Gold hardware question

[Axelorox]

Is the gold hardware on Gibson Custom Shop guitars plated with actual gold? Or is it a combination of other metals made to look like gold?

 

[El Gringo]

This is only a guess and I think it's formulated to look like gold , because if it was plated it would cost more than it does.

 

[PaulD]

It is indeed real gold. Gold plating involves electroplating an item with a very thin layer of gold, typically less than 1 micron thick (1 micron = 0.001mm or 0.04 thou). As the plating is so thin only a very small amount of gold is used so the cost is not prohibitive.

 

[Jacku]

With their price, there is no gold. My only Gold - 1995 Ibanez PS10 Ltd guitar hardware is gold. It costs almost a fortune. I bought it from an online pawn shop in the UK when I visited my grandparents, musicians. They have dedicated their whole lives to music and singing in local bars. I wanted to do the same, but the pandemic proved that there was no need for people like me. I have to make a living without waiting for state help. So, I changed jobs, learning IT step by step, and now looking for another owner of my guitar.

 

[El Gringo]

Ex

At their costs, there is no gold.

Execute order #66

 

[PaulD]

If you don't believe it is gold plated then I suggest you contact Gibson and ask them but I can assure you that the answer will be that it is. The Gibson website lists the pickup covers as being "Gold-plated Nickel Silver". It would be illegal to claim this if they were not!

 

[renderit]

Gold.

 

[El Gringo]

Gold.

I believe you , wouldn't it cost more for the hardware though ? versus what we pay ?

 

[PaulD]

As I said previously, due to the fact that gold plating is very thin (typically less than 1 micron) the cost of the material used is not overly significant. It costs only slightly more to electroplate something with gold than it would to electroplate it with chrome or nickel.