Grangur Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 If you want someone to blame for this thread it's Discreet's fault. 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? Quote
Geek99 Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 Maybe they sell less of them so costs are higher Quote
TheGreek Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 Somebody has to squeeze the nozzle on the gold lacquer can - proper qualification that is... Quote
SpondonBassed Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 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...! Quote
FinnDave Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 Because it's shinier. Shiney stuff is aways more expensive (ask any married man!) Quote
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 The gold colour is caused by a minutely thin plating of gold. That's why it looks gold. I doubt the amount of gold consumed covers the price hike, but the chemicals used in the process are nasty and need a lot of care in handling. Quote
Dood Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 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
SpondonBassed Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) [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 February 24, 2017 by SpondonBassed Quote
EBS_freak Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 [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. Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 [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? Quote
Dood Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 [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 Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 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
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) [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 February 24, 2017 by stingrayPete1977 Quote
T-Bay Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 [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. Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 No it looks hard to me, maybe a pointy hat would help? Quote
SpondonBassed Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 What about white enamel then? Like ye olde style kitchen bowls, enamel (which is glass) on metal. Quote
Dan Dare Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 [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? Quote
fleabag Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 [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] Kerching ! Quote
SpondonBassed Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) 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 February 25, 2017 by SpondonBassed Quote
Norris Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 It's more expensive to chrome plate than nickel because of the processes involved. I can only assume that gold plating involves even more processes, adding to the cost Quote
SpondonBassed Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) [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 February 25, 2017 by SpondonBassed Quote
Bbiigg Kev Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) All the hardware on my Grand Master custom P/J five string bass is Hipshot gold and looks really good !!! But then I'm a flash bastard . [url="http://www.grandmasterguitars.com"]http://www.grandmasterguitars.com[/url] Edited February 25, 2017 by Bbiigg Kev Quote
Dood Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 [quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1488013215' post='3244963'] Kerching ! [/quote] Now that's nice Looks like I need a bass to go with them now! Quote
fleabag Posted February 25, 2017 Posted February 25, 2017 I cheated dude Thats Plasti-Kote white primer , then 5 coats of Hycote Lacquer The pickups have already receievd the same treatment. Bridge is next Quote
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