Right now I don't have a good black or almost-black option for plating the small lot size we do for individual instruments. Previously we used black nickel oxide for our "almost black" finish and it was great, but the owner of that company retired, and the business shut down.
I've sampled out stuff to scores of candidates. We do all the metal prepping but most of the time they would come back with scratches and dings. It's hard to find someone who really "gets" it, but I'm still looking!
The main issue is that we need to work with someone that is willing to do an awesome job for one guitar's parts. I'm not sending in large batches, so we usually are in the minimum lot charge, even if we are plating fewer parts that the minimum could hold. It's my understanding that regulations are shutting down many of the smaller companies.
Currently the best option we have is ruthenium, which is more of a smoky nickel color.
