Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all. I'm working on a Tele style project and was checking out different hardware options. I was leaning towards the bridge, control cover plate, tuners to have a black finish. My question is, other than the noted gloss or satin finishes by manufacturers, has anyone noticed much of a difference in finishes. In other words, I don't want the black finish of the control plate from on manufacturer looking different from the black Gotoh bridge. Thanks.

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Kyle

One choice would be for you to have the hardware powder coated. Powder coating is an electrostatically applied finish that is then baked. It is much more durable than paint. Remove all the springs and screws and stuff from your bridge - the person doing the coating will want to tumble it to remove old finish and clean the surface.

Otherwise I would expect variation between manufactures in their "black chrome", just as there are variations in gold hardware. Heck, there are even big differences in the cream plastic commonly used on guitars - look at any Les Paul.