chroming or painting my JT 30 shell
Sat, 10/26/2013 - 13:51
Hi Greg:
from years of my sweaty hands, the surface paint is wearing off on my grey Astic shell. I'm thinking about chroming or painting it. Do you or do you know of anyone who does this and what the approximate cost might be? Does chroming change the tone in any way(I'm assuming that to chrome you probably have to dip the entire shell in? thanks
Sun, 10/27/2013 - 02:16
#2
My first customization
It was a Hohner Bluesblaster. I removed the volume control. I replaced the element by a Shure (the same that in the green bullet made in Mexico). I replaced the connector by a Switchcraft 2501 MP. I polished it and I painted it with Plasti Dip.
Eddy
Mon, 10/28/2013 - 08:43
#3
Cool work Eddy.
Cool work Eddy.
Tue, 10/29/2013 - 08:18
#4
thanks Greg
thanks Greg I'll look into those "painters". if you find your list let me know.
Hi, Doug
Chrome plating is a very involved process. First the mic has to be stripped of its existing paint, any "body work" done and then it has to be polished smooth. Next it has to be plated with copper, followed by nickel, followed by chrome. Each of these steps can require dedicated tank time at the plater. An entire '59 Cadillac bumper would take the same amount of time in each tank. Consequently platers usually have a minimum charge and it can be a well over $100. Mine is $175 - so I would only do a batch of several mics to share that cost. Did it once, cost me about $350 for 6 shells. The results were beautiful but made the shells really expensive so I didn't pursue it. A chrome bullet IS slippery as well - they can be really hard to hold with sweaty hands. Much slipperier than a painted or lacquered finish.
There are several mic builders who paint shells - but I am not one of them. I had a list of 'em somewhere and I'll be damned if I can find it. I hate to name names because I'll leave out some good guys, but do a little Googling on Johnny Ace, Jeffrey Spoor, Dennis Oellig, Chuck Gurney... and I KNOW I'm leaving out a couple other guys who do good work. Sorry you guys!
Oh - and don't worry about this changing the tone.