White Blonde

[r-senior]

Does anyone know if Fender's white blonde finish is semi-transparent, i.e. you can see the real wood grain underneath, or is the wood grain simulated in the finish?

[Taller]

I've got a White Blonde Fat Tele that reveals the grain of the ash body - but you have to look closely under bright light to see it. When I ordered the guitar, I expected the wood grain to be more evident, but it ends up being almost a see-thru Olympic White.
Fender does not paint wood grain on their guitars, although there was a limited time in the mid-90s' when they offered 'foto-flame' finishes. This was essentially a photograph of flamed maple laid over and clearcoated on the body and neck. They came out pretty darn good, as a matter of fact.

[James Tonguet]

The transparent white finish is available from Guitar Re-Ranch if your in the mood to apply it . http://www.reranch.com

Swamp ash takes quite a bit of sealer so be prepared .

[Uncle rob-Fender]

If i recall correctly ( I DO I DO!!!) the Foto-Flames were on imports only. just sayin!!


regards,
rob

[SteveB334]

White blonde is one of my favorite finishes in a tele, I too wish it was a little bit more transparent

[57darkback]

It's transparent. The grain appears to be almost a light gray. Really nice looking,

[truelasdougblood]

Originally posted by Uncle rob-Fender
If i recall correctly ( I DO I DO!!!) the Foto-Flames were on imports only. just sayin!!


regards,
rob

Foto Flame is a proprietory process of Fujigen Gakki, one of the
co-owners of Fender Japan ( they also make Ibanez guitars, among others); it only appears on guitars made in Japan at the
Fujigen plant.

The French have Jerry Lewis, the Japanese have Foto Flame

[Butch Snyder]

I'm speaking mainly of the MIM 50's models. I've seen them almost transparent to almost opaque where you can't hardly see any grain. I like them in the middle somewhere.

[tombuur]

Perhaps, the see through thing may also change with the age of the guitar?

Went looking for a white blonde Tele this spring while in NY. Most I came across were very white and very little "see through". I finally found one which was a little darker and with the wood structure showing through in more grayish tones. Just like what I wanted. It proved to be a '99 (telling from neck serial number), and perhaps had stood unsold in the shop for a couple of years. Why I don't know, it plays great (perhaps best I've got) and there were no signs of wear, so for practical purposes it was unused. Anyway, I bought it at the old price.

Changing the pickguard (wanted tortoise), I noticed it was a lot whiter underneath that than at the exposed parts. So this I why I wonder if see through is somewhat an aging thing. Or else the newer models are less see through than they used to be.