Gotoh trem GE1996T quality question. Is this normal?

[Dumple Stilzkin]

Gold version for comparison, there’s some on mine but nothing like yours.

Before anyone asks, I did not put gold hardware on this. It came to me like this and I just don’t have replacement hardware yet, same for the stupid white Strat knobs.

 

[MASS DEFECT]

Gold version for comparison, there’s some on mine but nothing like yours. View attachment 146675View attachment 146676
Before anyone asks, I did not put gold hardware on this. It came to me like this and I just don’t have replacement hardware yet, same for the stupid white Strat knobs.

I'm ok with some kind of pitting. I understand that sometimes, it can't be helped on areas where the metal bends like yours. Mine has very deep pitting and it is very rough.

 

[Nightside]

Yeah this is giving me the willies because I've been thinking about getting a black GE1996T-33-B and I don't want to pay good money and wind up with some half assed bullshit like this and hassle with sending them back and forth until I get a cleaner looking one.

 

[Seabeast2000]

Are these worst cases finish issues or casting issues? Like the metal didn't pour right or the mold had material in it.

 

[Nightside]

Are these worst cases finish issues or casting issues? Like the metal didn't pour right or the mold had material in it.

These aren't cast in a mold. It's a steel plate that's stamped out and then bent.

 

[Nightside]

 

[Drew]

Was my first thought actually. Upon further inspection, mine was a return sold as new. The bag for the screws was opened among other signs.

Even then, I'll stress I wouldn't be overly worried about the cosmetics, especially on the inside edges of the holes for the locking bolts like that. I'd instead be concerned that the plate might not be authentic, and it was a cheap and cheaply made knock-off that wouldn't wear nearly as well.