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Yet another mouthpiece thread! The subject says it all. What's the difference between, say, a Jim Self Signature and a Jim Self Replica? Other than the price. Does the gold plating really make a difference, or justify the price tag? Is there something else intangible? Inquiring minds and all that...

Thanks!

Gold plating is for a)those who are allergic to silver, and b) those who want a slightly more slippery feel than silver.

The "signature series" look pretty and cost more .

With a good buffing job, gold plating is feels very smooth, but only for a few weeks, because it is also very soft , which is why - a number of years ago - I migrated to stainless steel (and/or titanium coated stainless steel) rims. So far – after years and years - they still all feel like newly gold plated rims…very smooth. Even beard stubble scratches gold plating.
“Smooth” and “soft” are not synonyms.