Chrome Guitars

J. Oxley · #1 05-18-2006, 06:36 AM

Hey, i was wondweing if you guys could help me on this. The guitarist in my band makes his own guitars. Hes working on one now, he was telling me he wants the entire body to be mirrored or chrome looking. Apparently there is a guitar called the Satriani Chrome Boy made this way. If anyone knows anything about how to get this look, that would be great. I suggested chrome paint, but apparently he wants it full on almost like a mirror if you get my drift.

Magical_Max · #2 05-18-2006, 06:49 AM

Can't offer any help in making it chrome but it will be a royal pain in the a** to keep that clean.

westland · #3 05-18-2006, 07:08 AM

You'd want to chrome plate it ... I think you can do this with any properly prepared surface, and a huge vat and electrodes. Check around the internet for chrome plating plastics or wood.

But you are going to need a big vat and a lot of solution for something the size of a guitar. The alternative is to get an automobile plating company to do it ... you may have to look around, but they do exist.

Toasted · #4 05-18-2006, 07:36 AM

Sims Custom in the UK does it. Look at their techniques at:

http://www.simscustom.com/

I'm sure you can get some useful info.

Bardolph · #5 05-18-2006, 04:49 PM

If you're playing an outdoor gig I imagine you could really get on some people's nerves that aren't wearing sunglasses.

**SoComSurfing** · #6 05-18-2006, 05:33 PM

IIRC, you have to have the chrome redone fairly often, as sweat and wear-and-tear take their toll quickly. Here's a pic of the Satriani Chromeboy and the Warwick that Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit) advertised:

**MAJOR METAL** · #7 05-18-2006, 05:38 PM

Diamond Plate is pretty cool as well

J. Oxley · #8 05-18-2006, 06:20 PM

Yeah, we thought about chome plating it, but apparently they have to be dipped in a liquid thats about 1300 degrees Celsius. Im guessing wood would just incinerate at that temperature. That checkerplate guitar is pretty cool, i wonder how thats done.

westland · #9 05-18-2006, 10:22 PM

If you go the Sims route for plating, be sure to stud the entire bass with LEDs, and also, buy the laser ring for your fret hand (see picture).

Ouch!

ZombieGhosTrain · #10 05-18-2006, 10:47 PM

I watched a band that had some lasers...although I think it was just attached to the end of his headless bass. They were cool only when they hit the singer in the eyes and sent her reeling, and then he hit a bunch of other people. Didn't like that band.

But, I like the idea of those finger dealies, point 'em at your chrome guitarist!

BOOCAKE4U · #11 05-21-2006, 03:52 PM

there is a type of paint called "alclad" (google it) that will give you a perfect mirrored chrome finish...kind of expensive, but beats trying to chrome wood (!!)...airbrush it on, clearcoat it about 200 times and DISCO! a fairly durable chrome guitar finish

evan_phi · #12 05-21-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by westland

If you go the Sims route for plating, be sure to stud the entire bass with LEDs, and also, buy the laser ring for your fret hand (see picture).

Ouch!

*gasp*

that is SO kick-ass!

v-12 · #13 05-21-2006, 08:47 PM

don't know where he got it done, but my old guitar player assembled a warmoth guitar and had it chromed, and it looked sweet! the main problem was the weight, it must have added AT LEAST 5 pounds to it!! still sounded great though......

scorpionldr · #14 05-21-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoComSurfing

IIRC, you have to have the chrome redone fairly often, as sweat and wear-and-tear take their toll quickly. Here's a pic of the Satriani Chromeboy and the Warwick that Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit) advertised:

i think I'd probably want a chrome bass someday. I remember looking at River's bass and it was rusted and it STILL looked awesome