Mouthpiece restoration by Vladimir Fridman at Dillon Music

[jperry1466]

After getting good suggestions from several members on having my 1926 Buescher mpc replicated, another member of this group who is also an old college mate suggested I contact Vladmir Fridman to see what he could do. Other repair techs had shied away from it, but all my questions and concerns got a "that's easy" or "it's no problem" from him. He sleeved and added length to the shank, got all but a couple of the deepest gouges out of the rim, and replated it, all for what I thought was a ridiculously low price. Wish I could have gotten it replated in the original nickel, but I could not be more pleased at this master's work.

[jperry1466]

looks great, and you can shine it up nicely and send it to Anderson Silver Plating, if you REALLY want it nickel plated.

They can nickel plate right over the silver and (this...) nickel plating does NOT require a perfect/professionally-done polishing job in order to look (well...) "perfect".

Thank you. I did not realize that. I had Anderson re-plate the mouthpiece that Rex Conner gave me and was very pleased with that. I sent this one to Dillon, because no one in Texas was willing to take on sleeving that lathed down shank, and I am very pleased with how it turned out. The original finish was nickel, and I liked the slickness/smoothness/"softness" of the feel.

Since we're on the subject, Bloke, what, in your opinion, would be the disadvantage of nickel?
Thanks.

[tbonesullivan]

Nickel plate can flake and become sharp. This is one of the reasons it really isn't used for mouthpiece plating, from my understanding.

[bort]

Maybe not so much for mouthpieces, but wasn't nickel plating popular for climates with salty air (Baltic states)? The Nickel finish was more resistant to corrosion ?

[jperry1466]

Some old mouthpieces that appear to be nickel plated are actually rhodium plated. Others are actually STAINLESS nickel plated (which is a chrome-nickel allow and somewhat bluish in color...similar to the way your pre-restored mouthpiece APPEARS - ?? - in your "before" picture).

Pretty sure you hit the nail on the head. I looked up rhodim plating, and the example looked exactly like my original finish, bluish tinge and all. I wanted to restore the mouthpiece to as near the original as possible, but after your (and others') input, it will remain silver. I can love any rim finish that doesn't feel like a porcupine on my lips.

Thanks, bloke and everyone who responded, for the responses.

[joh_tuba]

The problem with nickel is that with enough exposure many people will eventually develop nickel sensitivity and get a rash etc from touching it.

It's the reason that plenty of women and girls can't wear 'cheap jewelry'. It's made of nickel and with enough exposure they start having adverse reactions.

Just enjoy your silver mouthpiece.

[iiipopes]

Nickel plate can flake and become sharp. This is one of the reasons it really isn't used for mouthpiece plating, from my understanding.

Indeed. And more people are prone to having a nickel allergy than a silver allergy. I recommend keeping it silver.