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Brass/ Gold-looking Tuners, Bridge and knobs?

UNCKLE-TICKLE

UNCKLE-TICKLE

Feb 4, 2010
74
27
53
Philadelphia
#1
Hey all,

So, I've been toying with the idea of installing Brass (gold look) hardware (tuners, bridge, knobs, etc.) on my off-white Jazz Bass. I'm not looking for it to be gaudy; more of a warm classic vibe. I also plan on implementing a 3-ply pick guard into the mix but I'm not settled on how I want that to look yet.

I would be very happy if a patina developed on the hardware but I don't want the (probable) plating to wear away and look like crap.

I completely understand that this look isn't for everyone but if anyone here has experience with brass/gold look hardware, things to look out for/avoid or any other opinions related to the longevity of gold hardware, I'd be very grateful for the help/heads-up.

Thanks!
 
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#3
UNCKLE-TICKLE said:
Hey all,

So, I've been toying with the idea of installing gold hardware (tuners, bridge, knobs, etc.) on my off-white Jazz Bass. I'm not looking for it to be gaudy; more of a warm classic vibe. I also plan on implementing a 3-ply pick guard into the mix but I'm not settled on how I want that to look yet.

I would be very happy if a patina developed on the hardware but I don't want the (probable) plating to wear away and look like crap.

I completely understand that this look isn't for everyone but if anyone here has experience with gold hardware, things to look out for/avoid or any other opinions related to the longevity of gold hardware, I'd be very grateful for the help/heads-up.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
You won't ever get a patina on gold. Other metals oxidize, Gold doesn't. Off white IMO would look good w/a vintage pearl or white pearl pickguard. I think gold hardware is going to be disappointing in a few years when the plating starts to wear off.
[RANT] When are manufacturers going to wise up and start offering hardware in brass like faucet makers do? [/RANT]
 
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#7
sissy kathy said:
You won't ever get a patina on gold. Other metals oxidize, Gold doesn't. Off white IMO would look good w/a vintage pearl or white pearl pickguard. I think gold hardware is going to be disappointing in a few years when the plating starts to wear off.
[RANT] When are manufacturers going to wise up and start offering hardware in brass like faucet makers do? [/RANT]
Click to expand...

I totally misworded what I meant. I meant gold and mistakenly said gold. I just wanted a gold/ brass patina look.
Hah, I agree with the pearloid pick guard (see attached photo) though, I wish I'd gone with a more yellowed vintage look.

I'm willing to take my chances as far as me still liking it in the years to come. My late Uncle (my idle) got me into playing and had an old P Bass that had brass tuners. That always stuck with me and I've been looking at other basses with brass hardware for close to a decade now. I'm confident that I'll stay happy.

Seems it's money over all when it comes to manufacturers and cutting corners are the name of the game.


jb.jpg
 
#9
UNCKLE-TICKLE said:
I totally misworded what I meant. I meant gold and mistakenly said gold. I just wanted a gold/ brass patina look.
Hah, I agree with the pearloid pick guard (see attached photo) though, I wish I'd gone with a more yellowed vintage look.

I'm willing to take my chances as far as me still liking it in the years to come. My late Uncle (my idle) got me into playing and had an old P Bass that had brass tuners. That always stuck with me and I've been looking at other basses with brass hardware for close to a decade now. I'm confident that I'll stay happy.

Seems it's money over all when it comes to manufacturers and cutting corners are the name of the game.


View attachment 3341504
Click to expand...
If I knew where to get brass hardware,[lollipop keys] I'd have a SS Mooncaster build going on right now.
 
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#11
yeah, all brass unplated hardware is gonna be hard to get. brass nuts are around, but everything else (quite frankly) no one wants it due to the corrosion. some volume manufactures don't want to sell product that turns brown, black, or green and tends to smell.

you could experiment with stripping the plating or coatings off of pieces that are known to be made of brass? i think this would likely involve strong acids.
 
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#15
Watchootognbout said:
Hipshot makes gold plated tuners and gold plated brass bridges.

View attachment 3346726


I tend to favor these gold and abolone knobs.
(This bridge is not Hipshot.It is stock)
View attachment 3346725
Click to expand...


Nice bass!! Yea, I'm probably going with Hipshot for tuning machines. I'm very happy with the ones I got for my P-bass.
I had an Urge II Stu Hamm with abalone marker dots embedded in the fret board and I liked the look a lot. I may try to loosely match the pick guard with a set of abalone capped knobs...I'm still figuring this all out :D



IMG_0224.jpg
 

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