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Why is "Gold" stuff more expensive?


Grangur
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If you want someone to blame for this thread it's Discreet's fault. :D

He's just put a Hipshot KickAss bridge on his bass and lovin' it. All good.

I went to see what they cost:
http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Hipshot_Vintage_bridges.html

And at the bottom you'll see they're about £60, unless you want a "Gold" one.

Don't get me wrong. I'm just being nosey. I don't actually want a bridge or anything like that. Least of all; gold.

But let's face it, there is no gold on a gold bridge. Just as there's no silver on a chrome one. So why the lift in price? I guess the makers sell fewer and so it's more expensive for that reason?

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How could they claim it was gold if the price was less than a chromed piece? I think it's a subliminal trick because no grown-up would believe it consciously but folk deceive themselves if they want something they think makes them "better" somehow.

OT; I wanted a draining rack for the kitchen sink last year and was appalled by the tat that was available. I was surprised to see Homebase trying to pass off one of theirs as stainless steel when it was clearly chrome plated mild steel. I ask you...!

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[quote name='dood' timestamp='1487955082' post='3244580']
White hardware. Why doesn't anyone make White hardware. I expect it will be expensive, but it's the only obvious colour that I think is missing.
[/quote]

Why not try for a crowd funded start-up and go for it? I've been busting to use the word niche in a conversation as it is one of the current buzz words and that idea is well niche man! Thanks for the opening. Heeheehee


By the way, you raise a good point there. I remember seeing a Honda 400/4 resto with white header pipes. With a colour matched paint scheme it was something special. I doubt it would look too good after a blast on salty Winter roads though.

Edited by SpondonBassed
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[quote name='dood' timestamp='1487955082' post='3244580']
White hardware. Why doesn't anyone make White hardware. I expect it will be expensive, but it's the only obvious colour that I think is missing.
[/quote]

Limited numbers... but it's easy enough to do. Blast the coating off existing hardware and powder coat. Hipshot would probably send you a bridge uncoated cos they seem awfully nice chaps.

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[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1487956567' post='3244606']


Limited numbers... but it's easy enough to do. Blast the coating off existing hardware and powder coat. Hipshot would probably send you a bridge uncoated cos they seem awfully nice chaps.
[/quote]

Someone wanted one the other day and I suggested that but afterwards I replied thinking actually powder coat might be too thick, it's not great on anything detailed like saddles, Also it's quite soft so saddle screws would sink into it even if you just did the main part?

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[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1487956206' post='3244598']
Why not try for a crowd funded start-up and go for it? I've been busting to use the word niche in a conversation as it is one of the current buzz words and that idea is well niche man! Thanks for the opening. Heeheehee


By the way, you raise a good point there. I remember seeing a Honda 400/4 resto with white header pipes. With a colour matched paint scheme it was something special. I doubt it would look too good after a blast on salty Winter roads though.
[/quote]
[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1487956567' post='3244606']
Limited numbers... but it's easy enough to do. Blast the coating off existing hardware and powder coat. Hipshot would probably send you a bridge uncoated cos they seem awfully nice chaps.
[/quote]
[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1487957329' post='3244618']
Someone wanted one the other day and I suggested that but afterwards I replied thinking actually powder coat might be too thick, it's not great on anything detailed like saddles, Also it's quite soft so saddle screws would sink into it even if you just did the main part?
[/quote]

NIche! :) He he! Ace, glad I can help!

I guess in the part areas that are problematic, you could have chrome or black saddles on a white base plate? A bit like those Wilkinson bridges that come in black or chrome but have brass saddles. Must be a way to do it... Hmmmm

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[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/282226770420?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=41285909471&rlsatarget=pla-278687363403&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=9046429&device=c&campaignid=738225731&crdt=0"]http://www.ebay.co.u...38225731&crdt=0[/url]

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zinc-Nickel-Plating-Kit-Electroplating-Bright-for-Car-and-Bike-restoration-/282011973400?hash=item41a9393718:g:pLoAAOSwgQ9Vit~f"]http://www.ebay.co.u...LoAAOSwgQ9Vit~f[/url]


Annoyingly no white option :(

Edited by stingrayPete1977
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[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1487964302' post='3244703']
You can electroplate stuff at home using donuts of donor metals, a battery charger, buckets and solutions, I have always fancied having a go but it looks a bit of a faff tbh. It does however end up with an anodized finish much more suitable for a bass bridge. Powder coat is a bit clunky all told.
[/quote]
Being lucky enough to run my own lab at work I have played about with various plating and anodising options. I have had some really good results, and some rubbish ones. Getting reliable results time after time seems closer to alchemy than chemistry. I have plated car and motorbike parts myself but don't think I would want to try a £100 bridge.

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[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1487969862' post='3244767']
What about white enamel then? Like ye olde style kitchen bowls, enamel (which is glass) on metal.
[/quote]

I like that. For the real vintage look, how about ye even older blue and white enamel?

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It's all coming together nicely. May I suggest that that to compliment the bass with white hardware the owner might consider a white suit and hat like Larry Graham...? Some of his basses were all white but with - OT - gold coloured hardware. I think a bass in metalflake gold with white hardware would have a similar impact visually speaking.

Edited by SpondonBassed
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[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1487986992' post='3244905']
I like that. For the real vintage look, how about ye even older blue and white enamel?
[/quote]

Yeah man!

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/301169-an-impossible-dream/

Edited by SpondonBassed
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