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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 7!
- Thread starter smperry
- Start date
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I have had my SB5000 for two years now and I got the gold hardware. The gold hardware is starting to look kind of dingy and even after wiping it down it still doesn't look very nice. I am considering replacing all the gold hardware with chrome hardware. I went to the Carvin website and priced it out, it would cost about $200 to do it. Has anyone done this or considered doing this?
I've always disliked gold hardware for this exact reason. Chrome or black is always the way to go IMHO.
Regarding replacing the hardware, it should be pretty easy if you're comfortable setting action and intonation, because you can get the bridges pretty close visually or with a small ruler, but I'm guessing you'll still need to tweak it a little after installation. Other than that, it really should just all bolt up no problem.
Vic said:
The only concern I have is that the serial number is etched on the output jack plate and if I replace it ill lose that. I might call Carvin and see if they can etch it on a chrome one.
kirkm24 said:
Boy, before plunking 30 or more percent of the bass' current value on the hardware, have you thought of trying something like "Brasso" - or other kind of brass cleaner? That might clean up the tarnish or discoloration. If you're willing to swap it out - then know that it could possibly strip off the finish - but is worth a try, where you're already committed to replacing it. It may just work. If it ruins the finish, then you were going to replace them anyway. That's what I would try. $10 investment to try something that might do the trick.
It's not real brass though.... it's just gold colored metal wouldn't brasso destroy the finish on it? I'm not sure I want to lay out the money for new hardware. I'm seriously debating getting an SB4000 soon and I would just get chrome hardware for that one and park the SB5000.
If they're gold plated it shouldn't hurt them. Why not try it on just one of the tuners on the gear casing behind the headstock? If it doesn't look right then no one will really see it.
The problem here is the plate. It's only so thick. Even if it cleans up this time, eventually, it'll start looking "silverish" around edges and such and just simply start looking "dingy" even when polished. How long just depends on how caustic your sweat is and how often you play. So this is only a temporary solution.
kirkm24,
Good point on the serial number. I haven't looked at mine to see if the serial number is also stamped somewhere else (sure seems like it should be I'd think, but that's a manufacturing expense of course). Thing is, even if they c/wouldn't do it, all you have to do is keep the original one stored somewhere along with the rest of the original hardware. It's not like you could really sell it (I don't think, anyway).
I think you better tell us what YOU think when you get it (tho I think I already know what you're gonna' saycarvin in-stock page has some nice sb5000 and 4000!!
I couldnt resist myself and had to buy this beauty..
what u guys think?
).
youngheo said:carvin in-stock page has some nice sb5000 and 4000!!
I couldnt resist myself and had to buy this beauty..
what u guys think?
WOW! How did I miss this one? Great score!
youngheo said:carvin in-stock page has some nice sb5000 and 4000!!
I couldnt resist myself and had to buy this beauty..
what u guys think?
Spectacular!
SB5000 due to arrive at the end of this month, what a bargain these are....Here's my dream 60's Jazz bass with a twist...
-R Ferrari Red
-MA Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard)
PH Headstock To Match Body Finish
-SBH SB-Style Headstock (Standard)
-EB Ebony Fingerboard (Standard)
MP Mother Of Pearl Block Inlays
-FR Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard)
-R14 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
-CH Chrome Hardware (Standard)
-J9A J99A Alnico Single Coil Pickups (Standard)
-BLK Black Pickups
-WP White Pearloid Pickguard
-R Ferrari Red
-MA Maple Neck/Alder Body (Standard)
PH Headstock To Match Body Finish
-SBH SB-Style Headstock (Standard)
-EB Ebony Fingerboard (Standard)
MP Mother Of Pearl Block Inlays
-FR Med-Jumbo Frets .048" H .103" W (Standard)
-R14 14in Fretboard Radius (Standard)
-CH Chrome Hardware (Standard)
-J9A J99A Alnico Single Coil Pickups (Standard)
-BLK Black Pickups
-WP White Pearloid Pickguard
I used Brasso on gold plate, it was in the Ward Room on my ship, luckily no one ever said anything to me, as it took that gold plate right to bare silver metal! I would not be using brasso on anything not real metal. Unless you want bare metal.
True story! Brasso is designed to polish solid brass (like heavy wear/tear type stuff like railings and such). I used to use it all the time on the salad bar rail way back when I was in food services... it takes the tarnish off super quick, but that's because it's strong stuff.
As has been noted, Brasso will probably strip the gold wash/thin electroplate right off. WINDEX is what I'd use - sparingly at best.
(Brasso is solvents and amonia; Windex is just the amonia and a drying agent).
(If the tuning pegs were gold, they'd be too soft to be of any use.)
...just ordered an SB4000 last week - figured I'd have 5-8, but it's looking like 4? I need to pick the one that's gonna get sold then or be in danger of exceeding my "max # basses allowable"
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