Question Music Man Vintage Trem

[ScreaminFloyd]

Has Music Man ever made an all Black Vintage Tremelo? As in the JP Stealth Trem ? What ever it's coated with, Does it ever come off? An all Black Stealth Silhouette and a Black Cowboy hat would look great.

 

[jamminjim]

I don't think they've ever made a vintage trem in black. And if it weren't black chrome or black stainless who would want one?

 

[bod]

I don't think they've ever made a vintage trem in black. And if it weren't black chrome or black stainless who would want one?

yes they did, on the JPX for instance

 

[whitestrat]

What ever it's coated with, Does it ever come off?

I've wondered what that process is that they use to blacken the trems. If it's paint or a spray on solution, it will definately wear (or worse, bubble), as it's a laminate.

However, since BP is a watch freak, I'm suspecting (and hoping) that it's a PVD process (physical vapour dispersion) using Titanium Carbonitride, which is a lot more hardy and wear resistant. (also used in coating drill bit tips and makes them self-lubricating) It won't bubble either. However when it scratches, then the base metal shows.

IF EBMM employs the plasma treatment (and I doubt, since it's not commonly used), that's very cool, because it actually makes the Titanium Carbonitride penetrate the steel down by a few microns so that when scratched, the scratch remains black.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I have a stealth Bongo that starts to show some wear on the bridge but the interesting thing is that the wear is showing on the screws only, not on the bridge itself

So you can trust EBMM when they go for a black piece they make sure it will last for long

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

Thanks for the replys guys. On The JP Stealth and JPX in photos I love how the strings kind of disappear into the headstock and black hardware. Maybe we'll get a Stealth all black Silo someday. As for the screws showing wear, Maybe a black Sharpie could do the trick?

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

I've wondered what that process is that they use to blacken the trems. If it's paint or a spray on solution, it will definately wear (or worse, bubble), as it's a laminate.

However, since BP is a watch freak, I'm suspecting (and hoping) that it's a PVD process (physical vapour dispersion) using Titanium Carbonitride, which is a lot more hardy and wear resistant. (also used in coating drill bit tips and makes them self-lubricating) It won't bubble either. However when it scratches, then the base metal shows.

IF EBMM employs the plasma treatment (and I doubt, since it's not commonly used), that's very cool, because it actually makes the Titanium Carbonitride penetrate the steel down by a few microns so that when scratched, the scratch remains black.

Whats BP's Fav watch? Now I've never owned a gold hardware guitar, But with the gold harware I love the faded look on the p/u covers. Things like that are easy to replace though. Black hardware to me seems more durable/solid. That really makes sense about watch plating though. With sweat,exposure to the elements the plating would have to be very durable.