Gold vs Silver. Ignoring the values of the actual metals, which color do you prefer for hardware?
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Gold vs Silver. Ignoring the values of the actual metals, which color do you prefer for hardware?
Gold, absolutely gold, tuners and tail piece, bridge adjustment screws and gold strap buttons, gold tone frets. I only have one mandolin like this but two electric guitars. Looks great with phosphor bronze strings and sunburst finish. Gold is always a solid investment and looks great matched with ebony Hard to keep clean and shiny though, tarnish is a constant problem but a little TLC and it's a stunner. I do not believe any actual gold is involved in making gold instrument hardware but it looks gold.
I've always preferred nickel.
Did you vote?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hudmister
It’s like asking an Englishman whether he would like tea or coffee. It depends how I feel at the time I’m asked; so I won’t be voting.
When younger was allergic to gold. Specifically the nickel content. Made it an easy choice early on to not go for gold plating on instruments.
!Quote:
Originally Posted by ivancook
Gold tuners, Gold frets, Gold tailpiece
I love the patina of the worn gold look on my J-45.
I prefer everything to look aged.
It matches me better....
I was more a fan of Nickel Chrome (silver) at the outset of my interest in mandolin, but when I commissioned my Silverangel, I asked for Gold on a whim and really haven't looked back. I just think it looks snazzy!
Silver tuning pegs and a gold tailpiece. That's what came on my Randy Wood F 5 so if it's good for Randy it's good for me.
For me, it depends on the wood and the finish. I have several instruments in honey/amber color, and gold looks best with them. 1920s F4 looks great with the tarnished silver-ish hardware.
Don't get me started on button color.
Yeah, for me it depends on the finish of the instrument too - I like gold hardware on natural/blonde and sunburst finishes and like nickel hardware on black top or sheraton brown finishes.
Gold, silver, nickel, chrome, anodising, paint...I really don't care what an instrument looks like - the question for me is usually 'can I get more sound by buying plain looks?' The answer is often Yes provided you can't afford top line, which is certainly the case with me :)
Gold vs Silver? Probably what I pay the least amount of attention to when looking at mandolins...
YMMV.
Kirk
Attachment 191949
Nothing Better Than Gold
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill McAuley
I 100% agree.
Same as above. It really depends on the finish of the instrument. I'm typically one for silver, but for a lovely mando with rich brown and orange/yellow tones, I prefer gold.
What Jill said. Depends on the wood, the finish, and the inlay.
I agree that a mandolin is a whole package, and many times nickel works visually better than gold. However, as somebody with a serious nickel allergy (looks like a bad case of poison ivy), I prefer gold-plated tailpieces. Even wearing long sleeves, I can get a major rash that weeps on my forearm.
Silver can go better with some wood colors than gold and vice versa. Generally tho, gold seems less flashy than silver.
Depends on the instrument finish. I've had both. You need an option for either or both.
Jamie
Gold, gotta love the bling.
Silver tarnishes Gold does not, both are soft and being precious metals, the plating thickness is just a couple microns..
So Brass is as good as needed for yellow .
Nickel is good enough for Gibson, It's good enough for Me.
I have mandolins with hardware in both Ag & Au .. :popcorn:
Almost 50/50!
43% gold, 57% silver.