Fender's Lake Placid Blue question

[John Cartwright]

Hi folks,

Getting ready to buy a body for my friend's parts Strat I'm working on (the one I was having some fretting troubles with in a recent post - update: new fret selection and tang adjusting tool on its way to facilitate a new and better re-fret) and he's leaving it up to me to pick the color.  I've always liked Lake Placid Blue, but I've noticed that there are some discrepancies in this color.  Now I know that lacquer and age can change any color on a guitar over time, but I'm seeing variances even within modern examples, on line.  

Some seem to be a bit lighter and lean toward a warmish slight green tone, while others are darker and lean toward a cooler 'Smurf' blue!  Personally, I prefer the ones that lean green and warm.

Does anyone know what the story is behind this?  Has Fender put out different colors under the "Lake Placid Blue" name, or are people just mistaking one color for another like Ocean Turquoise or something? Bad photograph perhaps? 

Just curious. Thanks!! -John


 

[Thomas James]

That color seems to change a lot over time.  Have you browsed here:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

[Jeff Highland]

Fender used automotive acrylic lacquers for these and generally a nitrocellulose clear over

The clear yellows over time, to turn the blue towards green

[Paul Verticchio]

Hi John.

I've owned a few LPB Strats of varying vintages and have worked on dozens.  There IS a difference in the base color.  Some are a deep rich blue and some were much lighter.

If you are using lacquer for your base & top coats,  the only thing you can be really sure of is that in 5 years, it'll likely be a different color. (;

The closest shade I've seen to a real 60's LPB are on the MIJ Fender Strat's.  They nailed it dead-on.  Check out the LPB aerosol from ReRanch.  They got it right too.

Best of luck,

Paul

[John Cartwright]

Thanks for the info and the link.  I'll be bookmarking them for further reference and possible purchase when needed. You guys have me totally geeking out over color and finish chemistry LOL!  ...not that this is a bad thing :-)

[John Cartwright]

Well, I've read your responses, and I did pull the trigger on a MIM official Fender body made to American specs with regard to the bridge and neck pocket.  It leans to the green and warm side but light, from what I can tell.   If all else fails, I'll load it up with a good neck and electronics and sell it ....or keep it to my wife's chagrin. 

Like I said, I knew about how age can affect things, but I'm surprised by the paint differences and acrylic vs nitro!  Thank you all for your comments, and thanks Thomas for reminding me of that wonderful website.  I had forgotten about that website over the course of having a computer die on me and losing my "favorites" which included that sight.  I had only really delved into the 1930's and 40's Gibson acoustics as they were pertinent to my repairs at the time, but what a treasure trove!  I have it saved again and I will return to it often now.  Thanks guys!  You rock! - John

[Christian Johnson]

Keep in mind, most vintage Fender colors were from cars of the period e.g sea foam green was from a '55 Buick.

[John Cartwright]

I gotta say, I really dig the connection between Fender’s colors and classic cars.  I like that shared bit of history.

[Matt Haugen]

Also remember when looking on line at colors that your monitor calibration could be off and the color on one moitor could be (and usually is) different from others. It could also be affected by the lighting and camera used to take the picture. I see that you alrady have all the info that you need, but I just wanted to throw that out there.

[John Cartwright]

Coming from an art and design background, I am aware of those pesky little factors when dealing with online photos.  I have a professional IPS monitor from NEC that is properly calibrated, so I'm good there, but you never know what's happening on the other end, unfortunately.   Thank you for bringing this up, though!  A lot of people don't know or forget about these aspects.  Good call!