REGULAR TELECASTER AND ESQUIRE
Prototypes samples and pre-production Esquires featured a black painted pinewood body. Regular Esquires, Broadcasters, NoCasters and Telecasters were offered in a standard transparent blond (or blonde as it was initially spelt) finish.
On his early Telecaster-style guitars, Leo Fender probably used a furniture-grade tinted lacquer, applied with a thin opaqueing color coat, as he probably wanted to emulate the limed or pickled finish found on late '40s “modern” furniture. These guitars were known for their black pickguard and see-through butterscotch finish.
By 1952 Fender began to order paint supplies from a local company called Spartan Lacquer and the shade of blonde changed slightly, although the same basic hue was retained.
During the summer of 1954, probably Fender switched over to more durable and available automotive finishes, and started shooting more paint to produce a slightly more opaque and lighter shading. The result was a truer blonde with the grain still visible. At the same time pickguard changed to white.
By 1957, Telecasters featured an “off-white” blond finish, which was retained until the early '60s.
Therefore, these different shades of blond were the result of several factors such as the type of lacquer used, the way the finish was applied and to some extent the ageing process.
On his early Telecaster-style guitars, Leo Fender probably used a furniture-grade tinted lacquer, applied with a thin opaqueing color coat, as he probably wanted to emulate the limed or pickled finish found on late '40s “modern” furniture. These guitars were known for their black pickguard and see-through butterscotch finish.
By 1952 Fender began to order paint supplies from a local company called Spartan Lacquer and the shade of blonde changed slightly, although the same basic hue was retained.
During the summer of 1954, probably Fender switched over to more durable and available automotive finishes, and started shooting more paint to produce a slightly more opaque and lighter shading. The result was a truer blonde with the grain still visible. At the same time pickguard changed to white.
By 1957, Telecasters featured an “off-white” blond finish, which was retained until the early '60s.
Therefore, these different shades of blond were the result of several factors such as the type of lacquer used, the way the finish was applied and to some extent the ageing process.
By 1956, though, special colors became available at 5% charge. The 1957 catalogue thus specifies: “TELECASTER AND ESQUIRE GUITARS ARE AVAILABLE IN CUSTOM COLOR FINISHES AT AN ADDITIONAL 5% COST.” In the rather conservative environment of the decade, it was not common to paint a guitar in red or blue and original custom-colored Telecasters were exceedingly rare.
By late 1957, George Fullerton came up with the idea of standardized custom color finishes. In addition to each instrument's standard finish a few optional colors (plus blonde, which was the first to be standardized on Stratocaster model) became available.
In 1960 Fender released its first color chart which included 14 custom colors: Lake Placid Blue, Daphne Blue, Sonic Blue, Shoreline Gold, Olympic White, Burgundy Mist, Black, Sherwood Green, Foam Green, Surf Green, Inca Silver, Fiesta Red, Dakota Red and Shell Pink. The catalog stated: “These 14 colors, plus Blond, available at 5% additional cost. Sunburst finish standard at no extra cost.” Although sunburst was not a special finish per se at factory level, it was a true custom color for regular Telecasters and Esquires. Blond was actually available at no extra cost but 2-Color Sunburst was a chargeable custom finish.
In mid-1958, 2-Color Sunburst was changed for a 3-Color Sunburst, with red blended between dark brown and yellow. Until 1960, Fender experienced some problems with the new sunburst finish, because, owing to chemical reaction, the red pigment usually faded easily after it was exposed to daylight. For this reason today there are more 2-Color Sunburst Fender instruments than those actually made. By 1961, the problem was finally solved.
The chart also mentioned: “Colors subject to change without notice.” In fact, in 1963, Shell Pink was replaced by Candy Apple Red, the only custom color developed by Fender – the others came from the automotive industry.
This was only the first change followed by others in 1965 with the CBS takeover, but, until 1969, Fender retained 14 custom colors plus the blond and sunburst finish.
By late 1957, George Fullerton came up with the idea of standardized custom color finishes. In addition to each instrument's standard finish a few optional colors (plus blonde, which was the first to be standardized on Stratocaster model) became available.
In 1960 Fender released its first color chart which included 14 custom colors: Lake Placid Blue, Daphne Blue, Sonic Blue, Shoreline Gold, Olympic White, Burgundy Mist, Black, Sherwood Green, Foam Green, Surf Green, Inca Silver, Fiesta Red, Dakota Red and Shell Pink. The catalog stated: “These 14 colors, plus Blond, available at 5% additional cost. Sunburst finish standard at no extra cost.” Although sunburst was not a special finish per se at factory level, it was a true custom color for regular Telecasters and Esquires. Blond was actually available at no extra cost but 2-Color Sunburst was a chargeable custom finish.
In mid-1958, 2-Color Sunburst was changed for a 3-Color Sunburst, with red blended between dark brown and yellow. Until 1960, Fender experienced some problems with the new sunburst finish, because, owing to chemical reaction, the red pigment usually faded easily after it was exposed to daylight. For this reason today there are more 2-Color Sunburst Fender instruments than those actually made. By 1961, the problem was finally solved.
The chart also mentioned: “Colors subject to change without notice.” In fact, in 1963, Shell Pink was replaced by Candy Apple Red, the only custom color developed by Fender – the others came from the automotive industry.
