gold-plating mouthpiece

Lee Jacobs · Post by **Lee Jacobs** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 10:33 am

Does anyone have any experience with getting a mouthpiece gold plated? I want a bobo signature solo mouthpiece, but my wallet wants the replica. I was wondering if anyone knows about how much it would cost to get one gold plated, and where I can get it done. Thanks.

Lee

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:22 am

Lee Jacobs wrote: I was wondering if anyone knows about how much it would cost to get one gold plated, and where I can get it done. Thanks.

I don't know about cost, but check with Anderson http://www.andersonsilverplating.com

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:35 am

Terry Warburton posts a price of $100 for a tuba mouthpiece on his web site:

http://www.warburton-usa.com/catalog-custom.htm

The Impaler · Post by **The Impaler** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:37 am

Don't know the pricing off the top of my head, but I would give Dave Houser a call. I have a gold plated euph mouthpiece that he made for me and it's the best plating job I've ever had done. His website has contact information. www.housermouthpiece.com.

Chen · Post by **Chen** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 12:34 pm

I took my mouthpiece to a local jewler for gold-plating, it cost me $35, and I really liked the result, too.

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:10 pm

I hadn't heard of anyone taking their mouthpiece to a jeweler to be gold plated. Sounds like a good idea. Do any of the bright and experienced minds on this forum have anything to say as to how this might work out?

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 4:22 pm

TubaRay wrote:I hadn't heard of anyone taking their mouthpiece to a jeweler to be gold plated. Sounds like a good idea. Do any of the bright and experienced minds on this forum have anything to say as to how this might work out?

Should work fine, if you can find a jeweler that does plating. You might als check the local phone book for other platers. Most platers could do this easy.

It you need restoration, or more accure work (like valves) then they aren't much help

Daniel C. Oberloh · Post by **Daniel C. Oberloh** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 5:01 pm

Dont, screw around, Its just a mouthpiece. If you want to be sure that it is done correctly, here is a little advice, do with it what you will. Most jewelers do not work in brass, there is more to plating then you think. The piece will need to be properly prepared before plating. The cost of such work in not real expensive, I do it all the time. Take it to your local Experienced brass specialist, have them polish it and prep it for plate, have them send it to Anderson Silver Plating Co. Inc. and have the plate job done properly. This is the straight, no nonsense way to get it done. A.S.P. Inc. does good quality, Industrial grad plate work that will last. I know this for fact as they have done hundreds of instruments for me and thousands of mouthpieces with few problems and none that could not be corrected.

If your local brass guy is unable or unwilling to help you with your needs, find another brass guy. This is not rocket science. Good luck.
Best regards,

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
Seattle, WA
206.241.5767
www.oberloh.com

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 5:17 pm

Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:Take it to your local Experienced brass specialist

Now there's the trick. Local doesn't exist for some of us.
For me, Memphis is 3 hours drive, but Joe is closing

Wade, mentioned someplace 2.5 hours away, still not what I'd call "local".

The wonders of living in BFE.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 5:21 pm

ThomasDodd wrote:
Daniel C. Oberloh wrote:Take it to your local Experienced brass specialist
Now there's the trick. Local doesn't exist for some of us.
For me, Memphis is 3 hours drive, but Joe is closing
Wade, mentioned someplace 2.5 hours away, still not what I'd call "local".

Then you probably should send it off to a mouthpiece outfit that produces gold-plated mouthpieces and knows what the heck they're doing. Houser, Warburton, whoever, will do a good job for you--their repuration's on the line.

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 5:39 pm

Here's one source:

http://www.1800usaband.com/htmls/PDF/BrassRepair.pdf

They charge $60 for gold plating, plus shipping both ways. Many of the dealers listed in the shops section of this site can do it for a similar price. Dillons did a couple of mine years ago. I assume that they sent them away, but I am very happy with the results.

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 6:10 pm

Chuck(G) wrote: Then you probably should send it off to a mouthpiece outfit that produces gold-plated mouthpieces and knows what the heck they're doing. Houser, Warburton, whoever, will do a good job for you--their repuration's on the line.

Lee was looking, not me. He was asking for options.

FWIW, I'm getting ready to send my valves to Anderson for replating. I hope they can be done for the low end of the quote. I did ask local shops, and none would even try it

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:04 am

I know from experience that Dillons charges $40 for the plating job, so call them up or go to www.dillonmusic.com they could probably have it to you within a week or so of them getting it. I have had three mouthpieces dome through them and I have been very happy with the results.

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:06 pm

yeah....Dillons' uses a guy in the city (Brass Lab? I think) who has always been very quick. I usually drop my mouthpiece off and have them ship it to me....usually about a week , maybe 10 days total.

vmi5198 · Post by **vmi5198** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 9:44 pm

Yes, I must also recommend Dillon. I shipped my Dillon S3 from Canada to have it gold plated, and it was back in Canada 2 weeks later, extremely cold (due to Canadian winters) and glowing a bright gold. Matt did suggest I take it to a local jeweller first though, which I did. After talking with the jeweller, they advised me not to get it done with them, as their plating would wear off within a month or two. Friends and colleagues of mine have also recommended not to go to a local jeweller.

Go with Dillon. You are sure to get great service, great price, and a great job done as well.

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