Fender finishes: Candy Cola vs Candy Apple Red

[dje31]

So, what's the difference between Candy Cola & Candy Apple Red? Is one darker / brighter? Opaque vs. metallic? Wet vs. matte? Blood / burgundy vs. true red or orange-y?

It's hard to tell any real differences from the colors on the Fender website, to my eye, at least.

 

[Jared Lash]

Candy cola is a darker red.

I think these photos do a reasonable job showing the difference:

Candy Cola Tele
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Candy Apple Strat
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Candy Cola Jazz
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Candy Apple Jazz
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[dje31]

Thanks, Jared!

 

[Wallace320]

But sometimes, it just ain't so plain right. And I dunno why.

In theory Candy Cola it's an elegant upgrading off candy apple palette.
Truth is that the former got created for proverbial American Standard series only, the latter is a traditional Fender solid finish.

Years ago, I happened to own an active Jazz in Candy Apple + tortoise 4 ply.
One regret of mine off my past, refers to a Jaguar with matching headstock. I can swear the color was Candy Apple...

There's a shop not far from here that offers both records and instruments. Over there, they've got a couple of Fenders (a black Jazz and a Candy "something" Precision) even if it's no American Standard at all, and a Mexican Standard instead (and you know I can discriminate Candy Apple red, for I once got one) believe me... That is authentically Candy Cola. Is it just "oasis in the desert"?!

 

[dje31]

It reminds me of a Zildjian branding thing: in a Modern Drummer query, a company rep admitted that the A. Rock ride was the same cymbal as the A. Ping ride.

But then, I'm a Paiste guy...

 

[lavmonga]

I always thought Candy Cola had that darker hint of brown, warranting the "cola" in it's name.

 

[dje31]

I thought the "cola" thing was more the corporate red of Coca-Cola, which is why I wasn't sure which was intended to be the darker or brighter one. Based on that premise, Candy Cola would be brighter, while Candy Apple would be darker, more burgundy.

 

[bluesblaster]

This is how it was explained to me by a fender dealer, as I own a candy cola jazz and was curious what the difference was myself. Assuming the red top coat is pretty much the same the diffrence is in the under coat.

Candy cola is Red over gold

Candy apple is Red over silver

I think this is correct because when I hold it to the light you can see the gold coming through.

 

[Wallace320]

@ Bluesblaster:

hands down...

Never looked at it like that ever before...

In the end, it could possibly be! If memory serves... under intense, direct lite, Candy Apple looked like unveiling some
"silver"!

Wow...

Thank you guy...

PS: now that MIM standard P, it's a bit more "alchemy" to me!

Oh: here my G.A.S. again...

 

[Jason Brown]

This is how it was explained to me by a fender dealer, as I own a candy cola jazz and was curious what the difference was myself. Assuming the red top coat is pretty much the same the diffrence is in the under coat.

Candy cola is Red over gold

Candy apple is Red over silver

Fender reportedly changed the silver undercoat of CAR to gold in 1965.

 

[Aethertigris]

Candy Apple is Coca-Cola red, and Candy Cola is Dr. Pepper red.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Candy Apple is Coca-Cola red, and Candy Cola is Dr. Pepper red.

This is a 12 year old thread

 

[dje31]

This is a 12 year old thread

Started by me...imagine my surprise!