Yep. I have to wonder if it might have something to do with a plating/lacquering issue on some of the newer ones. I have two modern 5x14's, one smooth, one hammered. You can see a sort of ghosting issue around one of the Imperial lugs on the smooth shell, and I notice a similar issue around the rubber tube lug gaskets on the hammered. Very subtle in person, but it's there. I suspect it's a reaction to the rubber gaskets. It reminds me of the reaction my Sonor SQ1 Cruiser Blue finish had because of the rubber gaskets on the mounts.
If there was/is a bunch of them being sent back under warranty because of this (pure speculation on my part), it might make sense to pull the plug. OR, apply black nickel to the remaining stock and sell them as Bronze Beautys. Just a thought.
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