Nickel vs. Chrome...

[Okieactor]

So, I just realized a stupid mistake I've made. I think I've been buying hardware a little bit at a time, and maybe 2/3 has been nickel, the other 1/3 chrome. Do people pay attention to that stuff?

My bridge plate is chrome. Kluson style locking tuners are nickel, as are the adapter bushings, I believe, and the string trees. Ferrules nickel. Barrel style saddles are brass. Control plate is chrome. Haven't bought a jack cup yet.

So, basically, do people notice stuff like that? Obviously if they do, I'm not one of them, because if you asked me to name what any guitar had on it from memory I couldn't tell you. I mean, maybe I would remember gold vs. chrome, but otherwise, no. But if it's mixed between chrome and nickel on the same guitar, will people notice?

Probably an opinion thing, but tell me yours if you want.

[Twang King]

nickel ages better/differently than chrome

[BritishBluesBoy]

I wouldn't worry about it... They'll all look fine together.

[Dirty Steve]

Other people likely won't notice. But if it was my guitar, I would and I'm sure you too can see the difference in colour. And, as Twang King noted, nickel will age differently than chrome.

[gmann]

I prefer nickel because of the patina it gets when it ages. Chrome only looks good on Harley Davidsons and bathroom fixtures!

[BritishBluesBoy]

Originally Posted by gmann

I prefer nickel because of the patina it gets when it ages. Chrome only looks good on Harley Davidsons and bathroom fixtures!

Original 1953 Telecaster:

Chrome hardware:


And as far a I am aware it would have had nickel plated Kluson tuners too...

[Colt W. Knight]

Not a big deal. jJust something for guitar nerds to fuss about.

[paulskirocks]

If you care what others think, that's one thing, and I would say nickle is much nicer to me, although opinions don't matter, as long as you like it... unless you are trying to sell it... :)

[gmann]

Originally Posted by BritishBluesBoy

Original 1953 Telecaster:

Chrome hardware:


And as far a I am aware it would have had nickel plated Kluson tuners too...

Beautiful lookin' guitar! I would go with whatever is vintage correct as the chrome hardware on my '56 Esquire is. It's just that I like the way aged nickel looks.

[KevinB]

Nickel has a just a slightly warmer shade to it, but the originals were a mix.

I have also never seen some Tele hardware - like bridge plates, control plates, knobs, etc. - offered in nickel, so really I wouldn't worry about it.

[woodman]

the chances of anybody besides a guitar player noticing are extremely slight!

[Bluej58]

Originally Posted by KevinB

Nickel has a just a slightly warmer shade to it, but the originals were a mix.

I have also never seen some Tele hardware - like bridge plates, control plates, knobs, etc. - offered in nickel, so really I wouldn't worry about it.

Callaham has some nice stuff in nickel and in stainless steel which they claim looks like nickel.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partstel.htm

[Okieactor]

KevinB--

That's exactly the pieces that I had bought in chrome. Bridge plate, knobs, control plate. So I guess everything else I've gone with nickel. It's okay I think. I can always change any of it later if I decide to.

[PCR985]

If you're that particular about your guitar that you would notice, then chances are that you take care of your equipment.

If you keep the nickel and chrome cleaned and polished over the years, you will not notice the difference. If you let it go, then the nickel will age a little different. But a good cleaning and polish will make it look the same again.

Besides, the nickel parts and chrome parts are different parts. Your eyes and brain won't process the difference in shiny silver shade of two different parts. It's not like 2 out of the 6 tuners are nickel vs chrome.

I think it'll be fine.