear off so soon again..

though 25 years is pretty good ,
considering the electroplating is just a couple microns thick.
Given the cost of gold these days .

{you can leave the piece in the plating bath, for a thicker deposition,
for as long as you can afford it}



I got an Au plated James TP, I epoxied a piece of Ebony on the cover, polished,
that took care of that.
.



...

[dan in va]

If'n it was me, it would get an extra good plating job. After having a look at the Gibson pineapple shaped TP covers and banjo hardware from that era, it became clear that a good quality plating will last through many owners.

[UsuallyPickin]

This is what my 90' tailpiece cover looks like. And it is beginning to show some sweat wear. R/

[Timbofood]

Plating will simply deteriorate due to chemical activity in sweat, best option I might suggest is find a really good plater (lotsa luck) and then have someone spray it with clearcoat like Imron, a good bench jeweler might be able to repolish and replate it but, it might take some time. The final “protective” coat, is a different dilemma.
Good luck, share results please!!

[Ivan Kelsall]

Gold plating will wear,but it won't corrode. If it's sprayed with laqcuer,it'll look like plastic. Leave the gold plating as it is. My grandfather's ''gold'' pocket watch which i now own,is close to 100 years old & the plating is still like new. Inside it says that it's ''10 year plate'' = heavily plated.

To do a proper re-plating job,the existing plating will be removed by a 'reverse plating' process. It will then be polished,''copper flash'' plated (very thin copper coating), then re-plated with the metal of your choice,& finally polished. You'll probably loose most of the definition in the engraving though. It might be less expensive to buy a new Prucha tailpiece - at least the engraving would be intact,
Ivan

[Timbofood]

Ivan, with respect, your 100 year old pocket watch case is not electroplated, it (like many watches in my collection) are “Rolled Gold Plate” very very different process. It is actually sheet materials usually brass as base and sheet gold which were rolled under heat and pressure briar to the case pieces being stamped. The thickness is head and shoulders heavier than the few microns whis electroplating provides.
That said, I’d agree with the Prucha purchase.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Tim - Inside the back cover of the watch it says ''50 year plate'' - so i assume that it's plated ?. I understand your comment re.rolled Gold,but it does say 'Plate' ??,
Ivan

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hello again Tim - Having had a second think about it - the ''Plate'' could indeed be a ref. to Rolled Gold,but i'd have thought that i would have specifically said ''Rolled Gold''. Anyway - if an item is heavily gold plated with 9ct Gold,it should last for many decades unless it's polished away.

My Grandfather's watch, a ''Half Hunter'',has a 4 Jewel Swiss movement,housed in a Kay & Co.of Worcester case & was retailed by Kay & Co.,
Ivan

[GTison]

https://gregboyd.com/product/prucha-...son-logo-gold/

a link to Gregboyd's He shows these TP on his site. They don't look the same and look more like an F4 or old A model engraving. But they do come in various platings.