This was only the first change followed by others in 1965 with the CBS takeover, but, until 1969, Fender retained 14 custom colors plus the blond and sunburst finish.
Since 1969, respecting the trend of the guitarists of the time who preferred "natural" colors to solid colors, Fender had begun to remove more finishes than it had added.
Custom colors were reduced to six in 1974, including 3-Color Sunburst, Blond (which was discontinued in 1979), Black, White plus Natural (ash) and Walnut, both introduced in 1972. The next year, the distinction between custom and standard color was invalidated.
New colors were added in 1977, but custom colors did not reappear until the end of 1980, when Fender introduced the short-lived International Colors (codes from 580 to 586) as a custom option at a $50 additional charge. At the end of 1981, they were replaced by the Jewel Colors (codes from 542 to 548) available at a $75 extra charge, with the exception of the Arctic White, which remained on the list until 1983.
In 1982 three Stratoburst finishes (Bronze, Black and Blue) were introduced at a $100 additional charge on the Standard Telecaster.
Custom colors were reduced to six in 1974, including 3-Color Sunburst, Blond (which was discontinued in 1979), Black, White plus Natural (ash) and Walnut, both introduced in 1972. The next year, the distinction between custom and standard color was invalidated.
New colors were added in 1977, but custom colors did not reappear until the end of 1980, when Fender introduced the short-lived International Colors (codes from 580 to 586) as a custom option at a $50 additional charge. At the end of 1981, they were replaced by the Jewel Colors (codes from 542 to 548) available at a $75 extra charge, with the exception of the Arctic White, which remained on the list until 1983.
In 1982 three Stratoburst finishes (Bronze, Black and Blue) were introduced at a $100 additional charge on the Standard Telecaster.
By mid-83, the colors list was cut down to four finishes: Black, Ivory, Sienna and Brown Sunburst.
In the end of 1984, 75 Telecasters were manufactured with a limited edition “marble” finish, also called “bowling ball”, available in three equal batches of different colors (Red, Blue and Gold). These bodies were not painted in Fullerton, but in a New York company, and sold in 1985.
'50s and '60s custom finishes were automotive paints, usually made by DuPont, except Candy Apple Red, which was an original custom color by Fender. These paints were either enamel lacquers (Duco colors) or Acrylic lacquers (Lucite colors). Formulas were always by DuPont, but the paint could also be purchased from other suppliers.
A few custom finishes other than those listed in the chart, as sparkle colors, aqua marine, blue antigua, etc..., were sometimes applied on Fender instruments. These unlisted “ghost finishes” were produced in Fullerton either as a “real” custom order, as part of a special run for an authorized dealer, or simply as an experiment.
In the end of 1984, 75 Telecasters were manufactured with a limited edition “marble” finish, also called “bowling ball”, available in three equal batches of different colors (Red, Blue and Gold). These bodies were not painted in Fullerton, but in a New York company, and sold in 1985.
'50s and '60s custom finishes were automotive paints, usually made by DuPont, except Candy Apple Red, which was an original custom color by Fender. These paints were either enamel lacquers (Duco colors) or Acrylic lacquers (Lucite colors). Formulas were always by DuPont, but the paint could also be purchased from other suppliers.
A few custom finishes other than those listed in the chart, as sparkle colors, aqua marine, blue antigua, etc..., were sometimes applied on Fender instruments. These unlisted “ghost finishes” were produced in Fullerton either as a “real” custom order, as part of a special run for an authorized dealer, or simply as an experiment.
OTHER MODELS
In mid-1959, Fender unveiled the new Telecaster Custom. At first, it came in a 3-Color Sunburst bound alder body, but custom colors were available soon. After 1965, black binding was sometimes used on light custom color finishes.
Until 1960, Fender experienced some problems with the sunburst finish, because, owing to chemical reaction, the red pigment usually faded easily after it was exposed to daylight. For this reason, today there are more 2-Color Sunburst Fender instruments than those actually made. By 1961, the problem was finally solved. |
When the Telecaster Custom was revamped in 1972, Sunburst remained the standard finish, but by 1975 the model was offered with same finishes as the regular Telecaster.
The Telecaster Thinline was at first released in 1968 with Natural ash and mahogany as its two standard finishes, but Sunburst was quickly added.
The Telecaster Thinline was at first released in 1968 with Natural ash and mahogany as its two standard finishes, but Sunburst was quickly added.
The model was revamped with two humbuckers in late 1961 and the mahogany was dropped by Fender, and therefore the new Thinline was offered with same finishes as the regular Telecaster.
Initially, the Telecaster Deluxe was released with Walnut finish, but by 1975 it was offered with same finishes as the regular Telecaster.
Finally, it should be mentioned special Telecasters offered with unique finishes, as the Mahogany Telecaster in 1963-65, the Paisley Red and Blue Flower models made between 1968 and 1969, the Rosewood Telecaster in 1969-72, the Black & Gold Telecaster in 1981-83 and the Walnut Elite in 1983-85.
Initially, the Telecaster Deluxe was released with Walnut finish, but by 1975 it was offered with same finishes as the regular Telecaster.
Finally, it should be mentioned special Telecasters offered with unique finishes, as the Mahogany Telecaster in 1963-65, the Paisley Red and Blue Flower models made between 1968 and 1969, the Rosewood Telecaster in 1969-72, the Black & Gold Telecaster in 1981-83 and the Walnut Elite in 1983-85.