Hey guys...I've posted a few times now about my most recent purchase..and American Special. There's something about this thing...it just is such a great instrument..especially for the money. I've been playing and collecting for 25 years now, and while this is probably the least expensive guitar in my collection, it's getting a lot of play.

It's also something that from day one, I looked at it and said, I'm gonna customize this thing. Nothing major...but definitely make it look (and possibly) sound a little different than stock. For the most part, I don't modify my guitars...with the exception of pickups..if need be. I play, mainly, hard rock and metal...so my first fender (an American Deluxe) with the single coil in the bridge, just wasn't hot enough for me. Simple solution...I love Duncan JBs...and that they make a JB in a single coil profile (JB Jr.), I dropped it in, and in all honesty...I almost like the way it sounds in my Deluxe better than the regular JBs (in a few other guitars).

Anyway..I just wanted to share a few pics of my Special. Some might say it has a SRV vibe...well, yeah...I always dug his signature model, and figured, why not...I had the basic components. So far, I've added white knobs, pickup covers/switch cap, Dunlop strap locks, a "Fender - Corona, California" neck plate, and today I added the Deluxe locking tuners. I'm pretty much done with this guitar now....the only thing I have left is the bridge pickup. The 'Atomic' stocker is ok..but not perfect. I'm considering just going with what I like...the JB...but i have some other pickups in mind...and I'd certainly be open to suggestion. I like DZ tone zones...my Ibanez Prestige has a pretty cool humbucker in it...and my PRS is equipped with Dragon IIs, which I LOVE. I wish they made a pickup in a traditional humbucker style, without the covers. If I could get a Dragon, uncovered, I'd drop that in.

Here's a few pics:





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how much is the JB jr's going for?

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Looks nice.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

I bought a JB Jr. for my other strat...it's a fantastic pickup. Anyone with single coils looking for a little more 'heat', it's perfect. My Deluxe keeps all the crystal clear tone of any strat...but it's got the balls of some of my humbucker equipped guitars. Best upgrade/modification I've done on any guitar.

I got mine at Guitar Center for around 75 bucks:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Seymour-Dun ... 1127478.gc

The only thing that bummed me out a little was that they make it in white and black. There is no 'cream' option. My Deluxe has a cream (or green tinted) pickguard and knobs...so the white JB Jr. sticks out a little. But the trade-off was worth it.

As I mentioned in my first post, I almost like the sound of it better than standard JB Humbuckers. I typically like Seymour Duncan pickups over the other brands...but my experience with them is a bit limited. I've used JBs, 59s (in the neck), and I've had Pearly Gates on another guitar. Does anyone know/recommend another Duncan bridge/humbucker that's got the same kind of balls the JB's got? According to SD's website, some others that I'm considering would include the following:

Duncan Custom™ SH-5 and TB-5
Parallel Axis Trembucker™ Distortion PATB-2
Custom Custom™ SH-11 and TB-11

I'm particularly interested in the Custom Custom....from it's description on SD's website, it sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Sure would love to hear from anyone with some experience with these...

Thanks again.