Is red the easiest solid color to work with on a guitar body?

Fender with its Squier line of guitars recently introduced some new color options, and above is one of them, “Metallic Red” with black pick guard and chromed (or at least looks like chromed) control knob treatment.

Guitar companies like Fender choose their colors very carefully so they can sell the most guitars. You don’t have to do that and can go with any color you want, however there is one truth to be known about body colors:

Red is the easiest color to work with.

One would assume that black would be the easiest color, but it isn’t because you’re limited to what you can do with it. There is no such thing as “hues of black.” Either it’s black or it isn’t. Black is black is black. If you add metallic flake, it’s still black. If you decide to use flat instead of gloss, it’s still black. Anything other than black is gray, including “black flame.”

Red, on the other hand, has many shades that can significantly change a guitar body’s look. From the orange-ish Fiesta Red to “Fire Engine” red to “Brick” Red to “Wine” Red and so on, red can be done in many different ways.

A finished maple fretboard is a gold-like color, and rosewood boards also have red in them (the “rose”), so a red finish accommodates to both of those.

White, black, pearloid and tortoise pick guard color options all work with red.

White, black, chrome and gold control knobs (such as gold-colored Gibson speed knobs) all work with red.

Is red a “can’t go wrong” color?

No. Newcomers to mixing paint for a red finish usually make the beginner’s mistake of mixing it too brightly. But if you mix your red to the proper darkness (meaning not “too orangey”), it should work out fine.

How to avoid having red “trick” you

Red is also one of those colors that can trick you, as it does look different after it cures. More often than not, the best way to judge whether the paint you applied is “truly done” after it has cured is to look at it in sunlight.

Alternatively, you could use a lamp bulb that specifically shines a light, emulating a “sunlight at noon” color.

Daylight = 6500K
Work lamp (long-tube type) = 5000K
Bright White = about 4100K
Warm/Soft White = 2700K (very close to candlelight light color)

Long-tube fluorescent bulbs for work lamp use are almost always 5000K, which is labeled as “Natural White” and is, by design, the most neutral white you can use.

However, it’s not a bad idea to have an architect’s lamp (the kind on a swingarm) on the side with a 4100K CFL bulb in it and use that for additional color testing. Why? Because the slightly-yellower color of that light is more ‘tuned’ to what most people see during the day. Also remember that almost nobody uses 5000K bulbs in their homes and specifically go for the yellower bulbs.

In other words, if the red finish you apply to a body looks good under a 5000K bulb or a 4100K bulb, you can consider it “done” at that point. 🙂

“There’s too many damned red guitars out there!”

…and you would be right. Some people hate red because it’s just so common.

But at least you now know why there are so many of them made. Red is just really easy to work with and looks proper with just about any hardware whether black, white, chrome or gold.

Fortunately for you, there are many different types of red out there. And remember, “red” doesn’t universally mean “bright red.” If you want something red but still have it be unique, the darker hues like Wine Red with a small hint of metallic flake really work well.

Of course, you ultimately decide what color you want when you go to the paint the body. But if you’re riding the fence on what color to go with, remember, red is easy. And sometimes easy is good.

Thinking of going with gold-colored hardware? Consider a red finish

If you’re considering using something like this:

(that’s a Hipshot SuperTone bass bridge, by the way)

…gold-colored hardware typically works well with a red body. Specifically, a darker red body color such as Dakota Red.

Love the red? Hate the red? Post a comment or two and tell us what you think of that body color.