Saw Stingy's quote in another thread and thought it a good idea. There have been a ton of threads about modded blacktops recently. Here's my submission, GFS Texas wounds, tort guard, and vintage style tuners.

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Ok. 'splain please. Why did you buy a Blacktop Strat that uses dual humbuckers, amp-type control knobs, and specific cosmetics, and then mod it to something that looks like every other Stratocaster out there? Why didn't you just start with a Mexican Standard Strat and go from there? Makes no sense to me.

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Bill

I think that is a fair question. I was buying used and it came down to the neck for me and I like the color. The neck specs are totally different from a standard (radius, fret size, 22 frets, etc.) and they go for similar prices used. I even like the tint and logo of the blacktop neck vs. the standard.

I paid $320 for mine and sold the loaded guard for $50. I pretty much only mod guitars I buy used. Either way the blacktop is a great platform for modding. If I were buying new I would look at a deluxe players but this project cost me less with similar results, and I find it fun to do.

I pretty much love everything about the blacktop except the electronics. I would also jump on a sonic blue with maple neck if a used one came up. I don't see that many red strats with a tort guard.

edit - I just realized the neck specs are very similar on the new models, but older Standards had the different radius and smaller fret size. I still like the way the 22 fret neck looks .

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I will be part of this club in a few months. I think that the pickups in the Blacktop are too muddy while in positions 1,3, and 5. I am in the middle of purchasing the Floyd Rose HH and plan on turning into a HSH configured Stratocaster.

The reason I chose the Blacktop to do this with is it already comes with the Floyd Rose and the FR Standard is $100 more than the Blacktop. If Fender had a guitar with the specs I am about to switch mine to, I would have bought it instead.

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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. Sounds reasonable.

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Bill

Heres mine.

'11 model with Texas specials.

I want in! Here is mine-before the pups went in




New pups, electronics, bridge assembly, jack, all blacked out including black screws and 2 knobs (master vol/tone) The new pups look identical to the stock ones, they are nickle covered and extremely hot!

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— did that sound like something?

I'm about to join the ranks. Was looking for a good platform for a project, and came across a great deal on a used, Mint 2010 Blacktop in CAR. Went and played one at Guitar Center, and it really wailed (except for the fact that it could have used a better setup). I was honestly hoping to pick one up, and throw in a set of Gibson 57 Classic Plus pickups in it, but I really think the stock pickups will do the trick. Definetly going with new saddles, bridge block, eliminating a tone knob, and going to a 3 way switch. The neck shape is a little thin, but not too bad.

That's cool if the stock buckers do it for you, I have a loaded guard with 'em still...not for me. I got mine used on CL for a sweet deal, they are a good modding guitar IMO!

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— did that sound like something?

Thanks for starting this thread. I kept getting bashed on other threads by the pickup purist. Well I'm gonna keep this going by showing my Strats transformation over a period of days, on this thread. I'll call today's set of pic's, befittingly, "Before..."

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"Bring me four fried chickens, and a coke."
HOUSE-OUT!

Thanks for the topic Kong..it's trendy

here's mine:

EMG DG20's (with 3 EMG SA's active single coils with alnico magnets, EMG EXG & EMG SPC controls)
Fender staggered locking tuners
Fender mint green pickguard
Fender Accessory kit in aged white
Schaller strap locks

This is the first time I EVER saw a Sonic Blue Strat with a Maple fretboard, and it is just about the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Just sheer beauty. I LOVE IT!!

Yeah, I have one of the low radius necks. I thought it felt different as soon as I pulled it from the box. And the frets are definently smaller. I have gotten used to it, but would like one of the newer necks, especially if the frets are larger.

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"Bring me four fried chickens, and a coke."
HOUSE-OUT!

StignyCH, man you got your Strat looking like old school Vegas, back when they had The Rat Pack. Clean, and dressed to impress. That's a baaaad Strat Bro...

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"Bring me four fried chickens, and a coke."
HOUSE-OUT!

+1000 Really nice Strat, Stingy! I'm waiting for one of those Sonic Blue with Maple to come up on Craigslist.

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