Hardware: is mine nickel or chrome?

jaymenon

How do I tell if the hardware on my partscaster. (Telecaster) is nickel or chrome?

I want to add some new parts - and I would very much like them to match...

JDE

Is it tarnished or “cloudy” at all? If so, it’s nickel. If it’s untarnished and has a mirror-like sheen, it’s chrome. 

stickyfiddle

JDE said:

Is it tarnished or “cloudy” at all? If so, it’s nickel. If it’s untarnished and has a mirror-like sheen, it’s chrome. 

That only holds if it's more than a couple of year old and you haven't polished anything. 

Nickel tends to look warmer and more "yellowy", whereas chrome is a little more at the blue end of silver.  Chrome is usually the default option, especially for cheaper parts. Post a pic or 3 and we can probably tell you. 

gavin_axecaster

^Yep. Easiest is to find a known chrome part and compare. The difference should be obvious.

https://axecaster.co.uk/blog/?p=3471

Funkfingers

Proper vintage Fenders have a mixture of both finishes. Old Klusons tend to be nickel. Control plates and bridge baseplates tend to be chrome.

Andyjr1515

Have you got a photo?

jaymenon

Thanks guys for taking so much trouble to try and help...

I'm away from home at present - will post a pic as son as I get home...

jaymenon

Funkfingers said:

Proper vintage Fenders have a mixture of both finishes. Old Klusons tend to be nickel. Control plates and bridge baseplates tend to be chrome.

Wow - I never knew that. So I suppose it doesn't matter if I 'mix and match' too...

jaymenon

gavin_axecaster said:

^Yep. Easiest is to find a known chrome part and compare. The difference should be obvious.

https://axecaster.co.uk/blog/?p=3471

Thanks Gavin - that's very informative and clear...