Author Topic: polished nickel vs polished chrome (Read 9070 times)

gwEm · « **on:** July 11, 2006, 08:51:36 AM »

hi all,

i suppose i really never paid much thought to this before, as i've always had uncovered humbuckers, but now it bothers me.

its quite hard to see the difference in the look between polished chrome and nickel finishes in the shop. can anyone describe the difference when new?

i can imagine the polished nickel covers would eventually get aged with time, and the chrome covers would keep their shine better?

i also imagine a 50s gibson would have been fitted with nickel covers, and a 70s gibson with chrome?

thanks

g

Philly Q · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2006, 11:05:52 AM »

It is quite hard to tell unless you see them side by side, but nickel has a slightly yellowish colour and chrome has what I'd call a blue-white colour (like Daz whiteness!). Chrome definitely looks brighter.

Nickel ages pretty fast and acquires a nice dull "patina" which is very popular with vintage enthusiasts. Chrome keeps its shine but I have seen a few old guitars where the chrome has cracked slightly and started to peel off the hardware, which doesn't seem to happen with nickel.

As you mentioned, 50s Gibsons have nickel-plated hardware, 60s and 70s ones mainly chrome. The new ones use both. Some manufacturers mix-and-match - PRS use chrome tuners but nickel bridges and pickup covers. Personally I'm fussy and like all-chrome or all-nickel!

Incidentally, BKP is one of the very few manufacturers that offers a choice - all of Duncan's and DiMarzio's covered humbuckers are nickel-plated only.

Canadian Steve · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2006, 12:00:17 PM »

Apart from being slightly visually different, would there be any tonal difference between a nickel and chrome covered p'up?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2006, 02:13:02 PM »

I would not have thought so but Eric Johnson would probably say that he could tell the difference. If anyone thinks I am wrong, feel free to correct me.

Tim · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2006, 02:55:14 PM »

Tonally I feel that chrome is a little darker and harder-it's a very small then and quite subjective though.Nickel covers always sound clearer to me, probably because the plate is much thinner.To get a good chrome finish the plate tends to be thicker.

gwEm · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2006, 08:31:33 AM »

thanks philly q ;)

interesting stuff tim...

gingataff · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2006, 05:31:23 PM »

So I guess this also applies to anyone who wants to get a burnt chrome pickup (probably most of us!).
But re the peeling chrome, I woudn't want that to happen, no matter how relic it looks! Does it always happen with chrome or just sometimes?

Tim · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2006, 08:17:44 PM »

I guarantee you won't get peeling chrome with a burnt chrome cover.

Markus · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2006, 08:32:07 PM »

Is it possible to get the BKP etching to burnt chrome cover?