Hardware color choice

[AndyG]

I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but I figured I would canvas opinions here ...

The project:
Deluxe 5 jazz bass, swamp ash body, dyed a dark blue
Deluxe 5 neck, maple with ebony fingerboard, headstock also dyed dark blue

The question:
What color hardware would you use?  Chrome, black, or gold?
I'm about 80% certain which color I want, but am interested in hearing opinions.

 

[spauldingrules]

With chrome it's easier to change stuff/switch stuff around later.  Plus it's always cheaper.

 

[Superlizard]

Sometimes Nickel is an option as well.

 

[rockskate4x]

Chrome is the cheapest and it looks good with everything. Black is a little pricier and it looks super sharp. Gold is the most expensive and the most corrosive, and does not work with EVERY color to begin with, so it isn't as versatile or as practical as either black or chrome.

Chrome is my go-to hardware choice, but my white metal mofo axe with emg's or duncan blackouts can't have anything but black hardware on it.

 

[ORCRiST]

Ruthenium!  :headbang1:

:icon_biggrin:

ORC

 

[AutoBat]

never go gold.

 

[B3Guy]

gold would be hideous. I say black, because from what I've seen, it almost never fails to make things look real sharp and classy. Chrome is run-of-the-mill, and as stated has lots of advantages. Chrome looks pretty good too.

 

[Ace Flibble]

Depends on the shade of blue. A really deep royal blue can look great with gold, especially if you're going to have an ebony fretboard and if you get a small black burst over. Gold works best with white or dark and strong colours. You don't stick gold hardware on a surf green Jazzmaster.

If it's a mid-blue or if it's a less saturated dark blue and without a burst over then I'd go for black. If it's a mid blue of any kind then I'd say chrome.

 

[AndyG]

Ruthenium!  :headbang1:

:icon_biggrin:

ORC

I was actually thinking that Unobtanium might look nice, its just so hard to find!  :glasses9:

The dye is a very dark, royal blue, with the swamp ash grain just showing through.  The clear coat so far has been a real pain in the a$$, though.

Thanx for the input so far, my 80% sureness hasn't changed yet, but all the opinions have been welcome!

 

[elfro89]

never go gold.

I LOVE gold, it can look proper badass when used right.

 

[-CB-]

nickel

 

[AndyG]

nickel

I LOVE the look of brushed nickel ... but unfortunately the Takeuchi bridge isn't available in that color ....
unless someone has a source they can point me to .... back alley ..... anything!

 

[DangerousR6]

I'd say nickel or chrome, as most others have said, the finish on gold parts will turn to crap in a heartbeat. No matter how good the quality of the parts, if I were to ever go gold hardware on anything any more, I'd go brass. You can at least polish it back out. But black is always cool, depends on the woods...

 

[Strat Avenger]

Gold looks best on a See-thru black figured maple top, or a dark see-thru wine red. I had a guitar with gold hardware for years, and it NEVER "turned to crap". I don't know what these people are talking about.

But I would not go with gold on a blue finish.

I like black for some guitars, and chrome for others ('depends on the guitar). In your case, my vote is for black...

 

[Disco Scottie]

For me, black looks more aggressive, gold looks more elegant, chrome looks... like chrome. If it was my build I'd probably go with black, but you could make a good argument for any of them.

 

[Doughboy]

never go gold.

This used to be my motto until I got my Koa guitar. Gold seemed to go best with the colors.

Hardware choice really depends on the colors of your guitar & your own taste.




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[AndyG]

Well it seems the decision has been made for me.

As it turns out (and this is a warning to anyone wanting to build a Deluxe 5), it seems that Warmoth`s stock of the Takeuchi bridges is running dry.  I was told by Spike at Warmoth that apparently the owner passed away last year, and no one else in the family wants to keep the business going.

As a result, the hardware on my bass will be gold, as that is all that is left.

I was originally considering gold hardware for this bass, as I had a Warwick 4 string with gold hardware that looked really classy, but then started leaning towards black.  I guess the fates decided that my first instinct was to be the final choice.