I recently picked up a 3-tone sunburst American Special HSS and I have a couple questions that, perhaps, some of you Fender veterans may be able to help me out with.

First let me preface this by saying, I've been a fan of all things Fender, and years ago I owned a standard (Japanese version, I think). That guitar is long gone, and over the last year or two, I've acquired an American Deluxe V-neck...which I LOVE!!!
So when it came time to pickup another guitar, I knew I wanted either an American Standard or Special. At the store, they had both, but none of the Standards were in a finish I liked...and only one was humbucker equipped. I should also mention that I've always loved the SRV signature series...but hate the big 'SRV' on the pickguard. I don't particularly like the price tag either...coupled with the fact that they don't come in an HSS config, that model was out of the question. I should also mention that I really dig the vintage trem and retro 70s headstock on the new Amer. Specials. So it was a natural choice for me. I figured with a couple cheap upgrades (i.e. white pickup covers and knobs), I'd have a pretty cool SRV 'tribute' guitar.

So I guess the questions I have are the following. I tend to keep my guitars stock....I typically don't like to modify because I'm well aware that stock guitars can command a real premium when they become collectible. What I'd like to know is, by changing the hardware (once again, the white covers/knobs), in addition to possibly changing out the hardware to gold, would this eventually devalue the guitar. I also added the 'Fender - Corona California' neck plate. Obviously, the parts that I've bought are cheap...and if I ever wanted to sell it stock, I could put them back on. However, if I changed out all the hardware to gold, I'm curious as to what effect that would have on the value.

Perhaps this is a bit trivial...but I'm curious nonetheless.

The other question is in regards to the humbucker in this guitar. I don't hate it...but I'm not in love with it either...and I'm wondering if some of you can give me some suggestions. I tend to like a hot pickup (as I play harder rock music primarily)...this one is pretty hot, but it's not my ideal sound. To give you an idea on what I do really like, currently...I dig Duncan JBs...I like Dmz Tone Zones, and I REALLY like the Dragon IIs in my PRS CE22. Any suggestions as to what might work in this guitar to give me similar tone would be greatly appreciated. Obviously I could put one of the above mentioned pickups in there....but I'm looking for possible alternatives as well.

Thanks in advance for your responses. Once again, I really appreciate it.

Todd

Hi veniculum,

Unless you become famous, any changes that you make to an American Strat will almost always hurt the resale value. All original is best for resale. A possible exception would be if the changes were done at the factory (if that's possible). However, if the changes are just pick guard, knobs, covers or other easily reversed additions, just keep the original parts to put back on if you sell later.

A Jeff Beck Humbucker might be a good choice, they sound phenomenal on a Les Paul.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Also I wouldn't bank on American Special as a future investment if I were you. Modern guitars are just made in way too many numbers, and the only things that have went up in value since say 1980 are the models made in very limited production numbers. You'd be better off buying a Limited edition as a potential investment. Also Humbucker equipped don't seem to command as high prices as the single coil stuff anyway. I say mod to your desire, and as long as you can return to stock you should be fine.

I have the same guitar and also did not like the hb, then I blocked the trem and tweaked settings for awhile and these pickups have really started to come alive. Give it some time and play with it, the settings for my other hb's did not jive with these pickups but I pretty much found what I like. Good luck and enjoy!

Fender is pumping out American Specials in big numbers. They will never become "collectible". Mod it to your hearts content.

Yogi got it right in his post above. Modern Fenders just aren't going to increase in value over time at the same rate that pre-CBS Fenders did. For example, I predict that in 2060 a 2010 American Special will not be worth what 1960 Strat is going for today (even taking future inflation into account).

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

I am with the others on this one. Unless you become famous, it probably will not increase with value with modifications. Also I am a firm believer that one has to do what they need to to their guitar more pleasurable to play. I have a highway 1 and an American Special. Both have modifications to them. Keep your orginal parts in case you want to sale it later down the line for the most money.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah..I get it..I don't expect these guitars to be worth the same thing as the originals...but that's really the case with anything. This could be said for modern cars, motorcycles, guns, etc.
Still, if something is kept long enough, and it's in good condition, it's inevitable that it will be worth something.

I'm a collector of all three items mentioned above (well...not quite cars...but I'll get there), as well as guitars...and I do understand that a 1957 Chevy (taking inflation into consideration) is worth more now than if I were to own a late model Corvette for 50 years...This is not to say that that Corvette won't be valuable...just not as valuable. This has been going on forever. Going back to fender...during the CBS years, Fender put out some lower quality guitars...in much higher numbers. So, while they'll never be regarded or valued as highly as a 50's vintage...they still will get a good buck if it's in good enough shape.

So while I understand this, I still like to think that if I do keep something long enough, it could (could being the key word) be worth something...
And I was mainly asking the question, would adding OEM fender parts to a fender guitar affect the value in any way...regardless of how much the value would be. Obviously, changing out plastic covers is a pretty easy fix..keep the originals, and throw them back on...if a potential buyer wanted that. Where I'm more concerned would be with things like the bridge or the tuners...specifically, if I were to replace the stock parts with gold covered parts, how does that impact the value...in the long run.

I can't stress enough, I don't expect an American Special to have the kind of staying power that a 56 or 57 strat would have...but I'll always be optimistic.

Going back to the issue of the humbucker...at first, I actually liked it...but when I bought the guitar, I was away on vacation and didn't have the ability to make a good comparison between it and the HBs on some of my other guitars. I play, mostly, through a little Line6 Pocket Pod (when I'm just practicing)...once I got home and started plugging my other guitars in, the HB in the Special just didn't hold up (through the Pod or through my rig). So, as most players do, I'm once again on a quest to improve the overall tone of this instrument. I know the Amer. Standards have a different HB (on the HSS models). Does anyone have experience with those (what are they called?....diamondback?) I'm just wondering if there's a significant difference between those 'diamondbacks' and the 'atomics'.

Anyway...thanks again for the replies...I definitely appreciate it...and I certainly understand what you guys are saying. My Special will never be the $50K strat in the glass case at the local vintage shop or giant music superstore. But, once again, it can't hurt to be hopeful.