Does new nickel hardware on an old guitar 'catch up' with the rest of the hardware?

jaymenon

What the question asks really...

If I were to fit a new set of nickel covered humbuckers on an old Les Paul, will the humbucker covers age and catch up with the rest of the hardware - bridge, tailpiece etc?  Or will the other bits of older hardware continue to age and always look older than the pickups...? 

GoldenEraGuitars

Yes

jaymenon

GoldenEraGuitars said:

Yes

 Yes - to the first or the second question please?

GoldenEraGuitars

Well... the newer parts will usually have less wear on them over time that the older bits. Depends how knackered the older parts are right now

jaymenon

This is what it looks like now - like a set of DiMarzio Super Distortions on a '59 Burst...

I think I ideally want something that has a used but not abused vibe to it, rather than something relic-ed...

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/6UHbzbg.jpg)

[Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/Z7FSTHX.jpg)

Andyjr1515

Well, that's pretty clean, polished up old nickel. 

 I would have thought proper nickel covers would blend in very quickly.

Be aware that covers (that is, metal covers) will change the sound.  Not necessarily in a bad way, but it will be different.