The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Sourcing Chrome Trim Strips
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Sourcing Chrome Trim Strips
Ron Forrest

 

From:
Logan Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 4 Dec 2022 8:31 am    
Reply with quote

Hi,

Were does everyone source the chrome trim strips from? I'm reburbing a 79 Zum and would like to replace these as they are damaged on the top edges.

Thanks

Ron
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 7 Dec 2022 3:34 pm    
Reply with quote

About all you can find in the stores anymore is 1/2 in. Zums, and most other strips are more narrow than that. You might be able to source some of these aluminum strips from one of our steel builders or possibly have a metals supplier cut some the proper width for you.
View user's profile Send private message

Mark Lee


From:
Southern IL
Post  Posted 7 Dec 2022 4:29 pm    
Reply with quote

I recently ordered an aluminum trim strip from Al Brisco for a D10 Carter guitar. Al secured it to a wood dowel to protect it during shipping.
The ZumSteel trim may have different dimensions from the Carter, and I'd suggest that if you order one, get it from a USA address since shipping costs from Canada will roughly double the cost of the part.
If you live near a city, you might check with local metal dealers. It's likely that they may have aluminum flat stock of the correct dimensions. The piece would still need to be polished with a buffing wheel and compound.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Forrest

 

From:
Logan Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 8 Dec 2022 5:56 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks for the great tips. I've actually contacted a local machine/fab shop and they said they can make them easily for me.

Ron
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Pitman

 

From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
Post  Posted 11 Dec 2022 3:11 am    
Reply with quote

McMaster-Carr.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 12 Dec 2022 12:31 pm    
Reply with quote

I had a loaf of them that came from Crawford's shop a few years after he passed away. They were long and a masking taped bundle of these were what Bobbe Seymour was cutting -- with a table saw -- when he had his accident. I was not there. As awful as it sounds, I only needed a few for future restorations. I imagine the rest stayed in his shop.

When you order the strips, remember that the idea is that the thickness is not off-the-shelf. It should be slightly proud of the mica you are using. So, if you are using horizontal grade mica or vertical grade mica, or Formica or WilsonArt, the thickness required would be different. It looks silly to have trim strips made for horizontal grade mica on a guitar with thin vertical grade Formica or WilsonArt.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 15 Dec 2022 8:12 am    
Reply with quote

They are not chromed generally- they are aluminum that is polished.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 16 Dec 2022 5:30 pm    
Reply with quote

Is the top strip too far gone to tap and file out the dents, wet dry to perhaps 600 the scratches, tape the pieces to a board for support and buff out to smooth and shiny? I use 1x1 maple stock to hold inlay for buffing.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Forrest

 

From:
Logan Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 Dec 2022 6:34 pm    
Reply with quote

Chris,

The original chrome strips are pretty banged up from years of use. I could try to sand them but i don't think i would be able to get it back close to new condition.

Ron
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Ron Forrest

 

From:
Logan Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 Dec 2022 6:38 pm    
Reply with quote

Jim,

A local machine shop thinks they can make them for me at a pretty reasonable price. They will be aluminum and I'll polish them out for the final install on the guitar.

They are also going to to make me a new set of pedals for the Zum also. Since its a 79 they are basically aluminum U channel with some machining to get to look like originals. Cant wait to get this back together!!!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 17 Dec 2022 8:13 pm    
Reply with quote

You might also ask them if they can polish the strips for you as it's a bit of a pain to do well. I put double sided sticky tape on them and tape them to a stiff board but would be happy to have someone else take it on Smile. Sounds great and glad a machinist has taken care of you.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Philip Mitrakos


From:
The Beach South East Florida
Post  Posted 23 Jan 2023 5:55 pm    
Reply with quote

, . .

Last edited by Philip Mitrakos on 31 Jan 2023 1:05 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Johnie King


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 9:44 am    
Reply with quote

My pictures an tips on cutting narrow thin aluminum strips ::: I removed steel players need all there fingers and most of there toes. 😆

Last edited by Johnie King on 24 Jan 2023 7:07 pm; edited 3 times in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Johnie King


From:
Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 9:53 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks

Last edited by Johnie King on 24 Jan 2023 6:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Chris Lucker

 

From:
Los Angeles, California USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2023 10:30 am    
Reply with quote

With all due respect, Bobbe Seymour's cutting my supply of the aluminum strips (all of the JCH leftover supply) on a table saw is what caused Bobbe's accident. Bobbe trusted tape.
_________________
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP