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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/408108
Tyler Owens - Posted - 04/09/2026: 18:09:06
I'm wondering what the plating is on the flanges on Gibson shoe and bracket banjos?
Prewar Possum - Posted - 04/09/2026: 18:25:27
I have seen and owned both nickel and chrome in these from factory
The vast majority were a very deep nickel plating buffed to a high shine
RioStat - Posted - 04/11/2026: 17:12:52
quote:
Originally posted by Tyler OwensSo how would I go about determining which is which?
Chrome has a "bluish" hue to it.
Nickel looks silver-white.
Nickel tarnishes overtime, chrome doesn't.
The Old Timer - Posted - 04/11/2026: 17:44:41
Also chrome is TOUGH and it doesn't wear through like nickel.
Gibson was experimenting with chrome as early as 1928, and chrome sometimes appears on banjos cataloged with nickel plate. "Chromium" didn't get in the catalog until 1929-30. The Style 4 had it first when the big switch was made in 1929-30 when it switched to walnut wood, the multi-colored wood marquetry, and the Double Flying Eagles/Squashed Frog inlay first appeared. However there were at least 3 batches of Style 4s in the old mahogany hearts & flowers that instead of catalog nickel, had early "chromium" plate - I own one from early 1929. I saw one for sale on line today from 1928 with the bluish chromium plate.
The top tension Style 12 was also chromium -- where the Style 7 was good old nickel.
The post war RB 250s were nickel into the latter 1960s when Gibson switched them to chrome.
Edited by - The Old Timer on 04/11/2026 17:45:56
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