Gold hardware, worth it?

Neek · #1 07-09-2010, 09:27 AM

Greetings fellow TBers! I have a couple questing regarding a bass rebuild I am currently working on (my first stab at rebuilding

), hopefully I can find some answers on here.

I am currently repainting/upgrading an old bass guitar that has been sitting untouched for too long, I want to breathe new life into this bass and get it back in decent playing condition. So I decided that if its going to get new electronics and pick-ups to bring the sound back to life, it would only fitting to bring the looks up to par as well! In my head I can picture this bass finished with a glossy black paint and gold hardware for contrast. I decided on gold because all of my other bass guitars have chrome hardware, and I wouldn’t like the look of black hardware matched with black paint. So I priced out all the parts online, made sure all the hardware was the right size/fit, and started to get excited for the finished product I was going to have… But when I shared my ideas with a guitar-playing buddy of mine he told me that gold was not a wise choice for the hardware.

My buddy told me that gold hardware oxidizes very easily, and is very difficult to keep pristine. Is this true? I have never had a problem with my chrome hardware, and a few of my basses have black chrome hardware that has oxidized fairly quickly, but I have zero experience with gold. Is there any way to preserve the gold hardware to prevent oxidation? Is there any way to repair gold hardware that has been oxidized? I would hate to spend my hard-earned cash on hardware that will dull and fade quickly, but I would equally hate having to abandon the whole black/gold contrast altogether.

Any experienced insight or information on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

Rick Auricchio · #2 07-09-2010, 10:38 AM

Brass oxidizes; gold never does. That's one the most important properties of gold: it is the second least reactive metal; platinum is number one.

But the cost of gold usually means very thin plating, which can wear off.

Most instruments go with chrome plating. Nickel will dull with time.

FunkMetalBass · #3 07-09-2010, 11:53 AM

The "gold" color isn't really gold. And yes, it will fade to chrome very quickly. However, I believe Hipshot offers a satin gold option, which is a thin paint that is baked on, and that fades much much slower than your typical gold hardware.

bassteban · #4 07-09-2010, 11:57 AM

I've not seen a huge difference in gold(colored/tone as opposed to genuine gold)& chrome in durability and/or fading/oxidation. Cost diff IME is also negligible.

62bass · #5 07-09-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neek

Greetings fellow TBers! I have a couple questing regarding a bass rebuild I am currently working on (my first stab at rebuilding

), hopefully I can find some answers on here.

I am currently repainting/upgrading an old bass guitar that has been sitting untouched for too long, I want to breathe new life into this bass and get it back in decent playing condition. So I decided that if its going to get new electronics and pick-ups to bring the sound back to life, it would only fitting to bring the looks up to par as well! In my head I can picture this bass finished with a glossy black paint and gold hardware for contrast. I decided on gold because all of my other bass guitars have chrome hardware, and I wouldn’t like the look of black hardware matched with black paint. So I priced out all the parts online, made sure all the hardware was the right size/fit, and started to get excited for the finished product I was going to have… But when I shared my ideas with a guitar-playing buddy of mine he told me that gold was not a wise choice for the hardware.

My buddy told me that gold hardware oxidizes very easily, and is very difficult to keep pristine. Is this true? I have never had a problem with my chrome hardware, and a few of my basses have black chrome hardware that has oxidized fairly quickly, but I have zero experience with gold. Is there any way to preserve the gold hardware to prevent oxidation? Is there any way to repair gold hardware that has been oxidized? I would hate to spend my hard-earned cash on hardware that will dull and fade quickly, but I would equally hate having to abandon the whole black/gold contrast altogether.

Any experienced insight or information on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

I've had gold hardware on a couple of basses and never had problems with it oxidizing or wearing off. But I'm not very hard on my instruments and I don't use abrasive cleaners on hardware.

There is a difference in quality between some manufacturers.

I'd say go for what looks good to you.

rojo412 · #6 07-11-2010, 01:08 PM

If you have sweaty hands and tune your bass a lot, it will oxidize bad...
If you clean it off regularly, the color fades. It also fades where it gets touched the most...

