Dumb copper color question...

Jerrod · August 19th, 2006, 06:55 PM

Did they really make one or more original 50s Teles/Esquires in the Metallic Copper color? The Duchoissor book shows an early 50s Esquire in what is described as original copper, but no other mention is made of it in the book or in the Tony Bacon book. Does anybody have insight into this color and its history? Thanks!

Dacious · August 19th, 2006, 07:03 PM

Back then they used nitro and acrylic lacquer, which is car paint. Basically you could custom order any car colour Tele you wanted at a price. Then we have things like the Shoe Tele which appears to have been refinned purple at the factory.

People didn't often get custom colours because it was the 50's, McCarthyism and all that so it didn't pay to stand out and the thought of playing a red or blue guitar probably didn't appeal unless you liked being challenged about your manhood every time you played out - and folks were conservative with a capital C. Plus the Blonde look was a hit. If you didn't get blonde you got white or black. In the very early sixties Fender came out with the standard custom colour chart of 14 or so colours. So someone, somewhere asked for Copper, and Fender decided to use it on the reissues.

fenderfan · August 19th, 2006, 07:21 PM

Fender did sell a limited number of copper colored Teles in the 50s...

Mr. Sparkle · August 19th, 2006, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfan

Fender did sell a limited number of copper colored Teles in the 50s...

All from the same can of paint, I'm sure.

odiemann · August 19th, 2006, 09:09 PM

I have often wanted a copper tele,and have some great paint that would be perfect. It is airless sprayable and very pretty. I am too afraid to paint, though.

Jerrod · August 19th, 2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfan

Fender did sell a limited number of copper colored Teles in the 50s...

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. I wish the book would have expanded on it a little more.

August 19th, 2006, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jerrod Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 144	Dumb copper color question... Did they really make one or more original 50s Teles/Esquires in the Metallic Copper color? The Duchoissor book shows an early 50s Esquire in what is described as original copper, but no other mention is made of it in the book or in the Tony Bacon book. Does anybody have insight into this color and its history? Thanks!

August 19th, 2006, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,610 35 Photos	Back then they used nitro and acrylic lacquer, which is car paint. Basically you could custom order any car colour Tele you wanted at a price. Then we have things like the Shoe Tele which appears to have been refinned purple at the factory. People didn't often get custom colours because it was the 50's, McCarthyism and all that so it didn't pay to stand out and the thought of playing a red or blue guitar probably didn't appeal unless you liked being challenged about your manhood every time you played out - and folks were conservative with a capital C. Plus the Blonde look was a hit. If you didn't get blonde you got white or black. In the very early sixties Fender came out with the standard custom colour chart of 14 or so colours. So someone, somewhere asked for Copper, and Fender decided to use it on the reissues. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

August 19th, 2006, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
fenderfan Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 506	Yes... Fender did sell a limited number of copper colored Teles in the 50s...

August 19th, 2006, 09:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
odiemann Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver Age: 41 Posts: 1,406	I have often wanted a copper tele,and have some great paint that would be perfect. It is airless sprayable and very pretty. I am too afraid to paint, though.