O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

[Rufue]

Hi All,

I am looking to put Schaller strap locks on my DK-1 which has chrome hardware. I see that the strap locks come in chrome and nickle finishes. What is the difference between the two finishes? They look the same to me in the pictures.

[Budman68]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

<font color="aqua">chrome is actually brighter and nickel has more of a "vintage" color too it. </font>

[Zerberus]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

Chrome looks more "bluish" wheras nickel is more "yellowish"

[zeegler]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

Nickel also seems to be more durable and look good for longer.

[MetalMedal II]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

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Nickel also seems to be more durable and look good for longer.

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Really? I always thought nickel tarnished a lot easier and it was chrome that held up better.

[Budman68]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

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Nickel also seems to be more durable and look good for longer.

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Really? I always thought nickel tarnished a lot easier and it was chrome that held up better.

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<font color="aqua">quite honestly it really depends on the quality of the plating job, not the plating itself. Every kind of plating can be very durable or very cheaply done. </font>

[Rufue]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

Thanks for the info guys! Now I know the difference.

[Grandturk]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

I've noticed, specifically with Schaller strap locks, the chrome plating is pretty durable and will stay shiney for years and years (10 + for me). Their nickel plated locks tarnish and dull after a year or so. Nickel is noted for doing this, and that's one of the reasons the vintage guys replace chrome hardware with nickel, since it looks more "vintage-y."

[MountainDog]

Re: O.K., What is the Difference - Chrome and Nickle

FYI, for most chrome plating, a layer of nickel is put on first, so the nickel strap locks are simply ones that they pulled out of the tanks before the chrome was applied.

Nickel is good for corrosion resistance, but isn't known for it's shiny-ness. For motocross bikes, FMF racing uses nickel on their 2-stroke pipes, but their top of the line SST pipe is also chrome-plated "for everlasting appearance and durability"

so it's about the same with the strap locks! Also, I've found the nickel ones to be a better color match to guitars with brushed satin hardware (Jackson/Ibanez)