Original butterscotch blonde

Fret Wilkes · October 13th, 2004, 03:26 PM

I was noticing in a photo that the butterscotch blonde on my 52RI is quite close to the color of my 73 Martin D28s aged spruce top. The Martin also has a blackguard.

Could Leo have been trying to emulate the look of an old Martin or an aged spruce top in general when he originally came up with butterscotch?

I remember Fuzzy suggesting that the color came from furniture of the day and posted a photo of an example.

Fuzzy is usually right about this kind of thing, but the thought crossed my mind.

Fret

Anonymous · October 13th, 2004, 05:34 PM

Kinda tough to really see it in online photos because monitors and lighting conditions vary so much, but have a look at these:

Heywood-Wakefield furniture

1950 Broadcaster

As you say, I'd defer to 0le FUZZY as the "axepert" on this issue. A lot of the early blackguards were a much lighter and less orange-y shade than what we generally call "butterscotch" today. And just about anyone who grew up in the US in the '50s will likely have memories of this color; it was everywhere. (Of course, I was struggling to see the top of the bureau at the time, not playing a Telecaster – but I still remember the color...) ;-) Hope it helps, CS :-)

Freddy Fender · October 14th, 2004, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fret Wilkes

I was noticing in a photo that the butterscotch blonde on my 52RI is quite close to the color of my 73 Martin D28s aged spruce top. The Martin also has a blackguard.

Could Leo have been trying to emulate the look of an old Martin or an aged spruce top in general when he originally came up with butterscotch?

I remember Fuzzy suggesting that the color came from furniture of the day and posted a photo of an example.

Fuzzy is usually right about this kind of thing, but the thought crossed my mind.

Fret

The way I understand it is that the butterscotch result is just a yellowing of the lacquer that was used over the "blonde" prior to '54. It is not an actual paint color. Sometime in '54 they changed to a different lacquer.

Impala · October 28th, 2004, 01:29 PM

Check out the Tele book and in the color section you'll find a very early (I believe 1950) Tele with a blonde that's actually creamier and closer to post '54 specs. Could it be that this particular example hasn't been exposed to light and environment that much? I always wondered if the butterscotch was the result of the finish oxidating.

0le FUZZY · October 28th, 2004, 03:34 PM

The 51 Nocaster on the rite hand side of page 36 is very close tew the original color.

Please visit my page

Impala · October 28th, 2004, 05:07 PM

that's the one I was referring to. It's noticeably whiter than what we commonly associate with the butterscotch color. Could it be oxidation & exposure to the elements?

Mur · October 28th, 2004, 08:21 PM

Old one's I've seen are lighter and paler. Fender did switch paint alot, but I have videos from mid 50's of guys playin' Teles, those are paler too. I think CS nocaster is closer to most the old ones.

0le FUZZY · October 28th, 2004, 09:33 PM

Oh yes, the years take their toll.

Even TELECASTERs I haff sprayed clear with Poly turn yaller after jes a few years. They start off clear!!

This one waz almost white when I first clear-coated it with Poly back inna 90s.

Please visit my page

OutlawSteph · October 30th, 2004, 07:56 PM

They look better faded methinks. The reissues are too orange, but maybe they will look better and more blonde as time goes by??

dB · October 30th, 2004, 09:14 PM

want to know is, where are all the avocado Teles from the early 70's?

Just a thought.

Donnie

Anonymous · October 30th, 2004, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dB

want to know is, where are all the avocado Teles from the early 70's?

Here's the Fender version:

http://www.pittsburghguitars.com/collantigua.html

Arrgggh... my eyes, my eyes.

CS

Mur · October 30th, 2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

The reissues are too orange

I'm thinkin' Fender wanted a richer color for the 52RI.

Early 50's blond Fender steels (many preserved) are a good way to see the original color.

October 13th, 2004, 03:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fret Wilkes Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Harmony, R.I. Age: 51 Posts: 873 21 Photos	Original butterscotch blonde I was noticing in a photo that the butterscotch blonde on my 52RI is quite close to the color of my 73 Martin D28s aged spruce top. The Martin also has a blackguard. Could Leo have been trying to emulate the look of an old Martin or an aged spruce top in general when he originally came up with butterscotch? I remember Fuzzy suggesting that the color came from furniture of the day and posted a photo of an example. Fuzzy is usually right about this kind of thing, but the thought crossed my mind. Fret __________________ See, I didn't reconize ya when ya first drove up till ya stuck yer hand out and wove then I seen right off who ya was and knowd ya. Epiphany: The Ignore List can make the TDPRI and even BETTER place to be!

October 13th, 2004, 05:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 0	Furniture-casters (no, not that kind) Kinda tough to really see it in online photos because monitors and lighting conditions vary so much, but have a look at these: Heywood-Wakefield furniture 1950 Broadcaster As you say, I'd defer to 0le FUZZY as the "axepert" on this issue. A lot of the early blackguards were a much lighter and less orange-y shade than what we generally call "butterscotch" today. And just about anyone who grew up in the US in the '50s will likely have memories of this color; it was everywhere. (Of course, I was struggling to see the top of the bureau at the time, not playing a Telecaster – but I still remember the color...) ;-) Hope it helps, CS :-)

October 28th, 2004, 01:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Impala Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA Posts: 253	Early butterscotch blonde Check out the Tele book and in the color section you'll find a very early (I believe 1950) Tele with a blonde that's actually creamier and closer to post '54 specs. Could it be that this particular example hasn't been exposed to light and environment that much? I always wondered if the butterscotch was the result of the finish oxidating.

October 28th, 2004, 05:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Impala Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA Posts: 253	Yes Fuzz... that's the one I was referring to. It's noticeably whiter than what we commonly associate with the butterscotch color. Could it be oxidation & exposure to the elements?

October 28th, 2004, 08:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mur Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 772	Never saw a real 50's the color of a 52RI . . Old one's I've seen are lighter and paler. Fender did switch paint alot, but I have videos from mid 50's of guys playin' Teles, those are paler too. I think CS nocaster is closer to most the old ones.

October 28th, 2004, 03:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	The 51 Nocaster on the rite hand side of page 36 is very close tew the original color. Please visit my page

October 28th, 2004, 09:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	Oh yes, the years take their toll. Even TELECASTERs I haff sprayed clear with Poly turn yaller after jes a few years. They start off clear!! This one waz almost white when I first clear-coated it with Poly back inna 90s. Please visit my page

October 30th, 2004, 07:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
OutlawSteph Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 453	They look better faded methinks. The reissues are too orange, but maybe they will look better and more blonde as time goes by?? __________________ 'From the hills they came, from backwoods without a name, carrying their guitars and a heartful of southern soul..'

October 30th, 2004, 09:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
dB Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 390	I like the "popular color at the time" theory, but want to know is, where are all the avocado Teles from the early 70's? Just a thought. Donnie