What color do you prefer for hardware?

[VanillaThundah]

Obviously not as many options as body color, but still something to consider when buying/building a bass! I'll be honest and say that the hardware color can make or break a bass deal for me in most cases.

So what's your preference? Feel free to state why or talk about your favorite hardware brands/models in your comments!

[Phalex]

I like chrome. Gold never seems to look good over a period of years.

I would like to find some brass hardware though. I think it would look fabulous as it tarnishes and develops a patina.

[dukeisdog]

I prefer gold, but it really depends on the body style and colour of the bass.

[Basstardus]

I prefer chrome, but satin black looks sooo good on some finish colors...

[Biggbass]

Depends on the finish. I have chrome, black chrome, and gold.

[phillybass101]

IMO over time gold and black start to look funky. Old chrome seems to look better. I'm asking for chrome on my custom build despite the dramatic effect black would have. Plus chrome is Old School.

[Joe Louvar]

Chrome

[elgecko]

Black for modern basses, chrome for classics.

[alembicguy]

Worn

[TRyan5289]

Carrots, for black Chrome.

[bassgod0dmw]

I like black or chrome, I'm not a fan of gold at all.

One of my basses had gold, so I swapped it all to black. I've got one left with gold and I'd swap it to black if I could find the correct bridge for it.

[Geroi Asfalta]

Depends. I have a teal bass that I think would look nasty with chrome or gold. Its got black guard and rosewood board, black hardware just blends in nicely.

I do generally prefer chrome, but sometimes gold is fine....my old Cirrus had gold hardware, went well with the top and stain

[VanillaThundah]

Yes, the gold looks reaaaaal nasty over time. A bass with gold hardware is one i will probably pass on if I can't get it replaced easily.

[Silver Blues]

Chrome's my fav, followed by black. Some straight brass would be kind of neat, though, I agree.

--Silvie

[jeffmensch]

Both my basses have dark chrome hardware or 'Cosmo Black' as Ibanez calls. One is natural wood and the other is a 'antique violin' finish on flamed maple. They both look great but it really depends on the color of your bass. Bright chrome looks awesome on vintage basses and black can be pretty sharp too. Somehow I just can't get into the gold hardware look though.

[elgecko]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

IMO over time gold and black start to look funky. Old chrome seems to look better. I'm asking for chrome on my custom build despite the dramatic effect black would have. Plus chrome is Old School.

I have 20 year old basses with black hardware that still looks great. I do agree with gold hardware getting scuzzy.

[ChloroPhil315]

Originally Posted by TRyan5289

Carrots, for black Chrome.

+1

[bassybill]

Depends on the bass, but I really love gold with the right finish. And good quality gold plating (gold-over-nickel, rather than gold-over-copper) lasts years and years unless really badly treated.

[line6man]

Chrome is far too commonplace, that it has become boring to me.

Gold, on the other hand, is gaudy 95% of the time, so I only like it in rare cases.

Black usually looks good as long as it does not give a cheesy metalhead vibe, so it is my preference.

For the record, I despise Ibanez's "Cosmo Black" hardware. They need to stop using it!

Schaller does a copper Floyd Rose copy that I absolutely love, but I've yet to see it on an instrument.

[jd-ns]

agreed - Ibanez "cosmo black" is not good