I'm thinking about putting black hardware on a bass with a natural ash body. I've heard that black hardware can be esily worn. If this is true, I'll rethink about it. What's your experience with black hardware?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Black Hardware Worn Easily?
- Thread starter Chrisk-K
- Start date
Depends how you play it. I've seen black finish worn off of some basses...
Me, since I kind of baby my instruments, the black hardware has always been fine.
I think this is a bit like the Gold hardware thing - the older gear that was really popular back in the '70s/'80s did not hold up well -- but modern hardware seems to last longer. New plating tech/coatings to protect - I don't entirely know... but new gold hw seems to hold up better and, for that matter, LOOK better.
But unless you thrash your axe, black is fine. Heck, if you thrash your axe, chrome will get nasty too!
Me, since I kind of baby my instruments, the black hardware has always been fine.
I think this is a bit like the Gold hardware thing - the older gear that was really popular back in the '70s/'80s did not hold up well -- but modern hardware seems to last longer. New plating tech/coatings to protect - I don't entirely know... but new gold hw seems to hold up better and, for that matter, LOOK better.
But unless you thrash your axe, black is fine. Heck, if you thrash your axe, chrome will get nasty too!
My first decent bass was an Ibanez that I bought brand new in 1990. It had black hardware. I, of course, babied it but the blackhard ware turned ugly less than a year. That's why I'm a little bit worried.
I need to decide whether to go with chrome or black for my soon-to-be-ordered Carvin SB4000!
I need to decide whether to go with chrome or black for my soon-to-be-ordered Carvin SB4000!
A black badass II bridge will wear out.. maybe it depends on which item? I mean, black anodized aluminum shouldn't wear right?
Definitely depends on the quality of the coating. My 15 year old USA Peavey has black hardware that still looks perfect after a decade and a half of being my go-to bass.
I bought an LTD once on clearance that the hardware had grayed before it ever left the store.
I do prefer chrome for longevity reasons.
I bought an LTD once on clearance that the hardware had grayed before it ever left the store.
I do prefer chrome for longevity reasons.
The simple answer is - it depends on what the black coating is and how well it is applied. Paint is the easiest to wear usually. Powdercoat is more durable than paint but can still chip. Plating and annodizing can last a long time, but they're still affecting just the top layer of the hardware.
Black is high-contrast with the natural color of the base metal below it so while something in black nickel or black anno will wear just like any other color as soon as there is wear or damage you'll see it more readily.
Black is high-contrast with the natural color of the base metal below it so while something in black nickel or black anno will wear just like any other color as soon as there is wear or damage you'll see it more readily.
My first bass has black hardware. I've had it since 1986 and there is a little wear on the bridge the brass is starting to show but that is it. It has held up well. It is an early 80's Schecter when they were still USA made and I believe mostly a parts distributor? It was a pawn shop find when I was 16. But it is well made and the hardware looks as good now as it did then.
My guess would be there is variation in the quality of hardware finishes from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you buy really cheep black hardware there is a good chance it will wear off. I have no clue who makes the good stuff.
The black hardware on my Carvin LB75 has held up pretty well. I got the bass in 1992. there are some spots on the tuners where the finish has chipped, and there is some wearing of the finish on the bridge, but it still looks pretty good, and I wouldnt say I babied it.
Also factor in your body chemistry. I know guys that wear the plating/coating off of just about every finish under the sun. As for me, I could play 100 years and not wear through anything.
I know my sweat is not as acid as, say, Rory Gallagher's. The lettering of my 5 year PC keyboard looks like new. My wife needs to replace her keyboard once a year because the lettering gets erased due to her body chemistry.
The Ibanez SR lineup is notorious for wearing through the black finish.
Do not use any cleaners on it at all. Just wipe and wax if you want - but don't use any wax with a cleaner built into it.
Do not use any cleaners on it at all. Just wipe and wax if you want - but don't use any wax with a cleaner built into it.
I've had black Schaller bridges, Schaller and Gotoh tuners, and mystery knobs for 20 years...they're still black.
Depends on the quality of the bridge, for example- i have a Japanese made Omni Adjust bridge on my SR800 from 1988 that has had no wear in all the years of playing. Yes i have taken care of it, not cleaning it with anything but low intensity citrus spray but i know of others that are in the same situation 25 years down the track...the cheaper indonesian bridges may be the ones you've seen deteriorate over time.