I won't ever use it if given the option, but my current bass has it and I'm fine with that. I don't mind the fade so much, as the sound is what I care about, but if you want a bass that always looks new, gold hardware is usually the weak link for newness.

However, it's beauty is undeniable on certain instruments.

**nervous** · #7 07-11-2010, 08:58 PM

I agree that as a general rule gold hardware is not as durable where chrome is the real workhorse. It also seems to enjoy a shorter life cycle of favorable public opinion. Kinda like gold faucets in the lavatory, it's just not for everyone. It will probably reduce your potential customer pool should you try to sell at some point as well though. But, in the end, if YOU like the look then go for it.

bassbenj · #8 07-13-2010, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nervous

I agree that as a general rule gold hardware is not as durable where chrome is the real workhorse. It also seems to enjoy a shorter life cycle of favorable public opinion. Kinda like gold faucets in the lavatory, it's just not for everyone. It will probably reduce your potential customer pool should you try to sell at some point as well though. But, in the end, if YOU like the look then go for it.

I've put gold (colored) hardware on a number of basses and it indeed is not quite as durable as chrome. It is about as durable as black (chrome) which is slightly less than silver colored chrome. Satin chrome in my experience is by FAR the best long term looking and wearing hardware.

But it's about LOOKS so sometimes you just have to bit the bullet and go with black or gold. Looks just like a million on the right color bass! The main oxidation is with the tuners. The key to a long life is to get one of those gun and fishing reel silcone cloths. And right before you put your bass to bed after playing it, wipe down the tuning keys to remove all finger prints, the acid and oil your fingers deposited there and to leave a protective coat of silicone on the plating. Works pretty well. But still over the years don't be surprised if a new set of tuners is needed to restore pristine looks.

And by the way, I also use the silcone cloth on the entire bass, but be aware that if you ever decide to refinish it, the silcone will play havoc with getting paint or varnish to stick and is one BEAR to sand off the instrument!

Neek · #9 07-13-2010, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the input fellas, this is good stuff. I'm going to go with the gold hardware, I just wouldn't be happy settling for anything other than what I picture in my head... I just have to make a conscious effort to be as careful and gentle as possible when it comes to touching/cleaning the hardware.

I was also thinking, maybe it would be possible to use some sort of clear spray-on sealant over the hardware to give it an extra layer of protection? I have no idea if this would work, just a thought I'm throwing out there.

Philbiker · #10 07-13-2010, 10:00 AM

Gold hardware pits and fades and looks gaudy. I despise it. I recommend against it.

chokeslam512 · #11 07-13-2010, 10:09 AM

What type of bass and what color scheme are you going with?

Neek · #12 07-13-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chokeslam512

What type of bass and what color scheme are you going with?

It's an old 4-string Ibanez GSR. It came from Ibanez with a transparent red finish and chrome hardware. After floating around the closet for a couple years (I didn't take very good care of it, I'm ashamed to admit

) it gathered a couple dings and scratches. Luckily there doesn't seem to be much damage to the wood, the clear coat and paint took most of the beating, some light sanding fixed it up real nice.

Now I'm ready to bring it back to life with a jet-black paint job (I'm looking for a high-gloss finish) and gold hardware to contrast with the black. I really want this bass to shine when it catches the light, and I feel like black and gold will compliment each other nicely. I'm still debating whether I should bolt the old neck back on, or invest some money in a neck with a maple fretboard (I've never owned a maple fretboard, but I love their looks).

**bassybill** · #13 07-13-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Gold hardware pits and fades and looks gaudy. I despise it. I recommend against it.

Hey. I loves me a gaudy looking bass! I have gold J-Retro, BA-II and Schallers on this bass. All three seem to have high quality plating and are still looking like new after 5 years.

stingray56funk · #14 07-13-2010, 01:47 PM

Ooooh...I love some gold hardware! Slap me some gold hardware on a white or black bass and we are talking about a sex machine! Yummy! I say put some gold on it!

TMart99 · #15 02-11-2012, 07:08 AM

How do you guys clean your gold hardware?

Just a dry flannel/cotton cloth?

Or do use some kind of metal cleaner?

Do you think a gold/jewelry cleaner would work on gold hardware?