Pre-CBS Sonic/Daphne Blue Fender Factory Oddities.

When it comes to Fender custom colour instruments we all have a few favourites.  They may be on the rare or more popular side of custom orders, but I’m willing to bet that Sonic Blue collectively ranks highest in popularity. 

Having studied internal photos and seen Sonic Blue Jaguars/Jazzmasters in person for many years, it wasn’t until 2021 when I bought my first Sonic Blue, which I still own and finally shared on my Instagram this year (2025). 

There are a few factory oddities when it comes to both Sonic and Daphne Blue.  I feel this was due to, after the paint had been applied,  the Fender factory employees didn’t know the difference between Sonic and Daphne Blue by quick inspection.  It is very common to see the infamous red marker pen appear around this time.  I had a chat with Clive Brown about the mysterious red marker pen factory worker, of which he was very familiar with, and said that he has frequently seen the “red dot” appear around 1963-1964.  Consider the below photos, one showing a 1963 Daphne blue Fender Jaguar (sold by Emerald City Guitars as Sonic Blue) with the marker pen under the guard stating “Daphne For Charlie.”  I believe this Jaguar was ordered for a client of Fender and was a VIP order; so who is Charlie?  I didn’t buy this one, but I should have. 

1963 Daphne Blue Fender Jaguar with "Daphne for Charlie" written in red marker pen between the pickups.

 Similar, consider the below photos of a 1963 Daphne Blue Fender Jazzmaster with gold hardware.  The same red marker pen in exactly the same handwriting.  This was sold by Emerald City Guitars correctly as Daphne Blue. 

1963 Fender Jazzmaster in Daphne Blue with red marker pen references between the pickups.

So the next time you see a Daphne or Sonic Blue from around 1963-1964 with some odd looking colour references under the guard (either under or over the finish), think twice before you get on your “vintage guitar lord horse” and assume it’s a refinish, because you’re probably wrong.