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Topic: Re-chrome a BJS bar? |
Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 4:22 pm |
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I was recently given a older BJS bar (1" X 3 5/16") that had no noticeable dings, scratches or problems when I got it. After using it at home to rehearse with, I noticed that is getting 'scratchy' and there are several very small, dark 'pits' or places where the shiny chrome is now gone.
Is there a way to get this re-chromed? Where and cost?
Thanx,
Jim |
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Lynn Stafford
From:
Ridgefield, WA USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 5:48 pm BJS Bar
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Jim,
Here is a link for Bill's web site:
http://www.bjsbars.com/
If you contact him you'll be taken care of!
_________________
Best regards,
Lynn Stafford
STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)
Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)
ZumSteel Authorized Service Technician
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 7:29 pm
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| I've experienced the same pitting on several BJS bars, maybe there were some bad batches of plating? Great bars, I'd hate to do without while sending 'em back! |
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Dale Hansen
From:
Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 10:02 pm Re: BJS Bar
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| Lynn Stafford wrote: |
Jim,
Here is a link for Bill's web site:
http://www.bjsbars.com/
If you contact him you'll be taken care of! |
Jim,
Lynn is not exaggerating in the least.
I had a BJS bar that had developed the same type of "cancer" that you and Mark both described.
I kept, and played that bar for several years thinking that it was simply my problem to live with,
and developed the habit of keeping the "spotty" side up and away from the strings.
I took advice through a suggestion from a pal, to contact Bill about it.
I was embarrassed to call him after having used it that way for so many years, and thinking that I had probably (inadvertently) done something to create the problem myself.
He asked me if I could send it in for his inspection, and I promptly did so.
A few days later, I received a brand new bar from him, and it didn't seem matter to him one bit how long I had it, or whether or not I'd been using it to knap arrowheads and drive furniture tacks.
He just simply replaced it. He's a stand-up guy, and doesn't want anything that bears his name to be a bad testimony.
Also, in Bill's defense, Sometimes a flaw, or vulnerability in a production process (for any craftsman) doesn't appear for a considerable time after the fact.
At any rate, Bill is willing to provide a remedy for any bad products that exist, but he does rely on us, the customers, to be made aware of them. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 6:46 am
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I had a bar of Bill's.
The chrome was wearing thin on the butt end.
I told Bill about it and he sent me a new bar.
He said that at one time he sent some bars out for chroming and was disappointed in the job they did.
If you have a complaint, Bill will take care of it!  |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 10:37 am
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That is real customer care.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 10:49 am
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| Besides that, he is a very fine individual. |
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Alan Pagliere
From:
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 1:35 pm Ditto
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I bought a BJS bar a few months back. It was very nice but had the tiniest little ding in it. I was 90% willing to just play with it with the ding side up; I figured I could just live with it. But I got over my sheepishness, I called Bill. No questions, no problems. I sent him mine. He replaced it. Done.
Bill is great. |
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Bill Stroud
From:
Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 3:15 pm 1" Bar
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Hi Jim,
I sent you an email from your email, even tho you did not buy the bar and it was a gift, I made it, so send it to me and you will be taken care of.
Yes it's like some have said on this thread, I did have a bad plating job done on several bars that I've had to replace(several), but that's part of growing up, I tried a new plater years ago, hard lesson but I learned very fast if it's not broken don't fix it.
That's why I've said before not everyone that claims they can Industrial Hard Chrome, use the correct chemicals and you pay later.
All I ask is you pay for the shipping cost, now that keep's Shirl Girl off my back. ha ha
Sorry you had the problem.
Bill |
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Roger Guyett
From:
San Francisco, Ca.
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 3:25 pm
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Bill is a terrific guy!
I recently bought a whole bunch of stuff (including a new bar) and he was a real pleasure to deal with!
Roger |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 3:26 pm
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Bill,
I will gladly pay any shipping and handling cost. Also, please know that I bought one of your 3/4" bars a few years ago, and after more than 400 jobs it is still like new, no scratches, dings or anything else.
As soon as you send me the mailing address, it wil be sent.
Thanx,
Jim |
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Bill Stroud
From:
Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 3:31 pm Bjs
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Hi Jim,
I sent you an email of my address, and thanks for using the BJS Bars,
Bill |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 5 Jun 2009 1:18 am
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Not to mention that if you took the bar to a plater, he would have to strip the bar to bare metal, polish it, and go through the plating process from scratch. Being a "one off" job, you would probably pay twice what a new bar would cost. I used to be foreman of a plating plant, and back in the 80's, we would have probably charged $100 (minimum charge) to polish and to re-chrome that bar. Very time intensive.
Bill's bars are the best. |
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Bill Stroud
From:
Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Jun 2009 6:51 am Thanks
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Thanks Richard for chiming in, and you're right to do one bar would probably be more than a 100.00.
Thanks to all of you for your support, I try my best to take care of any problems that I think is legit.
Bill |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 11:19 pm
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I bought a bar from a reputable steel guitar dealer who is on this site, so I won't name names, and it was dinged up and the chrome was patchy new out of the box!
The dealer said he would replace the bar, so I emailed him my address, and he did not replace the bar.
I guess I will try contacting BJs to see if I can swap it out. Its my practice bar at home - but still, I paid full price might as well get full quality. |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2009 6:03 am
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Just to close out my original question, BJS (Bill) determined I had one of the 'bad batch' of chrome plated bars and swapped it out for a perfect one.
I fully support his products and especially his old fashioned business ethics of standing behind his products and making sure the customer is satisfied.
Thanx,
Jim |
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