Fender Custom Colors

[sikoniko]

In continuing the tribute to Fender, In 1961, Fender released the first 'official' custom color chart:

The next one was released in 63:

And another in 65/66:

Before that, Sunburst was the standard color and some blonde guitars were produced (including the Mary Kayes with gold hardware). Outside of that, any custom color could be ordered to match your car! (typically colors came from the DuPont/Decco color charts of the day).

lets see those custom color'd fenders! :dude:

this site has a lot of great information: http://www.guitarhq.com/fenderc.html

 

[DMartini]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

I only have a MIJ OCAR '57 Stratocaster, but I think its historically incorrect because Im sure OCAR wasn't around till the early 1960's not late 50's, im pretty sure :hmm
my fave custom colours are:
Jaguar - Burgandy Mist Metallic with matching headstock
Jazzmaster - Shoreline Gold with matching headstock mint green guard
Stratocaster - Ocean Turquoise Metallic
Telecaster - the double bound body early 60's ones with a OLPB or maybe IBM finish.
:yah

 

[houndog31]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

I've always wondered why they offered both Sonic Blue and Daphne Blue, and same with Surf Green and Foam Green, there are very close, not exactly same but close enough to not require both options. Fiesta and Dakota Reds did appear different enough tho, still subtle considering the number of options.

 

[S. Cane]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

Very nice thread! Are you a member at The Fender Forum too? You should post it there also, since our admins decided not to close it there for now!

Thanks, great info!

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

I always find it funny that people apply "Custom Color" names to their Mustangs, Musicmaster IIs and Duo-Sonic IIs. :wah
They were merely Red, White, and Blue.
[not Fiesta, Olympic or Sonic]

Competition colors came later [and were designated colors].

 

[Billy Porter]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

In continuing the tribute to Fender, In 1961, Fender released the first 'official' custom color chart:


lets see those custom color'd fenders! :dude:

LPB 2005 60s Series with Tex-Mex pickups, Jimmy Vaughan wiring, CTS Pots and Orange drops.

I didn’t set out to buy this colour but the guitar was just so nice to play



My main gigging and go to guitar

 

[herb]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

Always liked either the Sonic Blue or Fiesta Red on Strats, especially with the matching headstock.

 

[Cogswell]

I'm not sure but I don't think those charts are from '61 & '63. Check out the Fender logo. That's a '65 style "Fender".
*edit* Nope, nevermind. I guess they used that font for ads before it made its way onto the headstock

 

[landminelenny]

I'm not sure but I don't think those charts are from '61 & '63. Check out the Fender logo. That's a '65 style "Fender".
*edit* Nope, nevermind. I guess they used that font for ads before it made its way onto the headstock

1960 Jazz Bass Cogs.

 

[sikoniko]

I'm not sure but I don't think those charts are from '61 & '63. Check out the Fender logo. That's a '65 style "Fender".
*edit* Nope, nevermind. I guess they used that font for ads before it made its way onto the headstock

I pulled those from a site. I'm a bit suspicious of the first one. Ive never seen an early 60s candy apple red guitar, but I have seen MANY 65 CAR jaguars and a few strats. I would guess the two are flipped.

 

[Cogswell]

1960 Jazz Bass Cogs.

Sorry. Being a Strat guy, they are my point of reference
lol

 

[sikoniko]

I'm not sure how important it is to reference source pictures in a forum, but I found a couple pictures that are in a Strat book I like on a website. They are referenced as pictures from John Peden. I hope there is no issue in using them here.

Here we have Candy Apple Red (CAR), Dakota Red, and Fiesta Red:

And here is Cimarron Red - a color Bill Carson favored. It is a little difficult to distinguish the differences from these pictures, but Cimarron is a darker, richer red:

 

[sikoniko]

Here are some famous guys playing one of my favorite custom colors - fiesta red.

This is a pic of Mark Knopfler (and both of his vintage strats). I know his head is chopped off, but it was difficult finding a pic that I could confirm he was playing his vintage strat and not a modern signature guitar:

this guitar was fiesta red before the custom work was done...

 

[sikoniko]

I know Hank Marvin was the guy that kinda started the fiesta red thing. Please feel free to add a pic. I ran out of time to hunt.

 

[sikoniko]

Re: Fender Custom Color's

Very nice thread! Are you a member at The Fender Forum too? You should post it there also, since our admins decided not to close it there for now!

Thanks, great info!

I'll be happy to once the software gets updated. :yah

 

[TwoTubMan]

FYI, after 41 years in Texas bars, Lake Placid Blue mutates into Volga River Green.

 

[585960]

 

[585960]

 

[DMartini]

585960 - are they your Fenders? that's some cool custom colours!
really like the OTM Jazzmaster, that Inca Silver one is nice as well, love matching headstocks on Jaguars & Jazzmaster custom colours

 

[roadrunner]

Just don't call Fiesta, "Salmon Pink!!!" Man, I hate it when that happens.:rofl

Here's a little Custom Color trivia for you. Bill Carson was a good friend of mine and he told me that he remembered some all girl show band from Vegas ordering matching instruments... all Shell Pink. Bill said that those were the only Shell Pink guitars and basses that he ever remembered them making.
I remember seeing a Shell Pink Jag at the Dallas Show in the late '80's and I almost bought it just for the color. Never seen another original Shell Pink Fender guitar... really rare color.