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Mixed hardware

Laits

Laits

Aug 14, 2006
56
62
49
Appleton, WI
#1
So I was looking to upgrade my Highway One bass with a higher quality tuner. Not that it doesnt stay in tune (I tune up every day before practicing), but wanted something maybe a little smoother. I looked into a few options and they either don't cover the old tuner space (looks like the UV imprinted the old tuner footprint) or they are not available in chrome finish (eg, hipshot HB7). So is there any good options for a chrome fender MIM/HWY one tuner replacement? Are nickel tuners and chrome body hardware the norm?
 
#3
I just put some nickel Hipshot Ultralites on a bass with chrome hardware. They're far enough apart on the bass that you don't really notice they're a slightly different color. The HB7s are direct replacements for the MIM tuners.
 
#4
Nickel has a blue cast to it, chrome has a yellow cast to it, but it's only really noticeable if you put a couple of pieces side by side, and even then the light needs to be pretty good to catch it. I wouldn't worry over much about it if you want the HB7's.

That said, you can get several bridges in nickel plate, the most common being a Fender Pure Vintage unit which features a nickel plated bent plate. Nickel plated control plates for jazz basses are also available as are neck plates, so if your OCD can't abide mixing, it is possible to convert the major pieces. I've never seen any but I'm sure it's because I've never looked for them but I can't help but believe nickel strap buttons and screws are also available.
 
#6
Jeff Scott said:
I've always noted nickel as being warmer looking than chrome. Not sure regarding strings, but every other type of hardware I know of is that way.
Click to expand...
Given the difference in how they reflect light, what we get back from nickel is not as harsh so warmer would seem an apt description.

Coming from the motorcycle world, I've pretty much always prefered nickel plate for no other reason than "triple chrome plating" is akin to the three tone burst and flats in the bass world. Back in the day folks would go so over the top with chrome when they built a chop or did a serious refinish, sometimes sacrificing actual important things in order to afford enough chrome to qualify for what my gramps would call suspender snapper status. In fairness chrome is much harder than nickel so it is more scratch resistant and durable, but with the more muted colors i prefer, a warmer reflection from my shiny bits is just what the doctor ordered.
 

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