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]

At their costs, there is no gold.

 

[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.