Best Stratocaster Colors – 11 Most Popular Strat Colors!

I used to work for the Fender dealer in my area. They had warehouses, yes warehouses filled, top to bottom with guitars. Every now and then, we fetched for requested models and we had access to the full inventory.

The number of black strats was just as big as every other color combined. Yes, statistically 50% of all the Fender Stratocaster they shipped out were black.

That got me thinking, which is the best color for a Stratocaster today?

The Fender Stratocaster is a timeless classic. Instantly recognizable and used by some of the all-time greats. I mean, from Jimi Hendrix to Neil Rodgers, from Ritchie Blackmore to Cory Wong, they all play(ed) Stratocasters for a living.

But what is the best color for a Stratocaster today? Are there any new additions to the classics worth checking? Well, Fender has an official ‘instrument finish color chart’ with no less than 99 colors on it, so there are plenty to choose from.

The most popular Fender Stratocaster colors have not changed much since the ‘60s, and for good reason: they look awesome! That said, some new creations might join the “Awesome Stratocaster Colors” group.

Let’s look in more detail at the most popular Strat colors and some more unusual styles that are growing in popularity on modern Strats.

The Classics

First, we’ll look at the all-time most popular colors. It’s easy to see why they have stuck around for so long.

Sunburst with White Pickguard

When first introduced to the world in 1954, the Stratocaster was supposed to be the updated, cutting edge, refined version of the very popular Telecaster. By the time, archtop, big hollow-body guitars were the thing for Jazz players.

Although Fender established itself as the popular guitar maker, pros and serious players were gravitating toward highly-ornamented, stylish Gibsons.

These guitars were obviously sunburst. So, when Leo envisioned the Stratocaster, he chose to make it sunburst by default so that he could venture into that high-end market too.

Later, this idea was taken further with the luxurious Jazzmaster, but that’s a different story.

Sunburst is a classic for a reason. Its subtle brown and golden tones spread out from the middle of the guitar body before gently fading to black, just screaming cool. In the fifties, guitars were painted in a two-tone sunburst finish. It was only in late 1959 that red was introduced.

This is normally paired with a white pickguard which offers a nice contrast but is also often seen with a black or Tortoise shell pickguard for something a little different. There’s a guitar player you might know who goes by the name of John Mayer who ruled the world on board a sunburst strat with a tortoise pickguard.

White with White Pickguard

You must have seen the image many times. A windy morning, a desolated field that once was full of hippies and mud, and a guitarist like no other playing the national anthem. Yes, that’s the image that comes to mind whenever we think of Jimi. And yes, he’s playing his white-on-white strat with a maple fingerboard.

The choice of guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, the white Stratocaster with the white pickguard is still a favorite for many guitar buyers. It’s easy to see why – all white looks slick, bold, and eye-catching!

Plus, for all the Jimi fans out there, his signature model has been out since 1997. You can get the reversed pickup in a regular strat and play your purple haze out.

Black with Black Pickguard

Owner of a unique sense of melody and an infinite sensitivity for tone, David Gilmour is recognized by peers and fans as one of the best guitarists in history. Well, solos like the unforgettable “Comfortably Numb” were made on board a black-on-black Strat.

A Stratocaster that was auctioned for almost four million dollars in June 2019.

But beyond Mr. Gilmour, these guitars are the opposite of Hendrix’s axe, all-black is a popular style that doesn’t seem to be going out of fashion anytime soon. Dark, mysterious, and grungy, it commands a kind of stylish respect.

Speaking of grunge, we’ve all seen the picture of Kurt Cobain’s “Vandalism” black Strat with a humbucker in the bridge position. That’s grunge royalty endorsing it right there. It doesn’t get much more real than that.

And of course, if you’re playing rock music – all black is always cool!

Fiesta Red with White Pickguard

The sixties saw the boom of colorful guitars. Taking inspiration on the automotive industry, Fender presented its instruments in a wide color palette for an extra fee. Moreover, special requests in sparkle colors can be found in this era as well.

Some of those colors were more revolutionary than others and some slowly became timeless classics. Fiesta Red is one of the oldest Fender colors and is still a fan favorite.

For those looking to make a statement, Fiesta Red is an excellent option. This pale, pastel color blends perfectly on stage while exuding a sense of energy and passion. The Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster is a perfect example of a guitar that demands attention but also plays it cool..

Fiesta Red is a color that reflects a player’s spirit. It’s perfect for guitarists who love to perform with intensity and passion. The color’s history is closely associated with artists like Hank Marvin of The Shadows, who popularized the Fiesta Red Stratocaster in the early 1960s.

Lake Placid Blue with White Pickguard

At the time it came out, lake placid blue was completely outrageous. I mean, one thing is the pastel-like vibe of the fiesta red and a very different one is the deep, metallic, Mediterranean blue this guitar oozes. Furthermore, as you move it around it goes from navy blue to a more medium blue that’s just mesmerizing.

Plus, the metallic quality of the paint job made it even more futuristic for the time.

This deep metallic blue has an air of sophistication and elegance. Check out this Fender American Performer Strat to see this stunning color in action (you can get other variants in the same color as well).

This color has a rich, regal quality that can elevate the appearance of any guitar. Lake Placid Blue is perfect for players who want their guitar to make a strong visual impact, and it looks great under stage lights.

Although it’s considered one of the classics, it’s right at the border with the next category. My favorite, the weirdos.

Bold & Unique Stratocaster Colors

Bold Stratocaster colors are meant to make a statement, turning heads and capturing attention with their vibrant and striking hues. These colors often reflect a guitarist’s unique personality and artistic expression.

