Giving a black finish to a bridge

Tymophil · #1 02-17-2008, 03:04 AM

Hi all,

As I stated in a previous thread, I want to put back into playing shape an old Aria Pro II bass with a very special (very narrow spacing) bridge.

I guess I won't find a straight replacement. I thought that I could try to use the old one, but giving a black finish to it. Is it possible ? If so, how ?

Thanks.

knuckle_head · #2 02-17-2008, 10:09 AM

If you want the new finish to last I'd suggest looking around locally for a company that does plating or industrial coatings - black is usually a powder coating process and not something you would want to/could do at home.

El-Bob · #3 02-17-2008, 10:18 AM

http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2701 maybe this is in your price range?

bro)))616 · #4 02-17-2008, 10:34 AM

id like to know to!!

like is there paint we could buy that would work?

GotRoot? · #5 02-17-2008, 10:41 AM

Tymophil,
I found myself in a similar situation w/ an Univox HiFlier. The bridge had a spacing of 15mm. I search high and low and finally found a Schaller bridge that fit the bill at http://www.dguitarparts.com/.

"BB 3533 Schaller® Bass Bridge, Steel, Black, With Adjustable Spacing 1-13/16" to 2-5/8"

Their website is pretty rudimentary, but they are nice people to deal with. I can't find my receipt but if I remember correctly the bridge with shipping came to about $70.00.
I purchased the chrome model and it is a pretty heavy little chunck of metal....nice finish too!
70 bucks is pretty steep but I am sure that having yours replated wouldn't be cheap either.
Good luck with your project! Post some pics!

PS: I am not in any way affiliated w/ Dguitars

Tymophil · #6 02-17-2008, 11:01 AM

I have found some products used for blackening guns. Will they do the trick ?

GotRoot? · #7 02-17-2008, 11:06 AM

Tymophil,
is the bridge brass or chrome?

knuckle_head · #8 02-17-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tymophil

I have found some products used for blackening guns. Will they do the trick ?

That process tends to be a translucent deep blue-grey, but it will work.

Anything applied as a paint that needs to dry will not withstand the rigors of playing for very long.

GotRoot? · #9 02-17-2008, 01:26 PM

Check out Dixie Gun Works
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/default.php

They have the various bluing/browning chemicals you would need. If the bridge is brass there is a chem for blackening.....if it is chrome i'm not sure. If i remember correctly it is difficult to deal with chrome as far as applying a finish to it.

dubyaresee · #10 02-17-2008, 01:45 PM

Duracoat is probably the best you can do in your own home without buying a lot of equipment.

http://www.lauerweaponry.com/images/duracoat_faqs.cfm

It's more gun stuff. It resists abrasion really well, though.

As mentioned above, if you're just doing that one bridge, you'll probably save money having a machine or metalworking shop do it in whatever hot dip tank is appropriate for the type of metal.

Hemitom · #11 02-17-2008, 01:48 PM

I did a Gotoh P bridge a few years back.
Used a red scotchpad to scratch up the chrome(helps the paint adhere)then applied a couple of light coats of VHT Rollbar paint from a rattlecan(self etching epoxy primer) which came out as a very low gloss matt black.
Turned out quiet well and was fairly scratch and stain resistant.

Tymophil · #12 03-06-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GotRoot?

Tymophil,
I found myself in a similar situation w/ an Univox HiFlier. The bridge had a spacing of 15mm. I search high and low and finally found a Schaller bridge that fit the bill at http://www.dguitarparts.com/.

"BB 3533 Schaller® Bass Bridge, Steel, Black, With Adjustable Spacing 1-13/16" to 2-5/8"

The Schaller bridge is not well suited to my Aria Pro II . There is a shallow cavity for the bridge. The cavity makes the Schaller bridge to low, and the cavity is not wide enough.