Saturday 15 March 2014

Metal plating Ukes. Gold, Chrome, Nickel

As part of my restorations i wanted to learn how to re-plate the metals.

it does involve a lot of effort, certainly more than i realised.

My first one was a gold plated Ludwig, shown previously on my blog.

I am now listed on the gold plating guild, and can offer plating services for Uke repairs in various finishes.
contact me through the blog for more info

Ludwig bolts getting gold plated

My wife's jewelry was silver plated

Gold plated Ludwig

more prep!

the finished article

Unique Gold Plated Ludwig Wendell Hall

Here we have a very special instrument.
Gold plated with 24k Gold, gives a stunning effect.
A one of a kind special!

I bought this uke and it was in a very poor condition. Some one had given it a coat of varnish with a brush!

The uke was stripped back to the natural wood, and then re-finished in my usual style with Tru-oil. It has a slight shine, and the wood grain is clear to see.

All the metal work was quite tarnished and worn so i decided to gold plate. I'm pretty new to gold plating, and i'd say its not perfect. But it does look very good.

New tuners were fitted, of course i gold plated those too! i even gold plated all the screws to complete the look.
This Ludwig has a black edging round the pot. My other has a white stripe.

Once the calf skin vellum was fitted, the uke went back together. These Ludwig's always fit back together very well. A sign of the quality of construction.

The sound is as clear as any other Ludwig i have played. The fretboard does show some wear, and the decal on the headstock is slightly worn, but i thought it added character leaving it as it is.


A lot of hours work, but a very satisfying uke to restore, and now for sale!

Advertised here

http://www.andyeastwood.com/Ludwig-Wendell-Hall-ukulele-banjo-sba.htm

What a Mess!


De-tarnished metal work

Now gold plated

Re-finished wood with Tru-oil

Almost done!

The light shines off the gold

A custom finish, one of a kind!

And alongside my original Wendell Hall