I mean, don’t get me wrong here. We talked about the good-old white-on-white and black-on-black combinations, and established that they are cool and timeless. Yet, it’s the 21st century, it’s about time we get things going in a wilder direction.

Not eighties-wild, just modern-wild.

Here are some of my favorites.

Mystic Surf Green

For a more modern and unique color option, Mystic Surf Green is a fantastic choice. This color features a pearlescent finish that adds depth and dimension to the guitar. This particular variant of the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster showcases this captivating color.

While lake placid blue is cool to look at and changes with the light, the pearloid quality of this paint job is surely next level. I mean, you can be playing a green, silver or even blueish guitar. That’s not all, the contour under your forearm gets this degradé that looks stunning under the lights with the pearloid finish.

Mystic Surf Green is a color that evokes the spirit of the ocean and the surf culture that has been a significant influence on guitar music throughout the years. It’s perfect for players who want a color that’s both modern and nostalgic.

Please note that ‘Mystic Surf Green’ is different from the regular ‘Surf Green’ color in Fender’s arsenal (you don’t get the glossy finish with it). You can see that one below:

Candy Apple Red with White Pickguard

This color was a Fender invention and one that is made with a combination of paints. Yes, the difference between candy apple red and fiesta or dakota red is that this coat of translucent red paint is sprayed over a golden or silver base. That way, when you move the guitar under the light, you’ll get a moving glow coming from the paint underneath the red.

Likewise, if you’ve ever seen a real one chipped or worn out, you can easily spot the gold or silver underneath.

It’s something slightly less common than the others but still a mainstay when it comes to classic Stratocaster colors.

This is the choice of legendary guitarists such as David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), and Yngwie Malmsteen. It’s what many people picture if you ask them to think of ‘electric guitar,’ and for good reason. The dream of a red Fender Stratocaster was a popular one among English players like Knopfler and Gilmour.

Loud, bright, easy to identify, and still a strikingly cool style, the candy apple red Stratocaster has been a staple of Fender’s official color chart since 1963, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere!

The Player II Series

The Player II series of Fender Stratocasters was introduced in 2024 to offer customers modernized, playable versions of their classic guitars without the ‘vintage’ styled features of older models.

This is a line that offers modern, two-pivot bridges, rolled edges, a 9.5” radius, and beautiful satin finish on the back of the C-shaped neck. Because of this departure from the classic appointments of vintage reissues, the color palette is also modern.

The Player series is available in different color options, leading to some interesting combinations that are stylish and modern.

Hialeah Yellow with White Pickguard

Watch out, Yngwie and Jimi fans out there! Yes, the YJM signature guitar and a few versions of the Jimi Hendrix signature were among the very few Fender guitars to be painted in this color. It’s the kind of shade of yellow your Olympic White would get if you were playing it a lot for many years. Thus, a very sought-after color is now available in a rather affordable line.

An interesting combination and a more subtle and refined look. The soft, warm tones of the buttercream-like Hialeah Yellow lend a nice visual to accompany the music of the many indie and folk bands who often play Strats in this color .

Polar White with Black Pickguard

Polar white is a blazing bright white that really stands out from the crowd. Paired with the black pickguard, the contrast offers a dazzlingly cool color combination that is both unique and eye-catching.

Well, don’t look at me like that, I love Jimi too and his white-on-white is amazing. Yet, this combination surely works in keeping it classic and elegant and modern at the same time.

The American Performer Series

The American Performer Series is a slightly more expensive line of Fender guitars, designed to be faithful to the build, feel, and sound of vintage guitars.

Luckily for us, the company did innovate with these guitars color-wise. There have been some outrageous ones in the past, like the “Penny Stratocaster” (a copper-colored creation with a black pickguard), but I found two in the current lineup that are simply groundbreaking and beautiful.

Honeyburst with White Pickguard

When thinking about a honey or cherry burst guitar, we’re most likely drawn toward another brand. These are the typical choices you have when trying out, say, a Gibson Les Paul. So, it’s kind of odd to see a Stratocaster painted like this, but it works like a charm.

A lot like the timeless classic sunburst, honeyburst features a splash of amber and natural wood pattern, which gradually fades to a reddish brown at the edge of the guitar body.

It’s easy to see why this color is popular – it’s smart, stylish, and is a nod to the classic sunburst, which everyone recognizes. Yet, it also has its own thing, because when you pull out this guitar and walk on that stage, I can assure you a couple of guitar players in the audience will look at each other to talk about your guitar’s finish.

Satin Lake Placid Blue with White Pickguard

Few things feel like satin finish on a guitar body. It makes it smooth and modern and gives you even more desire to pick it up. But that’s far from all with this new color, because it’s finished with a pearloid matte lacquer that turns silver as you move the guitar around.

It’s like the traditional lake placid blue but far more extreme; it takes the concept to the next level.

Plus, the stage lights reflect on the finish and spawn little bits of light that fill the room you’re playing. Believe me, it doesn’t get much more stage-ready than this.

To Summarize

Really, the color of the guitar you buy is totally down to personal preference. But it doesn’t hurt to know what else is popular! Plus, it might happen that you walk into a store, like the one I worked at, and they will try to get you to buy a black one because they have oh, oh so many in stock.

So, doing a little research before going to buy the guitar makes it easier to request for the kind of color you like and make them go to the deposit if necessary. Believe me, when making an investment, you’re entitled to ask for satin lake placid blue instead of setting for whatever’s handy.

Beyond clerks and purchases, if you need inspiration, look to your guitar heroes and see what they play. Fender Stratocasters are a staple of the music world, and the possibilities for colors are almost endless. So, go out there, buy your next favorite Strat, and shock the world every time you walk on stage.

Happy (colorful strat) playing!