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Hello all,
I am currently putting together a 60's style Strat, in Fiesta Red of course, but I have a problem.
What colour pickguard, pickup covers and knobs etc should I use - 3ply white or mint green?
Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
JB

3 ply for a rosewood neck, single ply for maple

Early 1960s multi-ply celluloid-based 'guards were white when made, but turned green over a period of years. The effect was certainly noticeable by the end of the decade, which is about when collectors and dealers began to remark on it.

Fender had switched to a different material by about 1966 or 1967. The newer material did not age in the same way.

So... it depends on the effect you're seeking.

A "new" early 60s guitar?

White ply.

An aged guitar from 1959 - 1966?

Mint green.

Definitely a three-ply pickguard for a Rosewood board Strat. White is rather stark & bright to my way of thinking, but it's your taste that matters. The Mint one is nice, as it is quite pale & not obviously Green. I believe they also do a pale cream/parchment shade one too. A subtle contrast with the shade of the pickup covers & the knobs looks quite nice. Of course, you could go with a complete contrast & go for brown tortoiseshell, like Jet's P.Bass. I think that works too.

Tony.

The green one will look even greener because of the complementary colour contrast...Quite ugly that is.

I don't know why they call them mint green, because they only go slightly green, even the very old ones, and I find white can look very stark.

Tortoiseshell looks good with some colours, and in my opinion red is one of them.

Gentlemen,
Thank you all for your contributions.
I have sets of 3ply white and 3ply mint p/guards and accessories waiting for the decision to be made.
What to do? Now I have to decide if I want a brand new or aged looking instrument.
I'm leaning a little - just a little towards brand new, since all the components are brand new.
Anyone with some knowledge of star signs reading this will recognise one of the traits of a Libran -
an inability to make a speedy decision.
Just how I got through a 40 year career as a TV director having to make split second decisions, I don't know!!
As for the pickguard, I still don't know, but thanks again for your input.
Cheers,
JB

New Year greetings to all from downunder
My pickguard problem is no more - I made a decision!
The beautiful Fiesta red body now sports a Fender parchment colour pickguard and knobs etc.
I'm really pleased with the look and want to thank all who helped me resolve the situation.
Cheers,
JB

Good choice!

Parchment goes great with red if you're wanting to retain a white guard but not have it quite as stark. I had the same problem with my candy apple red Jazzmaster when I bought it; it came with a white guard & pickup covers that were so stark it looked like a supernova sitting in the middle of the Guitar!

I was actually considering parchment; however I ended up getting hold of a brown tort guard that looked a million dollars with the CAR.