View Poll Results: Gold vs Silver

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  • Gold

    18 41.86%
  • Silver

    25 58.14%
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Thread: Poll - Gold vs Silver

  1. #1
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    Default Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Gold vs Silver. Ignoring the values of the actual metals, which color do you prefer for hardware?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.

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  4. #3
    Registered User Mandobart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    I've always preferred nickel.

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Quote Originally Posted by Hudmister View Post
    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.
    Did you vote?

  7. #5
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.

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  9. #6
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.
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  11. #7
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Quote Originally Posted by ivancook View Post
    Gold vs Silver. Ignoring the values of the actual metals, which color do you prefer for hardware?
    !
    Gold tuners, Gold frets, Gold tailpiece

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  13. #8
    Registered User Murphy Slaw's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    I love the patina of the worn gold look on my J-45.

    I prefer everything to look aged.

    It matches me better....
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  15. #9
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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!
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  17. #10
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.

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  19. #11
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.

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  21. #12
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.
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  23. #13
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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
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  25. #14
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Gold vs Silver? Probably what I pay the least amount of attention to when looking at mandolins...

    YMMV.

    Kirk

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  27. #15
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

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    Nothing Better Than Gold

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  29. #16
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    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.

    I 100% agree.
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  31. #17
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.
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  33. #18
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    What Jill said. Depends on the wood, the finish, and the inlay.

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  35. #19
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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.

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  37. #20
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Silver can go better with some wood colors than gold and vice versa. Generally tho, gold seems less flashy than silver.

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  39. #21
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Depends on the instrument finish. I've had both. You need an option for either or both.

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  41. #22
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Gold, gotta love the bling.
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  43. #23
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    Question Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    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 ..
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  45. #24
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    Almost 50/50!

  46. #25
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    Default Re: Poll - Gold vs Silver

    43% gold, 57% silver.

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