Gold hardware

[zonkola]

I'm noticing a larger than usual number of basses with gold hardware these days...

 

[Geri O]

I’ve always liked gold hardware.

Yeah, it’s high maintenance. Might corrode earlier than usual. I’m smart enough to already know that, thank you.

But gold hardware is not a deal-breaker if I like the bass well enough.

I’ve been kinda disappointed with Music Man, though. I’be tried to buy their gold hardware for my latest SR5, but no go. They wouldn’t even exchange my chrome hardware for gold hardware. Oh, well. And I heard they’ve loosened up their policies on parts. But I haven’t checked in 2-3 years.

 

[bholder]

My body chemistry eats whatever they coat the gold in, then the gold just wears away.

 

[sleddogn]

I've had 2 with gold. Still have the 51 p bass, the aged hardware sits nicely with the color of the bass. The precision was just crazy awesome, but the neck was just to P-wide at the nut for me, not usually a fan of gold, but it does pop at times, lol

 

[elgranluis]

I think it looks great on a well-worn instrument, where there’s not much gold left.

On a new bass ? Maybe Spector or Warwick, but not a FSO.

 

[AM Reflection]

It looks great on darker brown/natural wood finishes. Not usually a fan of it on Fender types or other painted basses.

 

[mikeswals]

I like it, especially as contrast to some solid finishes.
I don't corrode anything, so mine look great even on the 30 year olds.

 

[Lenny JG]

I love it right down to the strings.

 

[Christophe C]

I like it on my status :

 

[Stempelloos]

I'm not fond of gold hardware. On the other hand, if I like the bass it doesn't bother me.
I have a Samick SAKB Fretless 5-string and a Yamaha AEX 500 guitar, both have gold plated hardware and both have worn down places on tuners and knobs. (the AEX 500 more than the fretless)

It's something that doesn't occur with nickel or chrome plated hardware.

On a sidenote, I recently heard that male moslims aren't supposed to wear gold,
only females are allowed to.

 

[JRA]

i've never been crazy about gold hardware for myself (almost always prefer black hardware), but i've seen some axes that looked stunning with gold...including the axes above! last year i modded a fretless for a friend and used gold hardware, it looked sharp!

i voted "conditional" --- i like it on the condition that it's on your ax and not mine!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Gold is always my first choice.

 

[Avezzano]

No, for me. It oxidates and fades much quicker. In addition, if you want to swap one element on your bass (the bridge or the tuners, maybe the knobs) you have much less choice.

 

[two fingers]

Not a fan, generally.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Not a fan either, but when I see it with certain color combos,it looks good. Still not my choice for finish on hardware

 

[rashrader]

it works for me.

 

[Hawk256]

To me it looks great on natural wood finishes. Not so much on solid colors except black.

 

[Tom Bomb]

It works a treat on the Johnny Smith-like jazz box here.
Otherwise, I'll give it a wide birth. Gets dull, after a while
​

 

[BassyBill]

 

[JRA]

Gold is always my first choice.

i've always loved the look of your axes: impressive with the gold!