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Bass colors most associated with Leo Fender?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by brocket, Jun 14, 2020.

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  1. Jun 14, 2020 #1
    brocket

    brocket Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2017
    Coastal NC
    I’m kicking around an idea to turn a J bass I’m not playing much into a Leo Bass, basically a mashup of a few Leo Fender designed basses. The one thing I’m having a hard time with is picking a color associated with Leo Fender. I know 3-color sunburst and Candy Apple Red are pretty traditional for a Fender, but I’m going to do a simple rattle can finish so burst is out and I don’t like red. I’m leaning towards Sherwood Green since I like green basses and it’s a historical color, but wasn’t sure if there was a color from Music Man or G&L that’s associated with Fender. Thanks!

    And in case your curious, my idea for the Leo Bass is:
    - J bass w/ rosewood FB
    - Stingray oval pickguard
    - P-bass bridge cover
    - three hole Tele bass control plate
    - 2-band Stingray preamp
    - MFD pickup
    - currently leaning towards Sherwood Green w/mint guard
    - maybe color matched headstock with custom Brocket Leo Bass decal.

    I made scale prints of the main parts to check fit. I’d love the MFD to be in the Stingray spot, but the control plate looks like it’ll interfere, so it might be closer to the P spot. I’ll need someone to rout the body, and I may need to fill in around the control plate.
     
  2. Jun 14, 2020 #2
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    big2 copy2.jpg
     
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  3. Jun 14, 2020 #3
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    seriously: i've seen some great looking axes in green tones! i look forward to seeing what you make of yours! good luck! :thumbsup:
     
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  4. Jun 14, 2020 #4
    mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    Leo's preEB Musicman era didn't have any green colors.
    Natural, Burst, Black, Silver, Brown, White, and then they added Red after Leo split and Jackson took over building.
     
  5. Jun 14, 2020 #5
    cdef

    cdef

    Jul 18, 2003
    Leo color? Guess I'd vote for butterscotch.
     
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  6. Jun 14, 2020 #6
    Elusive1

    Elusive1

    Jun 21, 2018
    Singapore
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  7. Jun 14, 2020 #7
    ELG60

    ELG60 Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2017
    Mid-Florida
    20200411_164846.jpg
     
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  8. Jun 14, 2020 #8
    nixdad

    nixdad

    Aug 15, 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
    Isn't this Sherwood Green?
    Nick Mustang.jpg
     
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  9. Jun 14, 2020 #9
    Killing Floor

    Killing Floor Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2020
    Austin, TX
    Gotta be that brown burst that bassists love (or it's the only option) and guitarists and your audience hate.
     
  10. Jun 14, 2020 #10
    garp

    garp

    Feb 7, 2009
    Connecticut USA
    Personally, I'd eschew most of the traditional Leo finishes and go for something from the '80s "international series" – still official Fender, but unique enough to be different:
    • Arctic White
    • Morocco Red
    • Maui Blue
    • Monaco Yellow
    • Capri Orange
    • Sahara Taupe
    • Cathay Ebony
     
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  11. Jun 14, 2020 #11
    brocket

    brocket Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2017
    Coastal NC
    Ooooo. That’s a good one. If I wasn’t using a MIM J with a thick poly finish that’d be a great direction to go.

    Great! Thanks!! Hmmm... I’ve always liked Shoreline Gold too...
     
  12. Jun 14, 2020 #12
    dabbler

    dabbler

    Aug 17, 2007
    Bowie, MD
    Lake Placid Blue (LPB)!

    IMGP2723a.jpg
     
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  13. Jun 14, 2020 #13
    franklindayala

    franklindayala

    Feb 8, 2015
    PERÚ
    Candy apple red was the only Fender in house custom color. The rest was from car catalogs (that are really cool also).

    Edit: If green is your option. Go with British racing green.

     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2020
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  14. Jun 14, 2020 #14
    Kro

    Kro

    May 7, 2003
    New Jersey
    Where's that eye roll emoji...
     
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  15. Jun 14, 2020 #15
    Ghastly

    Ghastly

    Oct 18, 2015
    Mill Valley
    Well, how about blond? It's what turned into butterscotch over a long time. Or maybe sonic blue?
     
  16. Jun 14, 2020 #16
    nixdad

    nixdad

    Aug 15, 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
    I can't disagree if a shade of green is up for consideration. Rickenbacker did a limited run a few years ago of BRG, which is classic and lovely:
    Ric BRG.JPG
     
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  17. Jun 14, 2020 #17
    Pocket4

    Pocket4 Supporting Member

    Dec 9, 2013
    New Hampshire
    I'd be kind of surprised if Leo had anything at all to do with colors other than blond. It's a great plan to go Sherwood Green. I've wanted one for years.
     
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  18. Jun 14, 2020 #18
    mongo2

    mongo2

    Feb 17, 2008
    Da Shaw
    Personally I'd go with Sherwood Green with a matching headstock and a mint guard.
     
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  19. Jun 14, 2020 #19
    Chickenwheels

    Chickenwheels

    Aug 4, 2018
    Sydney Australia
    Maple fingerboard, natural ash/blond body/ black pick guard.
    Think telecaster, original Precision, StingRay.
    This has always seemed the most “Leo” of schemes. He never seemed big on flash.
     
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  20. Jun 14, 2020 #20
    staurosjohn

    staurosjohn My (Adopted) Daughter Supporting Member

    Jun 15, 2010
    Nottingham, Maryland USA
    +1 for Sonic Blue... I’ve done 2- rattle can refins (both pics are filtered- they actually looked very similar in color)

    B3B1DCC2-ABA7-4686-935C-F85A8A2B2C52.jpeg C8F501B2-79AD-4768-9167-4A033F1C04B9.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2020
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